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I don't wanna "Have a Blessed Day" o.k. Lady?

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mopaul Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 07:43 AM
Original message
I don't wanna "Have a Blessed Day" o.k. Lady?
Edited on Thu May-05-05 08:03 AM by mopaul
have you been assaulted with that little hammer lately, maybe at the checkout line, or in the elevator?

it may seem like a friendly, harmless platitude, but it's really an in your face insult. arrogant too.
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babylonsister Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 07:46 AM
Response to Original message
1. Much more preferable than
'God' bless you, because that presumes everyone has a belief in God.
So I'll take 'bless you'. HAve a blessed day? Hasn't happened to me yet.
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jayctravis Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 09:39 AM
Response to Reply #1
70. I've heard Wiccans say "blessed be".
It's the equivalent of "have a nice day" I guess.

It seems to be a popular saying among African-American churchgoers...I call people about appointments and hear it at the end of answering machine messages all the time.
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knight_of_the_star Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 10:58 AM
Response to Reply #70
85. It's a common expression
It's not really aimed at any particular faith, just sort of goodwill in general.
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FreedomAngel82 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 11:30 AM
Response to Reply #1
92. With me
I always just say "have a nice day." :shrug: Simple and easy.
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IdaBriggs Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 07:49 AM
Response to Original message
2. Why?
Just respond back politely with the deity of your choice. For example,

"As the Goddess wills it, so mote it be."

- or -

"Only if my Satanic Demon Master allows it."

- or -

"In the name of the Mother, the Maiden, and the Crone, Amen."

- or -

"Lest Thor's Hammer smite my enemies down!"

- or -

"Praise all the Saints in Heaven!"

- or -

You could just be polite, and say "thank you." Really, its a nice thought when someone hopes the deity they worship wants to bless you.

:)
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alcibiades_mystery Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 07:49 AM
Response to Original message
3. I was at the checkout at a supermarket the day before Easter
I noticed the checkout woman saying "Happy Easter!" to everyone who checked out. Huh, I thought. So, up comes my turn, and I'm pleasant, as is my wont, and I finish my purchase, and I'm ready to go. Here it comes. "Happy Easter!"

I look her dead in the eye and say, "Oh, I'm an atheist."

The woman is taken aback, but quickly recovers. She pats my arm and says "That's alright. Don't worry."

Arrogant? You betcha. "Is it still OK to be an atheist, then?" I say. "Well, that's a relief." She's not smiling anymore, it perhaps having dawned on her that I wasn't confessing a sin but lodging an implicit complaint. "Have a nice weekend," I say, and depart.
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Jara sang Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 07:53 AM
Response to Original message
4. My response to fundies that say that to me:
"Fuck off!" Stops them dead in their tracks.:spray:
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Solly Mack Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 07:53 AM
Response to Original message
5. I always think of "he blessed me out " when I hear "have a blessed day"
So I just smile and say "You, too!"



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Montauk6 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 07:54 AM
Response to Original message
6. Nah, I'm in Manhattan (Blue Headquarters)
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im10ashus Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 09:09 AM
Response to Reply #6
45. I'm in Manhattan too.
There used to be a lady who drove the crosstown bus at 86th Street. She always said that, "have a blessed day", to which I would just say "she already has". This only further confuses her, as I guess coming from a man, she wasn't expecting it.
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Stephanie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 09:18 AM
Response to Reply #6
55. I'm in Manhattan & there was a woman in Times Square subway station today
Screaming at the top of her lungs that we should all come to Jesus. She looked perfectly normal, well dressed, all by herself, but she felt compelled to set her purse down on the floor and stand in the middle of throngs of people trying to get to work and HARASS them just as loudly as she could.
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smirkymonkey Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 02:42 PM
Response to Reply #55
105. Holy crap!
When you start hearing that kind of stuff in Manhattan, you know things are really getting fucked up.

Part of the reason I live here is because I thought I was safe from the madness of Christian Fundamentalists. :scared:
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Dorian Gray Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-06-05 08:45 AM
Response to Reply #105
129. Have you ever BEEN to Times Square?
There is always preaching going on there! I've never been there when there hasn't been!
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Princess Turandot Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 04:23 PM
Response to Reply #55
110. You see well dressed schizophrenics..they are not all bag ladies..nm
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Stephanie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-06-05 07:12 AM
Response to Reply #110
118. She was neither - she was just a zealot
But you don't usually see them all by themselves. Usually they have a crew.
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BiggJawn Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 07:54 AM
Response to Original message
7. "Oh...I had one yesterday, can I just have an ORDINARY day today?"
My stock reply to the "Have a Nice Day" innanity of the late 70's....
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demnan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 07:55 AM
Response to Original message
8. Yep, I have felt mildly insulted by that little quip
especially from people who don't know me, so it's really fucking phony. (I have deeply religious friends who are earnest in praying for my benefit as well, I have no problem with someone praying for me - it can't hurt and who the hell knows, it might help.)

But the "Have a Blessed Day" crowd doesn't sincerely wish you a blessed day or indicate that the Christian before you really wishes to pray for you or wish you well, what it really says is, "I use the terminology of the born again church, therefore I am one of the good people, saved in God, and if you don't like it you are vastly inferior to me".

Some of my friends are well meaning and use these expressions innocently and they mean no harm, I just don't like them in the workplace from strangers. I also have a friend with an incessant need to wish me Moseltoff (not sure I spelled it right) which she has picked up from a recent immersion in Judaism, from her Synagogue. It is just about the same thing. Ok from a friend, but too ethnic a remark from a stranger in the workplace, where she doesn't use it.
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immoderate Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 08:07 AM
Response to Reply #8
11. Mazel tov means good luck.
It is not religious.

