How can Christians not see that this is cruel and offensive?

Question

OK, here's the story, a before an exam a friend of mine wished this girl "good luck." She responded with the following tirade/sermon:

"I'm not superstitious! I don't believe in luck, I believe in a God that gives me abilities and my own work to use them! Keep your superstitions!" and so on...

Now, anyone with a good understanding of English knows that the word "luck" refers to whatever happens outside your control (whether by cause and effect, fate, a God, etc.), and not to magical influence OF luck. Even if someone doesn't understand that, it should well known that "good luck" is an expression for wishing someone well -- take it that way is ridiculously literal minded!

Can't they see giving this kind of smart-***, condescending remark is repay good with bad -- just like returning a complement with an insult, or hitting someone for helping you? How can these people not see what there doing, or wonder why so many people find them obnoxious because of things like this?

My appologies, I meant some Christians, not all -- I've suspected certain fundamentalist RR types. I was reminded of this by this question posted by another Y!A user:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ak8kUX0EwX7QvCoI03DelTbty6IX?qid=20070731094950AAJzbek&show=7#profile-info-AA10182088

The etymologies of luck are interesting, and provide some background. However, I still think people should interpret things according to current usages, not the etymologies -- many words had different meanings in the past (nice meant naughty in the middle ages!) and many expression are non-literal ("turn on" has nothing to do with rotation or being on top of). I wish people would appreciate kindness, and thats all.

Answer 1

Some people just don't know any better. It is inherent in many religions that if you don't believe the way I do, you will go to hell. So they sometimes attack, instead of leaving it be until they find someone who want to hear what they have to say. It's ugly to watch, or experience. They don't see that with this kind of attitude, they are pushing others away, and this is the exact opposite of what they want.

Blessed Be

Answer 2

You are right. Your friend spoke with good intentions and was met with a very unchristian attitude. Regardless of what she was saying or meant to say, her attitude canceled out the message. Too bad she missed an opportunity to be gracious as well as kind.
Yes many Christians are guilty of falling into word games. I guess many people in general do that but it certainly doesn't do much for their cause does it? An insult is nothing more than a verbal slap in the face.
I am a Christian but if someone cares about me and whatever I'm attempting to wish me luck at it, I am grateful.

Answer 3

Luck can be synonymous with chance or coincidence. For instance if you roll the dice and have good luck, you will get a good outcome. She meant this. "Luck" is just being fortunate enough to win when you have unfortunate odds. Providence, or what you call fate, is when a force (particularly a spiritual force/divine being) caused it to happen.

Just for instance there was a great fog that covered George Washington's crossing the Delaware. A secular person could scientifically explain this and how fog happens, but a spiritual person concludes there was some kind of divine intervention as to WHY it happened.

There is a big difference. Conversely, a spiritual person may be offended if something they believe to be Providence, you just call "good luck" or fortune, or good coincidence. THAT is offensive to the spiritual person.

Answer 4

It was rude of the person to go into a tirade and not Christian like behavior.

However, the expression derives from the time when people believed in the Roman god named Luck. He decided what happened to people.

To say good luck, is to imply that we live in a random universe and that God is not in charge of what goes on. My adult niece, who is not a Christian, got offended when I said I would pray for her, so I don't say that to her anymore.

It would be nice if we could all be a little more tolerant of each other.

Answer 5

basically it was wrong of her to force herself
and beliefs on him but not to express her beliefs....
she could have said thank you I appreciate it but hey
you know what else I use for luck or good results...
Yeah it's Jesus.... Us christians shouldn't be
shoving our beliefs down people's throat especially
not by judging like this lady did with her comdemning
of this persons superstition... this person didn't come
up to her thinking oh haha my beliefs good luck you
Christian haha superstitions are my beliefs.... NO !!!!
Also she could have just had a bad day and lashed out
it happens it's called being a human.......
Instead encourage people in Christ show them by
the way you live that he exists forgive and give it
to Christ he'll help you with the forgetting part.....

Answer 6

Things are not always what they seem. Such is the word Luck. If one does a study on the word, "Luck" you would learn it came at least in part, from the name, "Lucifer". And no real Christian with any understanding would use the word, as the world does.

Answer 7

I see it. Why do you think ALL Christians are like that because of a few instances? That is as unfair as what you say was done to your friend.

I find your generalization obnoxious. You do not know every Christian in the world and so are in no position to judge us.

How hard would it be for you to say SOME Christians?

It's ridiculous for you to make this statement, really. We are not all so "literal minded" as this girl was.
If you would give us half a chance, you would find that many of us are good people, not the monsters you make us out to be.

Have a good evening.

Answer 8

Luck is reference to a Roman god. If luck was with you when something good happened you had luck, if something bad happened then kuck wasn't with you.

Answer 9

Because they're not open minded, and take things literally.
What can you do, some people just don't want to change and see the 'bigger picture' in life.
Sad and unfortunate.

Answer 10

That is a bit over the top...as a Christian, I would have appreciated the sentiment and thanked you!

And that would be like an athiest going on and on when the Christian says "God bless you" after he sneezes! LOL. Don'tcha just wish we could all be gracious with each other - we're all in this together!.