I thought I had gotton on the train to frreper-ville not the train to NYC.

[tk2kewl]

The freaking conductor on the LIRR said "Have a blessed weekend" over the PA twice. :grr:

[Poppyseedman]

1. If that's the worst thing that happened to you

I'll call it a good day

[ret5hd]

2. bless you

(sorry couldnt help it)

[beam me up scottie]

4. who sneezed?

:evilgrin:

[beam me up scottie]

3. That ranks right up there with being told

"I'll pray for you"
Anyone have any snappy comebacks?

[Poppyseedman]

5. I always tell them

Great, you will pray for me? Let's do it right now.

Pretty funny excuses.

[beam me up scottie]

14. I should thank someone who thinks I need to be

prayed for?
No thanks, I'll be keeping better company in the 7th level of hell than in their version of heaven.

(sorry, supposed to be in response to post from GiovanniC)

[GiovanniC]

27. What Harm Does It Do You?

Honestly?

[donsu]

29. it harms our peace of mind

we don't like religious people foisting their religion on us.


and just what is a 'blessed day'?

[GiovanniC]

38. How Is That "Foisting Their Religion" On You?

I've had spiritual "non-religious" people tell me they were going to send positive thoughts my way, too, but I didn't flip a fucking lid about it.

And I don't tell people I'm going to pray for them or that I want them to have a blessed day, either. But it seems like just a nice gesture to me, just a nice sort of thing to say.

Anyway, have a blessed day I hope you choke on a chicken bone today.

[beam me up scottie]

41. See my post #40.

nt

[GiovanniC]

How About, "Thanks"

Just a thought.

[ldf]

72. "How About, "Thanks""

because i am not a liar, and will not lie just to make you comfortable.

have you ever heard, give an inch, take a mile.

that is exactly what they are doing.

it's not just "bless you" or "have a blessed day".

they think they now have the MANDATE to push their crap on everyone around them, and either we willingly accept it or "they" are being persecuted due to their religous beliefs.

what a crock of shit!

[AllegroRondo]

7. "dont waste your time"

[xpat]

8. That's really "I'll prey on you". n/t

[beam me up scottie]

20. That explains the greedy look in the eye as well as

the salivating.

[mattclearing]

11. Make it snappy, God has better things to do. n/t

[hootinholler]

47. Yep...

Thank you, may Mother Earth hold you to her breast, and Father Sky watch over you.

On the use of bless, a lot of my Wiccan friends say have a blessed day, or blessings to you.

-Hoot

[beam me up scottie]

54. Very true, just who is doing the blessing

is definitely subject to interpretation.

[DearAbby]

66. snappy comebacks? How about you will sacrifice a Puppy on your alter

for them?

I usually say, if the person is genuine, thank you for your kind thoughts. Sort of belive that positive energy of thoughts do make a difference...even if it is only in my own mind.

[beam me up scottie]

78. The puppy thing might get rid of jw's when the come knocking.

True enough about good thoughts if that's what they are. If they are praying for me because I'm "lost" or whatever the hell they call people like me, then it's a damn insult. I have been "preyed" on by zealots for years, it hasn't worked yet but it has made me rather pissy.

[kiki]

68. The worst one

is when you say, "I don't believe in God"...

...and they say, "But he believes in you".

[beam me up scottie]

76. Yes, LOL, because he told them that personally, right?

Just like * has a heart to heart with jebus every morning so jebus can tell him how to run the country.
scary.

[kiki]

91. Careful scottie

Making off-colour comments about Jesus H Bush while your post count is 666 could be tempting fate...

[beam me up scottie]

92. LOL!

I live dangerously, what can I say?
(besides, if things get too dicey, Scottie can just beam me up!)
:evilgrin:

[ldf]

71. i always say

don't waste your breath. i find you praying for me absolutely offensive.

edit, dropped a word

[beam me up scottie]

74. They should have already realized I'm a lost cause.

If fundies would spend more time DOING good things instead of crowing about how righteous they are... nevermind, I guess they wouldn't be fundies anymore, would they?

[HuckleB]

6. I dunno.

I don't know any Freepers who would actually offer such a kind wish (however biased and self serving) to anyone.

[beam me up scottie]

17. I don't think it's freepers although I can never be sure.

I live in a red state and hear this often.
It's kind of like getting a sympathy card when nothing's wrong with you.

[HuckleB]

23. In a lot of places, it's like saying "have a good day,"

or "enjoy the weekend." It may be more old school, as I know my older relatives have often said something similar. I just don't know if it's necessarily something sinister. I've never taken it that way, at least.