--IMM
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Bridget Burke Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 08:11 AM
Response to Reply #11
14. But it's "ethnic"--that was the complaint.
Everybody must be plain vanilla WASP to avoid giving offense...
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immoderate Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 08:56 AM
Response to Reply #14
34. Gadzooks!
--IMM
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universalcitizen Donating Member (49 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 07:56 AM
Response to Original message
9. Offense is in the eye of the beholder;
This is the day you've created, how do you like it?
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wideopen Donating Member (563 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 08:12 AM
Response to Reply #9
17. Hmmm...
interesting food for thought, thanks.
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Dhalgren Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 08:21 AM
Response to Reply #9
27. Praise Yahweh!
But isn't this day that He created? And some offenses are not "eye of the beholder" stuff. In a community, the days tend to be a creation of join effort, dontcha think?
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universalcitizen Donating Member (49 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-06-05 04:54 AM
Response to Reply #27
115. He and I are the joined effort, so yes He created the day. I see no
offenses because I believe His word, "All things work together for the good."

And the truth is you and I are joined in Him, but for those that don't know Him, aren't married to Him, think that they are separate from Him, call themselves atheists, then I let them create their own days filled with offenses when blessings are falling all around them.

But if there is comm-unity, then all share the manifold blessings of the joint effort, yes.
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Dhalgren Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-06-05 07:25 AM
Response to Reply #115
120. I'm sure they appreciate you letting "them create their own day".
That's pretty big of you. Thanks for the info.
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Cash Donating Member (146 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 07:57 AM
Response to Original message
10. When I hear that...
I usually just say something like "Thanks, you too." I know they mean well by it and life's too short to let these types of things bother me. I've got more productive items on my list to do than to find things to get PO'd about.
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Dhalgren Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 08:13 AM
Response to Reply #10
20. Yeah, it's just like in Nazi Germany
when someone leaving an elevator would say, "Heil Hitler." It didn't mean anything, it was just a way of saying "Bless you"...
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Cash Donating Member (146 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 08:17 AM
Response to Reply #20
22. Oh Really.
I've definately never heard that before.
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ClassWarrior Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 08:19 AM
Response to Reply #20
25. Look at all the "Progressives" pre-judging a person they never met...
...and a situation they never witnessed. If it was freepers doing it, we all would be stumbling over one another to call them bigots.

Christianity equivalent with Nazism, Dhalgren??? Criminey. Why do you people let the Radical RW manipulate you into dividing us along religious lines??

NGU.


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Dhalgren Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 08:29 AM
Response to Reply #25
30. "Criminey?" I like that!
Look, a stranger giving you the "Have a blessed day" line is not a blessing. The poor sap uttering this inanity may not be aware of it, but it is a "sign phrase". It isn't, "God bless you." It isn't, "Have a nice day." It is a terminology used to impart "condition" - of the speaker and of the recipient. It is very similar to the "Heil Hitler" of Nazi usage. The "Heiler" was making a statement about his/her "condition" and was awaiting the conditioned response of "community". Again, the speaker in question may not have been aware of this phraseology and it's source, she may have just been parroting what she has heard, but then that's why it is used...
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ClassWarrior Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 08:34 AM
Response to Reply #30
31. I use it. And I know what it means to me.
Tell me, what is this mysterious "phraseology" and source you claim? I'd be interested to know what evil meme I'm "parroting."

And while you're at it, why don't you imply to us once or twice more that you're a Jew who doesn't appreciate Christians speaking to you.

NGU.


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Dhalgren Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 08:53 AM
Response to Reply #31
32. Ok, so I am a Jew. Right.
I don't mind Christians talking to me, but they shouldn't feel required to impart their religious convictions to me. Christianity is a "feeding" religion. It is based upon the conversion of all non-believers - the "Good News" is to be spread, right? Missionary-ism is the big thing, right? It is just as Epicurus said - "Do unto others as you would have done unto you." I don't care about your religion. You believe it; that's fine. That's good. But, it scares the hell out of me, that people who profess this particular religion want to control everyone's life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. Now, you may say that all Christians aren't like that. O.k. So what? All Republicans aren't anti-choice - does that mean we can no longer say that Republicans are against choice? If Christians who disagree with the fundamentalists who are currently in control of the religion's image, want to change that image, they should do so. I do not hold anyone's religion against them - most of them can't help it. But I won't be forced to give lip-service to a respect that I don't feel. Believe what you want and I will to - see? If you don't respect or give credence to what I believe that's fine. No problem. It works both ways. Pat Robertson and the 700-Club SS are the ones who have pushed the "Blessed day" thing. When was the first time you heard it used?
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ClassWarrior Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 09:03 AM
Response to Reply #32
38. In my church.
Edited on Thu May-05-05 09:07 AM by ClassWarrior
My mom used to say that when I was a kid. While Pat Robertson was only a minor league hater.

That post is filled with so many distortions and so much hatred, I don't even know where to start.

Have a blessed day.

NGU.


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Dhalgren Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 09:05 AM
Response to Reply #38
40. And may Yahweh insure that all of your camels' dung
smell of lilies of the field! :hi:
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ClassWarrior Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 09:07 AM
Response to Reply #40
41. The new Progressive hatred - smirky and snide.
NGU.


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Dhalgren Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 09:19 AM
Response to Reply #41
57. I don't hate anyone...really.
There are people, things, beliefs, ideas that I hold very little respect for. There are people, things, beliefs, ideas that I oppose, intellectually, politically, and spiritually. But I don't hate them - I think, if you'll check, you were the one who used that word...
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ClassWarrior Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 09:32 AM
Response to Reply #57
67. Then please don't pre-judge.
Edited on Thu May-05-05 09:40 AM by ClassWarrior
Remember - the enemy isn't a little old lady behind a cash register. The enemy is the blood-thirsty, power-mad, profit-hungry criminals trying to turn us against one another.

