Atheist , tell me truly , what you feel immediately when some tell you " god bless you "?

Question

truly I feel like kicking on his a**.

I really need medical attention.. this is becomming serious :-(

Answer 1

eh, i don't think people actually mean the words they say.

Answer 2

As a Christian who believes in the Bible we are not to say God bless you if you don't believe because that can become a curse. If I don't know your a Atheist I mean it out of kindness not to provoke you. So Have a Good day or is that another one you don't like?

Answer 3

I feel fine. I simply say, 'Thank you,' and leave it at that. Why should anyone be offended? It is ingrained in our culture, and in the part of the USA where I came of age, the Deep South, it is heard so often that one would be climbing trees if he (or she) felt as you say you do. I have been an atheist since age 9 (I'm now 71), and to rile me, a good deal more would be needed--a demented Fundy telling me I was going to burn in hell, for example.

Answer 4

i had a hilarious moment over the weekend that relates to your question.

there were some 'soul winners' who came to my door who were from my parents' church. my roommate answered, and she was ready to give them lip when i showed up at the door. someone had said the name of the church, so i was curious and went over to see what was going on. so they took one look at me, said 'you're elder so-and-so's daughter! well, i am sure you are sharing the gospel with your friend here. we don't need to. God bless you.' all i did was smile at them and wave as they left. my roommate and i had a royal laugh.

but to answer your question, i was really annoyed with the whole 'bless you' thing. at the same time, i felt sorry for them because i certainly have been in their shoes back when i was a christian, and it's a horrible thing to feel like your a** will burn in hell if you don't do this.

Answer 5

It doesn't bother me, since it's usually said out of habit, not out of religiosity. In the rare cases when it is clearly intended as a fundie threat, I simply point out that I don't worship or want to be blessed by a sadistic, immoral, killer God, and that usually shuts them up immediately.

Answer 6

If an atheist gets offended by something they KNOW is a kind gesture, regardless of it's origin, they're trifling... that's absolute lunacy.
That means someone needs to grow up, and listen to what someone means , sometimes, more than what they "say"....
If I know someone is wishing me well, be it a Pagan, Wiccan, or any other belief, I accept that as a kind gesture, their wording doesn't necessarily matter.

Answer 7

I'm not an atheist, but I'm not religious either. Still, it doesn't bother me to hear "God bless you" because it comes from an honest place in the person's heart, and what harm can it do?

I personally say "Gezundheit" though.

Answer 8

I take it for what it was meant: A knee jerk reaction comment. It's usually well meant, and I say "thank you." I usually say the German "gesunhiedt" which just means good health.

I don't think they're trying to convert you, or shove religion down your throat. It's kind of cultural.

Answer 9

God bless you.

*runs off to avoid a swift kick in the hind-quarters*

Answer 10

I feel good, as if someone has wished me well. It's kind of like when my Jewish friends have wished me Happy Hannuka. I'm not Jewish, but it's nice to be wished the season's greetings - kinda like when Christians wish people Merry Christmas. You don't have to be of the religion to appreciate the sentiment.

Answer 11

If I think it is appropriate I like to tell them that if there really is a god they would do better to instruct him to help the people that really need it.

Most of the time it is just a conditioned reaction to a sneeze and I just think "whatever"