So people know you are an atheist... but they still give you birthday cards that say that God made you...?

Question

that he gave you a purpose and that because of that you are special....


would that bother you?

Answer 1

If there is cash inside, I normally don't give a damn what the card reads.

Answer 2

I'm an agnostic rather than an atheist but I don't practice any religion.

I have nothing against birthdays at all. Some religious-themed cards annoy me a little but I don't get bent out of shape about it. I know people are just giving cards that appeal to them and aren't trying to annoy me.

Like my grandmother who never gave a gift but, instead, gave a card stating that there were catholic masses being said in my name in lieu of a gift. It's not really what I'd choose but I know she meant well!

Answer 3

lol I my birthday was actually a couple weeks ago and I did not get any cards of that nature. Most of the people I receive cards from are family and not many of them know what my religious beliefs are.

If I received a card of that nature from a friend or family member who knows I am atheist, I would be offended because I would feel like they were purposefully undermining or downing my beliefs.

If I received that type of a card from a friend or family member that does not know what my religious beliefs are or assumes I am Christian, I would not be offended in the slightest bit. I know their intentions would be pure.

Answer 4

I'd find it even more amusing if a Satanist gave a Christian a birthday card that exhorted the Christian to celebrate this "most holy of all days." A tolerant Christian might shake his head, but an intolerant one would cry blasphemy. Depends on the person, I suppose!

Answer 5

Not at all. I thoroughly understand their beliefs. I don't have to follow them. Many think that Atheists go out of their way to avoid churches, that they cringe at seeing a cross. That's just plain ignorance.
I appreciate the beauty of a large stone church. There is nothing prettier than a small country church in a rustic setting. Because a person has no religious superstitions does not mean that he avoids those who do. Just about all of my friends are church goers.

Answer 6

No more than my giving them birthday cards that say their god is a delusion and they are the product of a chance meeting between two people with raging hormones.

Answer 7

"Never attribute to maliciousness what can be perfectly explained by stupidity"

This applies equally to Buddhists or Pagans or any follower of a religious or spiritual path other than Christianity - most of the Christians who send you this kind of thing are just lazy or insensitive, not actively trying to convert you.

Some, in fact, WILL be doing Hallmark Evangelizing, so to speak...but they will be the minority, so just shrug it off.

Of course, if you're feeling a little ornery, you can send THEM birthday cards that reflect YOUR religious belief, or lack thereof.

Generally speaking, I consider it a compliment that they feel that their Higher Source thinks well of me; I am happy to get birthday well-wishes from pretty much anyone, and if they express that in terms of their religious belief, that's OK with me.

Answer 8

It irritates me, yes, but I don't usually say anything to them about it. If people give you cards like that, knowing that you are an atheist, then they are doing it to be condescending, and they'll expect you to react accordingly. I don't give them the satisfaction.
(The only exception is the cards I get from my best friend, she sends me stuff like that sometimes, but she just does it to be funny. I'll send her religious cards back where I'll cross out the names "God" or "Jesus" and write in "Flying Spaghetti Monster" or "The Crocoduck".)

Answer 9

I have gotten them in the past. I wrote back that I no longer need cards like that. I never heard from those people again. Not a great loss for me.

Answer 10

I get bottles of booze for my birthday.. can't say I have ever even seen a birthday card like that.