Peace.

NGU.


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Tansy_Gold Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 09:44 AM
Response to Reply #67
72. I'll agree with Dhalgren on this one
The not-so-little-old ladies who stand behind the grocery store cash register and spew "Have a Blessed Day" while wearing their "WWJD" name badge lanyards are the foot soldiers in the rightwing army.

In most cases, if either a customer or a co-worker complained about the "religious" nature of the greeting, the complaint would be dismissed, pretty much as it has been here on DU.

If another cashier routinely wished her customers "mazel tov" or "goddess bless," and a customer complained, that cashier would be out on her ass.

Expressions of christianity and pseudo-christianity (In God We Trust, "one nation under God") are protected in this country in a way that other expressions of faith or the lack thereof are not.

Hence my sig line.
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ClassWarrior Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 10:21 AM
Response to Reply #72
78. So two wrongs make a right?
NGU.


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knight_of_the_star Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 11:02 AM
Response to Reply #30
86. Just to let you know
That expression is VERY similar to "Blessed be" and that one is a Wiccan expression that is fairly commonly used. That and I think if it was a fundie they would say something like, "God bless you," not something that can be confused with an expression that is not uncommon to hear in some parts of the pagan community.
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ClassWarrior Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 11:43 AM
Response to Reply #86
94. In the Jewish tradition, "Blessed be He" is used in deference to God.
NGU.


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CarefullyLiberal Donating Member (182 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-06-05 07:27 AM
Response to Reply #20
121. Reply
That has to be one of the most ridiculous analogies I have ever read on the Democratic Underground.

"Have a blessed day" = Heil Hitler


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Dhalgren Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-06-05 09:55 AM
Response to Reply #121
131. Well, you haven't been here long.
Does anyone who says, "Have a blessed day", do so without really thinking of what it is that they are saying? Did anyone in Germany ever say, "Heil Hitler" without really thinking about what it was that they were saying? There is your analogy. Does anyone ever say, "Have a blessed day" not for the blessing bestowed upon another, but because of what it says about themselves? Did anyone in Germany ever say, "Heil Hitler" not because they were showing subservience to Hitler, but because of what it said about themselves? There is your analogy. Neither of those are "ridiculous" by any standards. Often things seem to be ridiculous, when in actuality they are simply not understood. And, please, I want to make clear, I don't hate you or anything that you may believe. :hi:
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CarefullyLiberal Donating Member (182 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-06-05 02:53 PM
Response to Reply #131
134. I don't hate you either, Dhalgren
Nothing but love and kisses from me!!

I understand your premise, perhaps your choice of phases you choose were not good ones.

Can we leave it at that?

Take care,

-Fergus
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Dhalgren Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-06-05 03:08 PM
Response to Reply #134
136. Sure. No problem.
I think if two fighters on the same side can't have a friendly tussle once in awhile it just is no fun! I can absolutely disagree with you on any number of issues and still hold you to be a fine, upstanding person.

Peace... :toast:
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CarefullyLiberal Donating Member (182 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-06-05 06:08 PM
Response to Reply #136
150. To continue our heterosexual lovefest for a few more moments....
While I disagree with you, I admire and respect how you have defended your thoughts in this thread.

Keep up the fight!!

:toast:
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quiet.american Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-06-05 05:21 PM
Response to Reply #10
140. Amen. n/t
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ClassWarrior Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 08:09 AM
Response to Original message
12. Or it could be sincere.
I didn't think Progressives painted things with such a broad brush.

NGU.


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liberalpress Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 11:41 AM
Response to Reply #12
93. Don't think of this as a thread hijacker...
Edited on Thu May-05-05 11:41 AM by liberalpress
... think of it as a momentary digression.

I've noticed a (you-should-pardon-the-expression) "liberal use" of the broad brush lately. Thank you for pointing that out. Someone once pointed out to me that the right winng was very effective in getting their message across, and we shoukd adopt their strategy for spreading ours.

That's a philosophy that looks good on the surface, but has one fatal flaw.

We are not them.

By using their tactics we become them.

Then they win.



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ClassWarrior Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 12:50 PM
Response to Reply #93
102. I agree... depending on how you define strategies and tactics.
I think we'd be smart adopt ALL the ideology-neutral strategies and tactics of the Radical RW, things like framing and media blasting and such.

But broad-brushing people (that is, bigotry) isn't so much a tactic as, to use your phrase, a philosophy. Or to use Lakoff's phrase, a part of their value system. And one that's directly opposed to our value system.

When deciding which strategies and tactics we do adopt, we simply need to use our own values as a guide to decide which are legit.

Thanks for the digression.

Never Give Up.


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Dhalgren Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 08:10 AM
Response to Original message
13. What the person telling you this is actually saying is,
"I will ask the Creator of the Universe, the omni-omni God of all existence, to bless you this day!" (If it is Christian "blessing" you). This is pretty serious stuff! I always want to say, "Oh, hey, if you have that kind of "in" with Yahweh please don't mention me, ok? I mean, look at what all has happened to the Jews ever since He chose them for His personal, permanent "blessing". So, please, just leave me out of it. Thanks." Geese, I mean you try to fly under the radar, all these years, and then some do-gooder outs you and fingers you to da man...er...da god! Thanks, but no thanks...
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mopaul Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 08:13 AM
Response to Reply #13
19. this is actually an identification system, like Gaydar
it's a way of finding out who is and isn't a born again in the community, and isolating them, catagorizing them, and treating them accordingly.

if you are one of them, you'll hear that blessed buzz word and join in the cultism. if you arent', you won't respond at all, or if you're like me, an asshole, you'll say something nasty and rude.
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ClassWarrior Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 09:33 AM
Response to Reply #19
68. So you're saying bigotry against gays is okay, too?
NGU.