[UdoKier]

9. Isn't "Blessed" a Wicca/pagan thing?

Not necessarily freeperish. I hear the Wiccans/pagans like the expression "blessed be"

[yodermon]

15. Well! ya don't say.

google: "blessed be"

http://www.google.com/search?q=%22+blessed+be%22&sourceid=mozilla-search&start=0&start=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official

[LizMoonstar]

10. In my (limited) experience, many pagans say that as well.

(edit: thank you post #9 - beaten!)

[bryant69]

12. That proves more than ever the need for a law

to ban public expressions of religious sentiment.

If that sort of thing could happen to you, think about the millions of others who might suffer a similar fate!

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[bigmonkey]

21. You can't be serious!

Laws banning speech? This must be a joke, right?

[bryant69]

22. Yes it is a joke.

[TheFarseer]

13. Better just to play along

For HS graduation, one of fmom's friends(a crazy christian with the anti-abortion billboard in her yard and everything) gave me a little metal statue of Mary to put on the dash of your car with the inscription, "Our Lady of the Highways" I sh*t you not! I just said, "Thanks, that's so nice of you to think of me" while trying to only laugh on the inside.

[beam me up scottie]

19. hmmmmm, let's see,

how about a list of things you can do with a metal "our lady of the highways" statue...?

[donsu]

33. I would have laughed out loud and said no thank you

nt

[SeveneightyWhoa]

16. Who cares?

Why does this bother you so much?

And how does someone saying "have a blessed weekend" make them a freeper? You know, there are religious liberals/Democrats too. Please open your mind.

[ScreamingMeemie]

25. Thank you! Thank you! I like to draw my judgements from political

standpoints, and not religious. Otherwise, we're playing their game. :yourock:

[tk2kewl]

28. I'd rather not have a public employee pushing his religion on me

[VTMechEngr]

32. Which religion? Dude, its just a phrase.

Its like saying Bless you when someone sneezes. Its whining about stupid cultural things like this that makes Good liberal Christians (the real ones) think we are anti-religion. We have bigger fish to fry. Try evolution/creationism, myths of our founding fathers, and spread of fundamentalism.

He wasn't pushing his religion on you any more than I am when I say Bless you to someone who sneezes. Its a cultural greeting. You are never going to get rid of them. Even Good bye has religious conotations.

Its time we focus on the more important stuff.

[donsu]

34. saying 'bless you' after a sneeze is stupid

nt

[beam me up scottie]

39. I always thought so.

Didn't they start saying that because they believed that a person was possessed by demons when they sneezed(or something like that)?
In my family we always said "gezundheit"

[GiovanniC]

46. Yes, Because Gesundheit is Soooo Much Better Than Bless You

For that reason...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gesundheit

Another superstitious explanation is that it was a belief that sneezing opened up an area in one's body through which evil spirits could enter. Saying gesundheit was a form of a blessing with which to keep out demons while the body was defenseless.

[beam me up scottie]

49. Say what? Dude, gezundheit means "to your health".

1 entry found for gesundheit.
ge·sund·heit P Pronunciation Key (g-zntht)
interj.
Used to wish good health to a person who has just sneezed.



dictionary.com

MUCH more appropriate, IMHO, especially if you're german.

[ldf]

77. do you know what a publican is?

the scriptures tell people to pray in private.

they also mention the publcians, who pray in public for the purpose of being heard, so that others will think "how godly they are", when it is usually just the opposite. not only is it pride, a deadly sin, but a false pride.

somewhere along the way the "personal" aspect of religion got lost.

now it is a tool, a club, to beat people over the head with.

those people are the last people jesus would identify with.

i don't want them using ME to continue to bastardize a perfectly good philosophy, even if it is one who's basic premises i question.

[DistantWind88]

18. Come to Washington DC

They use it all the time on the metro here, and I'm pretty sure it ain't freepers doin' it...

[ScreamingMeemie]

24. After being raised in the Catholic Church, I still cannot shake myself

of saying "bless you" when somebody sneezes. You know, I really think we should pick our battles here folks...and that they should be the bigger ones. I would bet the conductor didn't even realize what he said. I'm as liberal as the next guy, but sneeze in front of me and your getting blessed by reflex. :hi:

[OneMoreDemocrat]

26. If he had said "Get off my fucking train, go fuck yourself"........

would you have been less offended?

[donsu]

30. you are being silly

nt

[lonestarnot]

31. LOL! Yeah... Democrats can have a blessed week too! Freepville ain't

taking that from me!

