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What would you have said?

I usually hang out in the park for a while midway through about a 5 mile walk for exercise. So yesterday I was in the park and an elderly woman walks towards me on the path as I'm sitting on a bench. She says something to the effect of, "It's a wonderful day today isn't it?". So I say yes it is, and then she continues with, "Thank God for that!" or "Praise God for that!".

So in a split second I'm processing every possible response to that and just muster up a "Yep". Then I talk about how my allergies weren't allowing me to fully enjoy the nice day and a little small talk ensues. Then she walks off and once again says, "Thank God for the beautiful day!". Again, I just said "Yep". I guess I compromised with staying true to myself and not saying something like "Thank God!", but also not being confrontational with just saying "Yep".

What would you have said in that situation?

Piece2YourPuzzle 8 June 16
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86 comments (26 - 50)

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3

Someone wants to express their joy, it's not an injury or affront and doesn't rise to the level of annoyance then I just ignore it. But if they try to preach at me or otherwise try to bring me down then I can be a rather passive aggressive asshole.

4

I am in agreement with everyone who said you handled it correctly. I see no reason to cast a shadow on someone's nice day, unless they are proselytizing, and it sounds like the old woman wasn't. Even when the JWs accost me on the sidewalk, I just say "I'm an atheist, so no thank you. Have a nice day." and then I go about my business. I see no reason to be confrontational about things that I think are nonsense. The only time someone else's religious beliefs concern me is when they try to implant those beliefs in our secular government.

6

As the spouse of a pastor who did her thing in mostly conservative rural Montana I have been constantly confronted with this dilema. For the most part I did exactly as you did. I figured that I was no more likely to change their mind than they were to change mine.

I'm not sure I was right! Thank God etc. sounds kindly and innocuous but really it is intended to be in your face and intimidating. Too often the hidden message is something like, "I'm a believer and you should be too if you know what is good for you. Maybe the best response is the one my father often gave, "Thank God I'm an Athiest."

karl Level 5 June 16, 2019

...and with many people it is just their vernacular.

3

You can't go wrong with "It sure is a beautiful day" - just omitting the god part in the reply. "Yep" was probably even better.

I\ve had it happen on an elevator and it was a gorgeous day (I figure nerves played a part in that - some folks don't like enclosed spaces). Oh and once at a checkout - I was told to have a "Blessed Day" - that one just fried me - because I do not want to have a Blessed Day? But how do you even respond to that without causing conflict? I seem to remember looking startled and leaving without further words.

Thankfully it's not something common in New England.

If I ever find the perfect - non-conflict inducing comeback... I'll let you know. lol

5

Same thing. No point in creating disturbance where you don’t need to. She was pleasant enough to make conversation. She wasn’t proselytising or canvassing just being a friendly human being.

By setting up a debate which she may have no concept off will just set off stress factors in yourself for no reason. Just acknowledge the beautiful day regardless of whose construct it is.

2

You were being polite and there was no need to engage in a Philosophical argument at that time.

Believing that religion is myth does not mean arguing with everyone who doesn't feel the same way.

2

I tend to engage believers so maybe one day one of them will say something that would restore my faith! So this morning I was in my yard when a guy driving a 1936 Pontiac (I think) stopped to ask me about my 47DeSoto that also has a flathead 6. He was on his way to church and I gave him an ear full. I'm agnostic, no god, blah blah blah. Told him when Jesus puts my finger in the hole in his arm, I'll hit my knees so fast it'll spin your head around. Hope he had fun at church!

4

How about this, "Will you blame him when a storm rolls in?"

MrLink Level 8 June 16, 2019
5

How 'bout: "Thank him? Thank me. I had to sacrifice three of my best goats to get this weather!"

MrLink Level 8 June 16, 2019
2

thank the imaginary gods for allergies too I bet

3

It's nice to be nice

1

No response is necessary. If she preached at you, then a response might be good.

SKH78 Level 8 June 16, 2019
2

Id have simply said yes ma'am. Being respectful of others and their beliefs isnt a compromise of ur own. Never understand why atheist feel the need to be rude, confrontational, and cause a scene. Ur not gonna change their beliefs any more than theyre gonna changes urs so why does it need to go any further than that. Now, if u try to force ur religion on me, then weve got a different story. Then ill be confrontational, question ur intelligence, and belittle ur religion. But no need to be that way with a lil old lady trying to be polite a respectful. She maybe lonely, and her conversation with u may have been the highlight of her day.