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Zenlitened Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-06-05 10:00 AM
Response to Reply #68
132. Your reading comprehension score is plummeting.
:D
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MXMLLN Donating Member (66 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 12:36 PM
Response to Reply #19
98. Actually, ... they don't have time for all that ...
... there are other customers behind you.

Just wishing you a 'nice' day is all.
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MXMLLN Donating Member (66 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 12:33 PM
Response to Reply #13
97. Whoops ... they're not going to pray for you ...
... after you, ... it's on to the next customer.

They're just wishing you a 'nice' day.
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Flying Dream Blues Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-06-05 05:11 PM
Response to Reply #13
138. That reminds me of the old bumper sticker
"Jesus is coming. Look busy."
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Clark2008 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 08:11 AM
Response to Original message
15. In the South, it's just a saying, like "Have a Nice Day."
Seriously, I don't think people are meaning to be "in your face" or "arrogant."

There is so much more to worry about than this. It's not meant to be an insult to non-Christians, seriously. It's a colloquialism.
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fasttense Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 08:17 AM
Response to Reply #15
21. You're in the South so tell me if you also
get "We appreciate you"? I actually like that one and was wondering if it's an East TN thing or a Southern expression. But anyway I like being appreciated.
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Clark2008 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 10:22 AM
Response to Reply #21
79. I think it's just Southern
We say it here in East TN, too, naturally.
Of course, it comes out more like, "We appreciatcha!"

:)
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Individualist Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 10:56 AM
Response to Reply #21
83. I had never heard the expression
Edited on Thu May-05-05 10:58 AM by notsodumbhillbilly
before I started using it in the early 80's. I worked in a hospital administrative office (Tri-Cities) and frequently needed information/input from employees in various areas of the hospital. Thank you has been overused so much that I felt it had become just another meaningless phrase. I wanted to express my appreciation to employees who were so helpful, so started saying I appreciate you (actually I appreciatecha as clark2008 noted). It wasn't long before I started hearing others around the hospital using it, and each time I heard it, I'd smile. The expression does say more than a simple thank you.
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DARE to HOPE Donating Member (552 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 08:11 AM
Response to Original message
16. There is not enough love and blessing in this world--
Take it in the spirit it is intended.
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fasttense Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 08:12 AM
Response to Original message
18. You know, I have this face that
shows absolutely everything I'm thinking. I've tried to be more stoic but for some reason my facial expressions always give me away. So that said, you should see the hesitant looks and half finished "have a blessed..." sentences I get. They start to say it than look me in the eye and never finish. I'm in the middle of a red state, in the bible belt, so I get it a lot. I wonder what I look like? It mustn't be pleasant.
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sinkingfeeling Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 09:16 AM
Response to Reply #18
50. Me too!! I just start to glare or something when I hear stuff like that
coming and people stop speaking! Oh what power we have!!
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MXMLLN Donating Member (66 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 12:40 PM
Response to Reply #18
100. Not pleasant ? ... maybe a little scary ? n/t
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Walt Starr Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 08:18 AM
Response to Original message
23. Simple response to those with that crap.
Edited on Thu May-05-05 08:49 AM by Walt Starr
Go to hell.

Or how about, I'll have whatever kind of DAMNED day I want to!"
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eridani Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-06-05 05:14 AM
Response to Reply #23
117. Reminds me of those 70s buttons and bumperstickers
Don't tell ME what kind of a day to have!
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Ripley Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 08:19 AM
Response to Original message
24. The woman at the pharmacy used to say that.
Often with another line about how she hoped God would be with me today, or blah blah blah.

I would usually just answer "have a nice day" or just nod my head and leave. She always looked a little wary that I didn't respond the way she wanted me to. A "you too" or whatever. Then I noticed she didn't work the drive-through window for awhile - another person did who just said "thanks" etc.

The other day "blessed" woman was back. So, I'm waiting for her to say it and she stumbled over her words "thank you mam, and um, er." Pause. "You enjoy your afternoon now." It seems someone complained or something.

It didn't really insult me, but I did find it very unprofessional.

Now the coffee cafe guy - he lost my business. I used to go regularly to this place - then after a few months he added a big screen TV and blared Faux News. I cringed but kept going. Then he put up all these religious signs. Then one day I had to wait for him to finish talking to another customer about how "he always thought Catholics were weird because they seemed to worship Mary"... never went back.

Religion should not be forced upon people doing business in a public place that is not advertised as being of a religious nature.
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htuttle Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 08:21 AM
Response to Original message
26. Respond with "Blessed Be"
Maybe they won't get it, but you will. And sometimes that's enough.

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gollygee Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 08:58 AM
Response to Reply #26
36. or "May the goddess bless you too"
:D
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Just Me Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 08:24 AM
Response to Original message
28. I just say, "thanks, backatcha'".
:shrug: I suppose I'd rather presume they mean well than that they mean ill. Either way, I have bigger issues to confront.
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sendero Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 08:27 AM
Response to Original message
29. Now mopaul...
... you need to chill out :)

I love your rants and generally agree with them. But so what if the little old lady is sending you a coded message?

I'd just reply "Bless your heart" which is a coded message of its own :)
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Clark2008 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 10:31 AM
Response to Reply #29
80. "Bless your heart"
Said with the proper entonement in the South is stronger than "Fuck you" in terms of put-downs. :hi:
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fishwax Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 11:18 AM
Response to Reply #80
89. that phrase is almost as versatile as the f word
depending on intonation and context. I like it as a synonym for fuck you.

I suppose sometimes it may be sincere, but I hear it more commonly as something akin to "your suffering is interesting and all, but I'm going to interrupt and cut you off because I'd much rather talk about what I'm going through."

