Can an Atheist say "God Bless"?
By josefina
@josie_ (9763)
Philippines
June 22, 2017 6:13am CST
One of my cousin who is a devout Catholic always ends her text messages with the phrase "God Bless".
I use to be a Catholic but through the years have come to lost faith in the church as well as it's teachings.
I am now at the next stage where questions about the existence of "God" perplex me.
I am a "conflicted" atheist. 
Yet I still respond to her text with a "God Bless" of my own.
If you google the phrase "God bless", it is define as an expression of good wishes on parting.
So...technically I don't have to believe in God to express a farewell greeting or good wishes on someone.
The world would be a better place if everyone agreed on one unified concept of God, instead of the present religious tension and fragmentation cause by disagreements on whose "God" is the true God.
Exchange the word "God" in "God bless you" with the name you know God by, it works just fine. Especially as a response when someone sneeze.
ACHOO!
Photo Image: Jeroen_ flickr(Creative Commons)
Yet I still respond to her text with a "God Bless" of my own.
If you google the phrase "God bless", it is define as an expression of good wishes on parting.
So...technically I don't have to believe in God to express a farewell greeting or good wishes on someone.
The world would be a better place if everyone agreed on one unified concept of God, instead of the present religious tension and fragmentation cause by disagreements on whose "God" is the true God.
Exchange the word "God" in "God bless you" with the name you know God by, it works just fine. Especially as a response when someone sneeze.
ACHOO!
Photo Image: Jeroen_ flickr(Creative Commons)9 people like this
13 responses
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
22 Jun 17
I will sometimes say things like "Oh my god" or "thank god" even though I'm not religious and don't particularly believe in the Abrahamic god. I'm not sure what I believe, if anything, but sometimes using phrases that refer to god is ingrained as a habit.
3 people like this
@josie_ (9763)
• Philippines
22 Jun 17
@Srbageldog _ It's very likely even atheists will utter those words during stressful moments.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72285)
• Philippines
22 Jun 17
I just say "bless you" without the God.
3 people like this
@josie_ (9763)
• Philippines
22 Jun 17
@toniganzon _ Works just fine without the "God".
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16534)
• China
22 Jun 17
I am an atheist and don't believe in God ,ghost and next life,etc.We just say "goodby",when we take leave of my friends.
2 people like this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16534)
• China
23 Jun 17
@josie_ Far from stamping out religious belief,we have adopted a free religious belief policy.My deceased Mum was a convinced Christian.
1 person likes this
@josie_ (9763)
• Philippines
22 Jun 17
@changjiangzhibin89 _Although the Communist Party of China took control of the country in 1949. They were not able to stamp out religious belief (or superstition) totally. Buddhism and Taoism is deeply embedded in Chinese culture and tradition.
1 person likes this
@PatZAnthony (14752)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
1 Jul 17
While a writer for the Examiner, one subject that was interesting for me to write about was why an atheist would celebrate Christmas. As this is a holiday many feel is based on Pagan teachings, an atheist might feel just fine doing what some Christians do.
Anyone could say God Bless, as God is not a name but a title and who is there to stop an atheist from doing so?
1 person likes this
@PatZAnthony (14752)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
2 Jul 17
@josie_ We know many who don't do these things because of their religion. Everyone gets to choose.
1 person likes this
@josie_ (9763)
• Philippines
1 Jul 17
@PatZAnthony _Just because a parent is an atheist shouldn't be the reason for not giving their children the opportunity to enjoy the festivities (especially opening their presents).
1 person likes this
with nuns), I have been told never to mention the name of God if not necessary, so no "God bless you" for an achoo.
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
22 Jun 17
bless ya! i'm more'f a believer 'kin to the native americans. i fella outta the church years 'go (southern baptist) 'n 've met so many from diff'rent religious backgrounds who's views disappoint me's well. they've twisted the good 'nto what pleases 'em, what they think'll make folks 'behave' better 'n 've gotten 'way from that which's tangible.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
26 Jun 17
@josie_ i agree with ya, hon. mankind 'tis prone to twistin' that which's beautiful 'n pure 'nto ugliness to suit their moods 'n desires.
1 person likes this
@josie_ (9763)
• Philippines
24 Jun 17
@crazyhorseladycx _Even if I no longer belong to any church that does not mean I have completely abandon my search for "God". It's hard to completely deny the possibility of a creator when you look at nature in all it's majesty. It is what man do to others which cause most of the doubt in God.
1 person likes this
@quantum2020 (12040)
• Ciudad De Mexico, Mexico
22 Jun 17
It could work with or without. I like to say God bless you
1 person likes this
@josie_ (9763)
• Philippines
23 Jun 17
@quantum2020 _Mexico like the Philippines was once colonize by Spain. We share the same Catholic faith that the Spaniards brought over.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
23 Jun 17
i like the 'bless you' and 'stay blessed 'i read here. i think most of us mean well/try to be respectful.
1 person likes this
@josie_ (9763)
• Philippines
24 Jun 17
@hereandthere _Greetings and expressions of goodwill is a universally accepted practice.
1 person likes this
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
27 Jun 17
I'd appreciate it very much if members who don't know me, stopped writing 'God bless' for me.
I live in a part of the country where the normal, everyday way of greeting each other is (translated) "[May] God greet you". I never respond with the same words. I only say 'Good day' or 'Hello'.
1 person likes this
@josie_ (9763)
• Philippines
22 Jun 17
@thehousewife _We may find it funny now. But it must have been a frightening thought to those early Christians
1 person likes this
@Gwynivar (13)
• United States
26 Jun 17
Traditionally, 'God bless you' after sneezing was because your heart skips a beat when you sneeze. It was thought during that point, you could be possessed by demons, so it was to protect you. Other cultures offer something more like a congratulations, because you survived.
I love trivia.
I believe it's polite to respect someone's beliefs and possible greetings etc, cultural or religious. Culture may require you to respond in kind or be seen as rude. Religious responses however, are your choice and are not required unless you decide too do that.
1 person likes this
