I'm curious to know if some of you can't help themselves saying " Thank God" or Oh my God", even though you're atheist or agnostic ? Just an hour ago I was sure I lost my presto card ( bus card in Toronto). I was panicking... Looking everywhere. When I finally found it I said " Thanks God !!" But immediately I thought God has nothing to do with that. Or anything ! Lol
I say those thing all the time. I also celebrate Christmas. Who cares?
The substitutions have long since become 2nd nature. When someone sneezes, I say, "Gesundheit." If I sneeze, it's "Bless me" - unless nobody says anything, in which case it's "BLESS ME!" even though I already know I'm blessed.
I avoid those words at all costs. I've come up with a few phrases not related to religion. It ain't easy. Lol
If I sneeze,and someone blesses me, I ask that they save their blessings for the children raped by catholic priests. Shocking yes, but it makes them think.
Most of us have spent a lifetime saying OMG or thank god, etc. Even among the religious I never see people actually thanking a god. It is only words. I view this the same way when people are praying for you or sending prayers your way. These words are simply sayings. NOBODY is actually doing these things. It is empty words.
We spend so much time thanking real people, it becomes an instinctive habit. It is the "oil" that keeps the wheels of society turning. When there is no-one obvious to thank then your reaction is natural. But you could thank yourself for looking in all the right places and keeping calm and logical.
It's a phrase. It's popular in north america. Belief or no belief, not surprising you'd utter it. We use phrases without the original intent all the time.
It's something we've heard and said all our lives. It's not going to leave your head just because you don't believe. It's like the 4 leaf clover I carried for a year because I found it at an emotional time in my life. I didn't believe it brought luck, but for some reason I kept it.