As in:

JILL: So my brother had his first chemo treatment today ...
JANE: Bless his heart ... did I tell you I stubbed my toe today? Oy Vey! You should see the bruise ...
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liberalpress Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 11:46 AM
Response to Reply #80
95. Ain't that the truth!
My wife and I always look at each other when King George comes on the TV and in unison belt out a big ol' "Bless his heart!"
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dweller Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 08:54 AM
Response to Original message
33. i just smile
put my forefinger and thumb together (like the OK signal) in front of my face and respond kindly with a choice chinese phrase.

"ahh, ni bu dongxi"

let 'em figure it out.

dp

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KitSileya Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat May-07-05 04:33 AM
Response to Reply #33
157. Now you made me curious!
Does that mean anything, or have you just made it up?
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SouthernDem2004 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 08:57 AM
Response to Original message
35. Maybe its time for a vacation? Relax a little...
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Connie_Corleone Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 09:00 AM
Response to Original message
37. Why don't we just not say anything to each other.
Edited on Thu May-05-05 09:01 AM by Connie_Corleone
That way, people won't be offended by what's coming out of our mouths.

Or maybe we'll get offended because we aren't speaking to each other??



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ClassWarrior Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 09:08 AM
Response to Reply #37
42. LOL
Thank you.

NGU.


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Cash Donating Member (146 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 09:10 AM
Response to Reply #37
46. Exactly!
Also all products ever made are symbols of oppression. Therefore, we should buy nothing and live in caves and eat plants even though they don't like to be eaten and, like you stated, not talk to each other because all oppression begins when two people communicate. We will then be pure and world peace will arrive.

Long live the revolution! Long live ideological purity. Long live those who refuse to sell out. We shall inherit the dirt of the earth and revert back to apes.

Oh, excuse me, "revert" is a politically incorrect term, an example of specie-ism gone amok. Hopefully, the apes will eat us and put an end to the human race which has done nothing but cause trouble.

Long live mass suicide! Long live the absolutely unfettered and pure progressivism that recognizes that life itself is an act of oppression since no creature can survive without eating another and freedom will not reign until the earth is a cold lifeless rock floating aimlessly through space.
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Flying Dream Blues Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-06-05 05:16 PM
Response to Reply #46
139. LOL!! I swear, it can wear you out trying to be PC at times...
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youthere Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 09:48 AM
Response to Reply #37
73. Good idea...
or what if, before we speak to another human, being we should fill out and exchange a "faith preference inventory". Then we will automatically know the appropriate greeting or farewell to give to a complete stranger. That ought to work.
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Flying Dream Blues Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-06-05 05:22 PM
Response to Reply #73
141. YES!! It could be on our
Big Brother "customer cards" at the supermarket! Then in addition to reading me my name off the receipt as they thank me (which I cringe at), they can give me my "faith inventory" pre-printed "day blessing." It's so f***ing simple, I can't believe they haven't already thought of it. "Goddess be with you, Mrs. Pigwimple"...etc.
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Bouncy Ball Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 09:05 AM
Response to Original message
39. mopaul! Some links for you!
http://christianretail.blogspot.com/2004/09/have-blessed-day.html

This guy works in a Christian bookstore and writes about his experiences on this blog. Quite interesting.

http://www.hoyweb.com/dh/blessed.htm <---article about woman ordered to stop saying it at work, don't know how true it is, though.

http://www.eeonews.com/news/religious/havea.html <---I think this is a follow-up to that case. She lost her case in court, because the judge found that saying "have a blessed day" is not a requirement of Christianity. And apparently she was saying it a LOT.

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Terran Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 09:09 AM
Response to Original message
43. Calm down man.
I suppose some people may mean it arrogantly, but I don't see why another person's religious convictions have to bug you so much when they simply offer it as a small beneficence to you. I really think that most people who take the trouble to say such things really believe it sincerely.

What pisses ME off is when you ask someone how they are, and they respond, "I'm blessed." Now THAT'S an insult. "I'm blessed...and you're not."
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Fescue4u Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 09:09 AM
Response to Original message
44. Yea I hate friendly people. I prefer them mean and sullen

???

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SheepyMcSheepster Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 09:12 AM
Response to Original message
47. it gets on my nerves, but i don't judge people by it
it's just another silly thing people say.
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Catherine Vincent Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 09:15 AM
Response to Original message
48. Just this morning, one of our security guards at work
told me that. I smiled and said "Thanks". It doesn't bother me though, as long as we aren't forced to repeat it back.
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Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 09:15 AM
Response to Original message
49. And May YOU Have A Godless Day!
Edited on Thu May-05-05 09:15 AM by Beetwasher
That's the only proper response. Watch their heads explode.
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mopaul Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 09:16 AM
Response to Reply #49
52. maybe i just wanna have a shitty, unblessed, cranky day
maybe i have a right to say have a lousy day too. i'm an old crank and i have rights.
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TXlib Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 09:16 AM
Response to Original message
51. Does a day go by that you're not angry at SOMETHING?
Geez Louise.

I am as atheist as they come, but come off it already!

Nobody's oppressing you if they say "Have a blessed day", or "God bless you." Don't try to dig for any possible negative hidden meaning; just ASSUME the person is wishing you well, smile, say thank you and go on with your day. Don't seethe and obsess so much that you have to post an angry screed about it hours or days later.

Relax. Have a beer. Or three.
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mopaul Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 09:17 AM
Response to Reply #51
53. i'm cranky o.k.?
is that so wrong?
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TXlib Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 09:25 AM
Response to Reply #53
58. Do you enjoy the stomach acid churning every day?
Just relax. Not everything is political.