[Freebird12004]

37. LOL

B-)

[beam me up scottie]

42. In lieu of "I'll pray for you", HELL yeah.

I would expect no less from a New York transit worker (before I get flamed my dad is a native New Yorker and I LOVE the city) not to mention it would be less judgemental.

[HootieMcBoob]

35. Sounds like a Wiccan to me

Aren't they the ones who are always saying "blessed"?

[SpaceCatMeetsMars]

36. Stuff like that

makes me roll my eyes too when I hear it. That's because I've had a lifetime of my mother and her fundamentalist friends and relatives telling me they are praying for me and so on.

They mean well, but they always manage to imply there is something wrong with me. They always act like they are shocked that I am still married, for example. They can't imagine that liberal, artistic people can have normal lives.

[beam me up scottie]

40. That was exactly my point.

I could "just mean well" too and tell someone that they are fat and stupid looking but "Speaking from experience I can tell you how to fix yourself"
Think that would go over well?

[GiovanniC]

43. Telling Someone You Will Pray For Them Is Different

Than telling someone they are deficient.

[beam me up scottie]

44. Really. What's the diff?

Why do I need someone to pray for me? What is it that compels someone to tell me that? If they really think I need them to direct their god to "help" me, why not just pray WITHOUT telling me they are doing it?
I grew up in New England and I'm sure many christians have prayed for me(as well as others) plenty of times but none of them ever felt the need to tell me about it. It is rude and arrogant.

[GiovanniC]

45. Some People Actually Like the Feeling

Of knowing that there are people out there who care about them. Telling someone to have a blessed day or that you will pray for them or whatever does help make them feel as though they are connected to other people and that they are cared about in this world.

I don't do it, and I don't really care if anyone prays for me or tells me to have a blessed day... but I sure wouldn't freak out about it.

Damn.

[beam me up scottie]

48. Expression of dislike is "freaking out"?

If you don't tell people you will pray for them then you must be more sensitive to the beliefs (or lack of) of others. I really do try not to be offended because these people want me to know they are trying to "help" me. I just don't appreciate their presumption that I need their help.
I am sorry if you are offended because I think somebody telling me that they'll pray for me seems awfully presumptuous. Again, if christians want to pray for me until the cows come home, they can knock themselves out, I don't care-as long as they don't TELL me about it.
I am not the only one who feels this way, trust me. I don't want to have to censor my opinions on du, it's bad enough I have to do this everyday IRL.

[GiovanniC]

56. The Original Poster Was So Offended By the Phrase "Have a Blessed Day"

That he decided he was in Freeperville, called the train conductor a freeper, and came here to write and tell us how offended he was. All over what appears to me to be a relatively polite gesture.

I'm a Christian although I haven't been to church in about a year. These people who want God in the pledge of allegiance in schools (I personally don't think there should be ANY pledge of allegiance in schools), the ones who want the 10 Commandments in schools and courtrooms, et cetera... they bug me as much as you. And although there aren't really any situations where I would be offended by "have a blessed day", there's definitely situations where I would be offended if someone says "I will pray for you". For example:

NOT OFFENSIVE:
ME: My mom is having a tumor removed next week and I really hope she's okay.
THEM: I hope everything is okay too. I will pray for you.
ME: Thank you.


OFFENSIVE:
THEM: Why haven't I seen you at church lately?
ME: Church has never been a big thing for me. I can be a Christian without regular church attendence.
THEM: You will very likely burn in hell. I will pray for you.
ME: Fuck off.

[bloom]

58. People could also just say

"Have a nice day", "Have a good day", etc.


On the one hand someone could get overly wrapped up in it all and take it too seriously.

On the other hand - if someone wanted to extend pleasantries to strangers - it seems more pleasant to not assume that the strangers share ones belief system.

[GiovanniC]

64. What Belief System Does "Have a Blessed Day" Belong To?

Or "I will pray for you?" Lots of different religions have blessings, prayer, et cetera. I don't know... I guess to me it doesn't necessarily imply that YOU believe in it... just that they do and that's their way of saying "have a nice day".

On the other hand, I think some people here just live to complain about things. Maybe telling someone to "Have a good day" would be met with similar outrage.

TRAIN GUY: "Have a nice day!"
POSTER: "You presumptuous bastard! How dare you tell me to have a nice day! As if to imply that my day is not already nice! In fact, it's like you're telling me I wouldn't have a nice day if you didn't order me to! Do you like ordering people around, you Freeper piece of shit!? Just like a Freeper to try to impose your own viewpoints on me, you fucking fascist! You know what, I'll show you I don't HAVE to have a nice day if I don't want to, and you cannot make me!"