1

Yep is the perfect response.

1

I think we have to pick our battles. I had a woman offer to pray for my son. I didn't argue or even say I wad an atheist. I didn't know her.

4

Out of respect for an elder I would have passed it off too. You did the right thing

3

I consider these types of things non-issues
I’ll still throw out a god bless you here and there
You did well because that was right for you
😊

4

Old people are often lonely.
“Yes Mam, I do believe we’re very lucky to be sharing this day.”

I'm old and lonely too, but I don't go around using any little excuse to impose my personal beliefs on others, expecting that to impress them. They would make more friends from us if they'd respect that and us.

@AlbertSchepis Understood. I’m just not that sensitive. I have a soft spot for the elderly. They get a pass from me.

4

Good idea to have an answer ready for opportunities like that - when it feels appropriate to inform strangers that not everyone they meet believes in God/s. It's not always appropriate, but when it is, it's a great opportunity to open up a thoughtful dialog, and let a little bit of light into a closed mind.

I would probably say something like: "Yep, nature is wonderful, whether you believe in God or not! For me, I'm an atheist, so I can pause in awe and wonder at all the many natural factors that went into making this perfect day!"

(Substitute Agnostic, Skeptic, Happy Humanist, Naturalist, Free thinker, Rationalist...)

If it's a stranger, I don't mind reminding them not everyone they meet believes in God.

If it's a friend (everyone knows I'm atheist) well they got their jab in, and I can take the high road and just smile and keep my mouth shut.

I said something similar to what you typed in your first few sentences.

4

"I gotta go, I'm catching a Richard Dawkins lecture at noon."
Then hit her on the side of the head with a shovel.

I'm picturing it in my mind lol

I like it.

3

I probably would not have responded to the comment at all. If interested in conversing with the god-obsessed, I try to redirect the topic. I it doesn't work, I either excuse myself from conversing or let them know I am not a believer. Usually the former.

Deb57 Level 8 June 16, 2019

I wish I'd said that...

2

The elderly lady did not specify WHICH god to thank. Zeus? Odin? Amon-Ra? Krishna? The Flying Spaghetti Monster? Is there a deity that is specifically in charge of nice weather or pleasant days? It's very confusing.

I think it was the God of Damn.

2

Kind of sick of "letting it go".
I'm just going to start telling everyone who even mentions their stupid religious
beliefs, to keep their delusions to themselves.
I don't care if they're just trying to be "nice".
Their assumptions do not require my compliance.

Nor do they necessarily deserve someone being confrontational in return. It is often far better to just agree noncommittally and leave.

@Rob1948 You do you. Everyone else gets to do as they see fit.

@KKGator I have no problem with disagreeing. I just see no reason to be confrontational with strangers.

@KKGator Smack em in the side of the head with a shovel, I'm telling ya.

@Rob1948 If approached by a stranger, of any age, I have every right to be confrontational. I have no idea what someone else's agenda may be.
Especially if they start prattling on about their god.
In my experience, it pays to stay on guard.

@KKGator In the situation described above, if you would be confrontational, why? You weren’t attacked. And, even if you consider the comment God and have a nice day a reason to be confrontational; she wished you a nice day.

If that deserves confrontation, I would hate to think how you would react to other situations where people actually challenge your beliefs to your face. Is that sufficient to start a verbal or physical attack?

@Rob1948 Depends on the situation. I rule out nothing.
I'm so sick of being told to be less confrontational. Why should I be?
I'm not approaching total strangers and getting in their faces about
my non-belief. That would be rude and unnecessary.

However, why do I have to "turn the other cheek" when some delusional
religutard does it to me?
Like I said, it depends on the situation.

3

I recall a somewhat similar situation. I responded with " well, whatever is responsible, it's definitely good ".
In return , I got an odd glance - but they said nothing else. Popped their bubble I guess ...

2

God has nothing to do with it, or anything for that matter. You did OK.

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