Enjoy the nice weather. Invite your neighbors over for a barbeque. Get to know them.

I went through a "Hate Republicans" phase a couple of years ago. But i realised there was another reason i had so much anger, and repubs were just a convenient target. I addressed the real reason for my rage. Now, I still don't like republican politicians much, but i don't understand the need to vilify all republicans.

I have friends who vote R who are ALMOST identical to me in their views -- differing ONLY in the priority of the issues.

Just chill. You'll be happier, and live longer.
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mopaul Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 09:27 AM
Response to Reply #58
60. thanks for the friendly advice, and have a blessed day
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TXlib Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 09:30 AM
Response to Reply #60
65. LOL!
At least you still have your sense of humor.
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northzax Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 09:17 AM
Response to Original message
54. you know what really pisses me off?
the other day, I was on the Metro and I sneezed. This woman I don't even know had the temerity to say "Bless you" and I turned to her and said, "look, lady, I maybe I want the pagan spirits to enter my body in the time after my sneeze and turn me into a debauched personm obsessed with evil, violence and sex. If I didn't want that, I wouldn't have sneezed in the first place, so get your fucking God out of my body!"

turns out it was a Polish tourist, and those were the only words she knew in English. But I made my point, damnit.
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Catherine Vincent Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 09:25 AM
Response to Reply #54
59. Now that was mean.
Did you really tell her that? LOL! Poor lady, now she'll never tell a stranger "Bless you" anymore because of what you said.
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TXlib Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 09:29 AM
Response to Reply #54
61. Thanks for being a goodwill ambassador for the US.
Why?

Why be so frackin' miserable?

Have you considered counseling?
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northzax Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 09:33 AM
Response to Reply #61
69. the very fact you used "frack"
disqualifies you from commenting on my post. See Secret Internet Rule 4.56.00.34 Section F "any use of pseudo-swear words coined to allow mediocre early-80's Science Fiction television shows to seem cutting edge shall disqualify the user from moral commentary on another user, especially when the user is unable to use contextual clues to determine the presence of satirical commentary in the original post."

Sorry, but them's the rules, if you didn't read them, it's your own damn fault :)
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TXlib Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 09:52 AM
Response to Reply #69
74. OK, why can't you apply that sense of humor
to other situations, like when some woman on the metro says "Bless you"?
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northzax Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 10:06 AM
Response to Reply #74
75. ok, I guess I'm not getting through here
I MADE THE THING UP to demonstrate to Mopaul how silly the issue was. it was http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=satire">satire! it never happened! I'm way to engrossed in my iPod to listen to anyone else on the Metro!

plus, I thought the reference to why people say "god bless you" after sneezing to be quite relevant, no? always worth reminding people of the pagan rituals their sacred behaviour is based on.

We drinkin decaf this morning Tex? :donut:
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TXlib Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 10:08 AM
Response to Reply #75
76. Oh, whew!
Edited on Thu May-05-05 10:10 AM by TXlib
OK, thanks!

There's just so much bitterness in this thread I honestly didn't see it for satire.

Thanks for clearing it up.

Duh, I went back and read your reply, and realised I should have read it the whole way through the first time. You SAID it was satire.
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northzax Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 10:40 AM
Response to Reply #76
81. no problem, I'm a little punch-drunk from finals
didn't know if I was being to subtle, it's just astonishing that anyone could get so worked up about someone saying something nice to them. It reminds me of telling a teacher in High School "well I don't want to have a nice day, damnit" (I was 15, after all) his response "tough shit, it was a platitude."


Happy thursday!
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AngryOldDem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 03:53 PM
Response to Reply #81
108. Exactly
I suppose some people would rather hear "go f--- yourself"?

Accept it for what it is and just move on. No need to have a hemmorhage over it. Sometimes it's nice to hear a bit of civility, genuinely intended or not.
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loudestchick Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 11:30 AM
Response to Reply #69
91. ROTFLMAO!!
:spray: :rofl: :spray:
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Touchdown Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 05:22 PM
Response to Reply #69
114. It's a late 70s mediocre Sci-fi show.
...which disqualifies you from referencing it in any form on the internet. Rule number THX-1138.:P
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northzax Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-06-05 08:36 AM
Response to Reply #114
127. touche.
but I was in the UK, so it aired in 1980.

damn imperialist yankee!
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Dhalgren Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 01:47 PM
Response to Reply #54
104. Whoa, there, fella!
Are you saying that "pagan spirits" will turn someone "into a debauched personm (sic) obsessed with evil, violence and sex"? Because that is serious insensitivity to the Pagan faith. We should all be so blessed to have Pagan spirits join us in a physical union. Talk about being "blessed"!
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northzax Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-06-05 08:37 AM
Response to Reply #104
128. dude, didn't you see Dragnet?
PAGAN? hmm?
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sinkingfeeling Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 09:18 AM
Response to Original message
56. Just reply, "May the Force be with you"!
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Hugin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 09:29 AM
Response to Reply #56
63. I like that one!
Although, I'd be likely to say, "May the Farce be with you!"

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SidDithers Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 10:58 AM
Response to Reply #63
84. "May the Schwartz be with you" works too! nt
Sid
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G_j Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 09:30 AM
Response to Reply #56
64. perfect!!! n/t
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mondo joe Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 09:29 AM
Response to Original message
62. Tell her "Have a rational day, for a change".
Edited on Thu May-05-05 09:40 AM by mondo joe
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RPM Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat May-07-05 12:48 AM
Response to Reply #62
153. I'll try that one in the future
thanks!
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ChickMagic Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 09:32 AM
Response to Original message
66. It kind of bugs me too
I don't know how to respond. I usually just say, "Okay. Have a good one." It doesn't offend me. However, I stopped in a shop last weekend I haven't been to in a while. When I checked out, the lady pushed a pamphlet in my bag and said, "God bless you - here's the word of the lord to take with you." That was beyond the pale. I must have looked like a deer in headlights and she got a really confused look on her face. I just turned and walked out.
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Norquist Nemesis Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 09:39 AM
Response to Original message
71. Just say, "I sure hope so! I'm a Liberal!" OR
"I don't doubt it for a moment! I'm a Liberal!"