[bloom]

84. I wonder what (fundy) Christians

would think if bus drivers, etc. said to them "Blessed Be" and they was knew it was a Wiccan greeting?

Do you think they would be happy?




I personally would not care and would be happy to accept whatever greeting someone wanted to extend as long as it wasn't hateful and as long as I didn't feel like they were trying to be "preachy" or something.

[beam me up scottie]

65. I completely agree with you on the offensive vs. not offensive thing.

If something bad has happened to me or a loved one, a simple "I'll pray for you and/or your loved one" is indeed a kind sentiment. I would thank the person for their good intentions because that's what they are.
Unfortunately I have had more experience with the latter, usually after I tell someone I'm not christian(my ex-mother-in-law was a rabid born-again; if praying could have converted me I would right now be running around gleefully whacking sinners upside the head with my bible!) I don't usually discuss my atheism in conversation without being asked because it does seem to piss some religious people off, they act as though I'm dissing their faith. It's weird but I get the same reaction from some people when they find out I'm a vegetarian, it seems to make them defensive for some reason.
I sometimes feel as though I'm a second class citizen and it could just be that this area needs more diversity. I have been pleasantly surprised by many young christians down here, they are not only tolerant but very curious about other faiths (or lack thereof) and cultures. They seem to understand that people who are different are not a threat to their faith.
peace (no offense)
;)

[BlueJazz]

50. Those kind of People deserved to be smashed in the face..

...with a 2 by 4.

[KittyWampus]

57. You Either Have Issues Or A Sarcastic Sense Of Humor

???

[w4rma]

63. Check that BS at the door, guy. (nt)

[ultraist]

51. People say that here in the South a LOT

It's a Christian thing

It used to bug the shit out of me because they are assuming I believe in "blessed" when they say it. I tune it out now and respond with, have a nice day.

When someone says, 'I will pray for you' or 'have a blessed day', they are assuming that you believe that prayers have power and that there is a God (as they know it).

I would not say, Praise Allah to a Christian person. I don't assume that everyone believes as I do (or don't).

To assume is to be presumptious.

[beam me up scottie]

53. Thank you.

Have a blessed anything really doesn't get my goat anymore either, but as an atheist I do get tired of the assumption that I am a christian. I know not all christians are so presumptuous but I have noticed that bigots do the same thing. I can't believe the number of times someone has made a racist comment to me thinking I would agree. grrrrrrrr Let's just say they don't make that mistake twice.
In no way am I comparing christians to bigots, well, okay, maybe just the fundies...

[Clark2008]

52. Oh, don't be so sensitive.

There's nothing wrong with people practicing their own faith.

But, I do have a question. Did he/she say "blessed" or "bless - ED." The reason I ask is that we Southerners say it with the extra syllable and don't mean a thing by it. It's just a form of slang, endearment, even.

Like, when we're pissed off at a slow driver in front of us, cussing and moaning and then, when we finally get to pass the car, we look over and see it's just some little old lady who's just risked hell to go get her diuretics at the pharmacy and we say, "Oh, well bless her heart. Bless-ED be."

;)

[QC]

55. I wish this was my biggest hardship in life.

How about we trade? You can have my kidney stones and $100,000 student loan debt and I'll have a train conducter address a vaguely religious but not really sectarian sentiment to a crowd I happen to be in. Deal?

[TankLV]

80. I'll take that one, too!

Just recovering from a small heart attacke last week, and I agree with the poster who said if that was the worst thing that has happened, then I'd be greatful.

But I find it still creepy over the PA in an official function like it was.

[spanone]

59. Maybe the conductor was an out of work defrocked pedophile priest.

Just can't shake the roll of Blessor.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

60. I would complain to the LIRR about that. n/t

[sbj405]

61. I got that on a lot of Dem answering machines when I was phone banking

These were registered Dems in a very blue county. I think it's a regional thing. I had never heard it before moving here (DC).

[w4rma]

62. The premise of this thread is ridiculous. (nt)

[ultraist]

67. Perhaps

As a couple have pointed out, it's a regional thing and after reading those posts, I don't think it's worth nitpicking over. Christian phrases are part of everyday language in the South and apparently in DC, is that really a big deal? It's a vernacular speak.

There are, however, some VERY INTERESTING vernacular phrases in the Southern language. My ex neighbor had grown up in the Appalachian mountains and his vocabulary was very colorful. He sounded like he was right out of a novel.

[SheepyMcSheepster]

69. it gets on my nerves too.....

it's not the worst thing ever, but i would prefer not to hear it.

