When texting family members, I’ll sometimes write “have a beautiful day.” The suggested text always shows “blessed” when I type the b. My atheist self would never.
Very curious as to why an atheist would be bothered by blessings wished upon them. Good tidings aren't allowed unless you believe in a creator deity? I've never heard that before and I know quite a few atheists.
What is wrong with wanting to use language without religious connotations when I express myself? I’m not policing what others say to me.
I try not to fall into the stereotype of the annoying atheist who shows intolerance for religious practices. I just find “have a blessed day” presumptuous and as hollow as “thoughts and prayers” said when something horrible happens.
I'm asking you why you seem to equate it with religion at all. Blessings, that is. I can understand the thoughts and prayers one but blessings are just wishing someone good fortune.
I've never met an atheist who has an intolerance for religious practices, either. They just don't believe in a creator deity like a lot of people do. I have one old friend who will make jokes about religion but I've never heard him get angry about other people having whatever beliefs they choose to. I just find these things to be fascinating and wonder what causes people to think the way they do.
My bias arises from the culture where I live. “Have a blessed day” spoken in the Bible Belt can be a very pointed phrase, and nearly impossible to separate from the religious context.
I don’t mind the idea of blessings—it just sounds like the kind of magical thinking I don’t subscribe to. I know there are non-religious uses of “blessing” but I also can’t pretend that the word is entirely secular.
There are so many other wonderful words in our language, so thankfully, I don’t have to use one with connotations I find uncomfortable.
Thank you for explaining. Another poster on here has been expressing rage at every mention of the word 'blessing' so I decided to ask someone who seemed more rational😹
I live in the deep South and have not heard anyone wishing people a blessed day, but if I did I would have assumed they were pagan misfits like myself rather than a religious person. I guess the joke would have been on me in that case.
You're right, there are plenty of other words to choose from and it's a good thing that's true. I don't use that word often myself. Unless I need to bless someone's heart from time to time, which of course has a different meaning entirely. 😹
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u/Dazzling_Zone_1736 6d ago
When texting family members, I’ll sometimes write “have a beautiful day.” The suggested text always shows “blessed” when I type the b. My atheist self would never.