:evilgrin:
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lectrobyte Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 10:14 AM
Response to Original message
77. Yeah, I hate that one too, but I usually don't do anything about it
but it does seem a bit hypocritical, unless I am misinterpreting the about-to-explode-Church-Lady look they are giving my partner, my t-shirt, my bumper sticker, my tats, etc. etc. So, in the spirit of Ghandi, or Leary (Tim, not Dennis), I try to smile my biggest Suthren-boy smile and wish them a frop-tastic day or some other off-the-wallism.
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txaslftist Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 10:45 AM
Response to Original message
82. Hmmmmph. Inn't that special. I suppose this thread was ...
inspired by... hmmmm ... Satan?
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northzax Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 11:16 AM
Response to Reply #82
88. well, it is the 616th thread
since some other random thread, so I guess so!
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Cleita Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 11:04 AM
Response to Original message
87. Yeah, like when I say something outrageous, like "Bush is
Edited on Thu May-05-05 11:05 AM by Cleita
a Nazi", I always get "I'll pray for you".

My thoughts are that these *bots need to save their prayers for themselves. They are going to need them if this idiot isn't put on trial sooner and not later.
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JNelson6563 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 11:29 AM
Response to Original message
90. Have a Democratic day!
And remember, Jesus was the first liberal! ;-)

Julie
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donsu Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 12:12 PM
Response to Original message
96. depending on my mood I say either:


what is a blessed day?

or

I'm not religious

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JHB Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 12:40 PM
Response to Original message
99. Depends on my mood and their attitude
If it's just their way, who cares, let'em have it.

If it's a fundy being pushy, there's always "Gesundheit!"

Or for something fishier, "Cthulhu ftaghn!"
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AngryOldDem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 12:42 PM
Response to Original message
101. I hear it all the time
From the homeless population I work with.

It kinda puts things in perspective for me.
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nini Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 12:54 PM
Response to Original message
103. It should not be allowed in a place of business
I've had people say this to me after checking out of a store and think it is way out of line.

I would NEVER say that or anything similar to someone I did not know and especially at work.
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Mrs_Beastman Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 03:01 PM
Response to Original message
106. I work at at bank
Talk to 150 people a day. An yes, the ones that bless me creep me out. Even after two years of blessings. Usually, they only bless me if I reverse a fee. If I don't reverse the fee, then I'm every name in the book..which is easier to take, actually!
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StepfordWife Donating Member (18 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 03:30 PM
Response to Original message
107. I'm in the South and I hear it all the time
I never used to hear it at home, so it stuck out quite a bit when I first moved down here. I usually just respond with "Thanks," or something to that effect. I don't necessarily find it insulting. I just prefer "Have a good day."

Even worse, though, is when people in elevators/checkout lines/restaurants say "God bless." How is one supposed to respond to that?
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info being Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 03:54 PM
Response to Original message
109. Tell her to "embrace the process of evolution today"
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chieftain Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 04:27 PM
Response to Original message
111. Amen( So to speak)
It gripes me when someone says it to me. Why do these people think that they are so holy that they have the standing to offer a blessing? Holy roller piety is truly obnoxious.
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many a good man Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 05:16 PM
Response to Original message
112. Its all about civility and inclusiveness
In a diverse society we have to use neutral language to avoid offending others or making them feel excluded. There are plenty of customary greetings and other sayings that don't exclude people because they are part of a different group.

I grew up in a place that was all white and all Xtn. You said "merry Christmas" or "Happy Easter" or "God Bless you" because that's what everybody said and everybody believed. You didn't even think about it. Then I moved away and worked some place with a lot of Jewish people. It was hard at first to stop myself from saying things like Christmas and Easter. But I did because I knew it would make them feel uncomfortable.

Its rude to make people feel uncomfortable. Why are there so many rude people nowadays?
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okieinpain Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-05-05 05:20 PM
Response to Original message
113. oh no it's not (well I guess it depends on the person) when I say
it I really mean you well and I'm not trying to get you all hot and wet for the lord.
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mopaul Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-06-05 05:02 AM
Response to Reply #113
116. yeah but what if you're having a shitty day?
let's say you are having a shitty day and the checkout lady says have a blessed day? i WISH i was having a blessed day, so don't remind me. glad your day is so blessed lady, mine ain't
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RPM Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-06-05 07:24 AM
Response to Original message
119. I reply with "See you in hell"
it worked great with the fundies passing out pamphlets in teh sqaure the other day - he was flabbergasted.
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Flying Dream Blues Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-06-05 05:24 PM
Response to Reply #119
142. hahahahahahaha n/t
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notadmblnd Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-06-05 07:47 AM
Response to Original message
122. The first time I heard that phrase
it was from a Realtor who my husband referred to as "snake eyes". My husband didn't like the guy, said he was sneaky and evil. Ever since then the phrase brings negative images in my mind. Whatever, is usually my reply to the people who use it.
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earth mom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-06-05 08:10 AM
Response to Original message
123. I don't think you're cranky at all!
Wow, can't believe some of the replies to this thread telling you to chill. I'm with you on this one mopaul. This preaching that is going on in this country is WAY out of hand and you have every right to feel intruded upon! If the shoe were on the other foot and these wacked out people were getting an earful themselves-that they didn't agree with-their reaction to it wouldn't be pretty! :grr:

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mopaul Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-06-05 08:23 AM
Response to Reply #123
124. "HAVE A SECULAR DAY"
Edited on Fri May-06-05 08:24 AM by mopaul
they wouldn't like that would they, huh? no, i didn't think so, nyaaah.

besides setting off my scrooge mode, it's another example of 'in your face-ism' and as other posters here have pointed out, is akin to 'fuck you if your not a born again christian'
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earth mom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-06-05 08:54 AM
Response to Reply #124
130. Exactly
I just don't get how some people here on DU don't get how obnoxious it is and keep defending it...it's like they refuse to hear the truth....