[INDIA]

70. What if...

you met the Dali Llama (spelling?) and he blessed you, or if a Rabbi you were speaking to ended the conversation in the same manner. I bet you wouldn't be as offended, stop the Christian bashing.

[ultraist]

75. It's not Christian bashing to express how it makes us feel

Some people feel very uncomfortable with it and have a right to feel that way. It used to really bother me too.

Personally, I do not assume that every Tom, Dick, and Harry I talk to on the phone or meet in a store believes EXACTLY the same way I do. But it has become so ingrained in the Southern culture, that I view it more as a vernacular thing. I also respect their freedom of speech. It is not inciting violence in the immediate, so it is protected as freedom of speech.

[SheepyMcSheepster]

85. hehe, i'm not "bashing"....

i'd love to know how i participated in "christian bashing" by my statement. your insight would be appreciated.

also you were right to question your spelling of Dali Lama.

[LittleClarkie]

73. And?

That was almost generic spirituality.

Wow. I don't understand what was so freeperish. But then I'm Christian and a Dem and I don't understand why we're referred to as the "secular" left. I don't think that describes all of us.

[TankLV]

79. I think it's really offensive and creepy - surely not innocent.

But I accept anyone who has positive things for me, whether they be prayers or good wishes or good thoughts.

But to suggest or believe this is an innocent remark or anything other than the christian prostletising it is has their head up their ass.

It has no place on our public airwaves in a public place such as this.

It is first and foremost offensive and frightening.

[ultraist]

82. Most people don't even realize it's Christian, it's part of everyday speak

They don't view it as evangelizing. Have you ever been to the South?

Your comment, "But to suggest or believe this is an innocent remark or anything other than the christian prostletising it is has their head up their ass." is simply RUDE. I don't have my head up my ass and I am not a Christian, but I do have some insight into the South and I do RESPECT FREEDOM OF FUCKING SPEECH.

IF this is being said on gov't owned transportation, it is a violation of church and state, just as it would be if teachers in public schools said it on the school intercom. IMO, it's not a battle worth fighting.

BTW, Amtrak is not "owned" by the gov't like subways are.

If a citizen (not a gov't employee) says it in a public place or a private business, they are protected by freedom of speech.

[TankLV]

86. I stand by my statements. I've never heard any such speech anywhere

I've been in this country.

Never.

Personally, yes. On the PA system in public transportation. Never.

Some people refuse to see the obvious.

[ultraist]

87. It's hard to believe you have spent much time in the South & DC

It's very common as other people here have said.

Just because someone has a differing opinion, as I did when I said it's vernacular, doesn't mean they refuse to see the obvious. That's rude and uncalled for.

[TankLV]

90. I stand by my statement entirely. Too bad.

Thank you miss manners.

If this was such a normal occurance, and it was said every time the train got into the station for years, then this would not be an issue now would it?

This shit is only happening now because the repukes took control of our government again in greater numbers, and they are not feeling bound by any courtesies for anyone's beliefs or feelings except their own.

When it's said personally, fine. But over the PA on PUBLIC transportation, it is inappropriate. They guy should be repremanded.

It's still creepy.

But I would still accept any blessings that anyone would choose to offer me. This was not one of them.

And their are much more important issues to get ruffled feathers about, surely, but this is just a further example of the creep of theocracy and dominionism into what should remain a secular government.

[ultraist]

93. This has been going on for decades! LOL! You think it's because of Bush?

No, Southerners have been saying: "God Bless You," "Have a Blessed Day," "Bless her/his heart" and other Christian phrases in their everyday language for a very long time.

ASK ANY SOUTHERNER!!! This did NOT come about because of Bush.

I don't deny the fact that Bush is fusing church and state and the fundie movement is on the rise.

But this existed before Bush was ever born and to just throw it in the pot with all of the other freaky religious BS, is to overgeneralize.

BTW, what's wrong with a little civility?

[cags]

81. I'm offended by the word "freaking" please stop it

No really I'm not, but its not like the guy was in your face trying to save your soul against your will.

Silly
:silly:

[hankthecrank]

83. I say have a Nice 180 degree Day Also!!

Comes from our fearful Leader. Who is always saying one thing and then does exact opposite.

They also think words only have meaning. But its words and deeds that count.

Have to keep it in balance.

[Name removed]

88. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[CBGLuthier]

89. How Dare He

He should be fired and run out of town.

How dare he be so inconsiderate of your feelings. To force you to have a blessed day.
What an evil, evil man.
BTW, that's sarcasm.

Have blees.. I mean nice. Oh just have a day.