What's the saying? If you're not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.
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Dorian Gray Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-06-05 08:25 AM
Response to Original message
125. Being in New York
that's not something that I get often. It's happened once or twice, on the telephone, when I've called certain agencies. I just say thank you. It's easier than getting all riled up.

Of course, I'm somewhat religious so it doesn't offend me. It also doesn't offend me when someone says "God Bless you" when I sneeze.
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mopaul Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-06-05 08:29 AM
Response to Reply #125
126. 'god bless you' goes back hundreds of years
but 'have a blessed day' is a new one thought up by some right wing religious types, and it took off like 'where's the beef'.

this phrase seems to be the property of a certain, vocal group, who see dobson falwell and robertson as shining examples of christianity.
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heidiho Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-06-05 10:05 AM
Response to Original message
133. I have said "It's hard to have a blessed day in George Bush's America."
That sure does seem to offend them!

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barb162 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-06-05 03:02 PM
Response to Original message
135. I have heard it once or twice and I am not wild about it.
(But then again they mean well so it's hard to say something like "have a wicked day")
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geniph Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-06-05 03:41 PM
Response to Original message
137. I think the proper response is, "Well, bless your heart!"
in the true Southern sense of that phrase, of course. ;-)
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King Coal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-06-05 05:28 PM
Response to Original message
143. Hey Mopaul, have a dagnabbed blessed day!
Is it okay if you put a "dagnabbed" in front of it?
:smoke:
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mopaul Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat May-07-05 12:51 AM
Response to Reply #143
154. well i just ding dang will then, dernit
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Fescue4u Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-06-05 05:31 PM
Response to Original message
144. I agree. THANK YOU for that BLESSED post
Bless you mopaul.

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Jack_DeLeon Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-06-05 05:36 PM
Response to Original message
145. Geez some of you fuckers are wound up tight...
have a nice day, got to go to work now. :P
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quiet.american Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-06-05 05:43 PM
Response to Original message
146. Okay, so maybe it is pretentious
That's how the comment generally strikes me, the same as the co-worker who has a huge "I LOVE JESUS" bumpersticker taped to her cubicle wall. I just feel one should quietly worship, if one is so inclined, without "distorting one's face in public" to paraphrase Emmanuel, but that's how I feel about it and what I feel isn't necessarily THE TRUTH.

But, I appreciate the many ways different faiths and cultures have of "blessing" people -- I may not be a Hindu, but I don't get upset if a Hindu invokes Krishna on my behalf, I'm not a Muslim, and I don't get upset if a Muslim shares that he'll pray to Allah for me, and I'm not Jewish, but I can appreciate Shalom.

I take it on a case-by-case basis. Some people are attempting to blindly force-feed their beliefs to the public at large (aka wild-eyed fundies) and they're reprehensible. But some people are just trying to be good souls in wishing people well and I understand that, too.
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Merope215 Donating Member (574 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-06-05 05:43 PM
Response to Original message
147. I think it's kind of jarring too
I don't mind "God bless you" or "Merry Christmas" or whatever (possibly because I'm Catholic, even if only marginally) but "Have a blessed day" does kind of get on my nerves. Most expressions of religious goodwill I take as just that - expressions of goodwill - but "Have a blessed day" is a little too code-word for me, I guess.

In some areas, though, that kind of thing is sort of an accepted deal. My father used to be in the Air Force, and he and my mom were living in Arkansas for a while; both of them grew up in New York in a heavily Catholic area, where it's not really considered socially appropriate to talk about your religion even when you know that all your neighbors believe the same things you do. Anyway, when they moved in, the next-door neighbor came over and said to my father, "Hi, I'm from next door. What church do you go to?"

My dad was flabbergasted. He said, "We're non-practicing Druids." The guy next door never spoke to either of them again. :shrug:
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AnotherMother4Peace Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-06-05 05:49 PM
Response to Original message
148. Mopaul, lighten up - just 'cause the religious right hijacked
Christianity, doesn't mean all people of faith are diabolical. That group of Native Americans who camped next to us last year gave us some wonderful blessings, and I accepted them gratefully. Rell Sun, that wonderful Hawaiian female surfer, had a wonderful belief in her ancestors as protectors. And the thing I miss the most about my mother is that she was always praying for me.

And I'm glad someone dug this thread up, 'cause I didn't have time to respond to it the other day.
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Hubert Flottz Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-06-05 06:02 PM
Response to Original message
149. What the GOPers really mean to say is:
"Bend Over Please and Let Me Bless You!"
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6000eliot Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-06-05 06:15 PM
Response to Original message
151. The word "goodbye"
is a contraction meaning "god be with ye." So I don't know what the alternative is.
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Swamp Rat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-06-05 06:26 PM
Response to Original message
152. Praise Satan!
May his seed bear fruit in the loins of your daughters! :D
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mopaul Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat May-07-05 12:58 AM
Response to Original message
155. speaking for myself mo, i think your headline is hilarious
thanks, i was hoping SOMEONE would see the obvious humor of it.
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Piperay Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat May-07-05 04:23 AM
Response to Original message
156. Yeah
WHATEVER...tell them that in a cynical tone of voice. :evilgrin:
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