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Otherme
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Re: do you find it interesting that most of us on the boards associate ourselves with a particular religion
Posted by Ophelia
but when people use the word "God" to us, we are uncomfortable with it.
(I include myself in this) I just think it's so weird. one would think the opposite were true no...since most of us are of monotheistic religions...that God wouldn't be a "bad" word...
My two cents..
From a non religious person's point of view, I do feel slightly uncomfortable when people talk about god like its an absolute given - whether jewish, christian or any religious faith. To me, its more like talking about a fairy tale, and i always end up feeling vaguely unsettled. However, I certainly respect other's views and understand that 'blessing someone' is done with good intentions, so i don't get offended by that.
I grew up celebrating christmas, however it had absolutely no religious meaning to my family, but was a time for good will towards others, and celebration of family. If someone wants to wish me a happy holidays, happy hannukah, merry christmas, i'm cool with all of it because its done with good intent
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Posted 12/5/08 3:07 PM  |
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MissRadiant
Happily Ever After
Member since 9/08 2534 total posts
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Re: do you find it interesting that most of us on the boards associate ourselves with a particular religion
Posted by Kara
I find it sad, actually. Maybe it's my many, many years of Catholic school, but the word God doesn't make me uncomfortable. Hearing "God bless you" or "have a blessed day" doesn't make me uncomfortable. Talking about God doesn't make me uncomfortable. It shouldn't!
Don't get me wrong, I'm all about separation of church and state and freedom of religion (including freedom to not associate with any religion or believe in a god or gods at all)... but it still saddens me that people who DO believe in God are uncomfortable talking about it.
I have nothing but respect for people who do NOT believe in God. However, that doesn't mean that I need to act as if I also don't believe in God. (Sorry - tangent...)
ITA
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| Posted 12/5/08 3:09 PM |
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luckyinlove
I love my baby girls!
Member since 12/06 2441 total posts
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Lauren
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Re: do you find it interesting that most of us on the boards associate ourselves with a particular religion
I went to Catholic school my whole life -- God doesn't make me uncomfortable at all.
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| Posted 12/5/08 3:09 PM |
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Re: do you find it interesting that most of us on the boards associate ourselves with a particular religion
I was raised Jewish, but now I am agnostic. DH and I celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas purely for cultural reasons and will teach them as cultural traditions to our children. Like someone previously said, it almost seems like fairy tales or fables. I like to think of religion from a theological point of view, where people believe different things, but I don't include myself in that group. I totally respect what people believe. But to mention God to me, someone who isn't religious, it seems awkward. How do you know if someone is or is not religious? Can you really assume? It is almost like separation of church and state. If you are not at a religious event or with family where you KNOW their religious beliefs, then I'm not sure it is appropriate to use the word God and assume that they are comfortable with this.
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| Posted 12/5/08 3:24 PM |
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evnme
My little lamb
Member since 8/05 12633 total posts
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aka momma2b
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Re: do you find it interesting that most of us on the boards associate ourselves with a particular religion
i say god bless you when someone sneezes.
jews dont say God bless you as a regular course of conversation with non-jews.
but more traditional jews will say "baruch ha-shem" (blessed be God's name) in conversation with other jews.
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| Posted 12/5/08 3:25 PM |
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Ophelia
she's baaccckkkk ;)
Member since 5/06 23378 total posts
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remember, when Gulliver traveled....
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Re: do you find it interesting that most of us on the boards associate ourselves with a particular religion
Posted by evnme
jews dont say God bless you as a regular course of conversation with non-jews.
.
is there a particular reason or custom around this?
is it bad for a non jew to say it to a jew?
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| Posted 12/5/08 3:27 PM |
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Kara
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Member since 3/07 13217 total posts
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They call me "Tater Salad"
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Re: do you find it interesting that most of us on the boards associate ourselves with a particular religion
Posted by glinda-goodwitch
If you are not at a religious event or with family where you KNOW their religious beliefs, then I'm not sure it is appropriate to use the word God and assume that they are comfortable with this.
Really? To use the word God at all?
I am not Buddhist, but the word Buddha or talking about Buddha wouldn't make me uncomfortable.
Unless someone is forcing their beliefs on you or not respecting your beliefs, why should they feel that they cannot talk about God?
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| Posted 12/5/08 3:30 PM |
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MissRadiant
Happily Ever After
Member since 9/08 2534 total posts
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N
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Re: do you find it interesting that most of us on the boards associate ourselves with a particular religion
Posted by glinda-goodwitch
I was raised Jewish, but now I am agnostic. DH and I celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas purely for cultural reasons and will teach them as cultural traditions to our children. Like someone previously said, it almost seems like fairy tales or fables. I like to think of religion from a theological point of view, where people believe different things, but I don't include myself in that group. I totally respect what people believe. But to mention God to me, someone who isn't religious, it seems awkward. How do you know if someone is or is not religious? Can you really assume? It is almost like separation of church and state. If you are not at a religious event or with family where you KNOW their religious beliefs, then I'm not sure it is appropriate to use the word God and assume that they are comfortable with this.
I respect what you're saying but I have a question. I can see the situation getting awkward if the person is a "Bible Thumper" for lack of a better word. Someone that will try to push their religion on to you. I for one don't feel uncomfortable when my atheist friends speak about what they do or do not believe in. Or share their reasons for not believing.
This last part is not directed to you at all, but I just think that it is a shame that we have to censor ourselves so much around people. Would it be wrong of me if I am in a group setting and something bad happens to say "OMG help us" or something like that? As I have mentioned I can really understand both sides of the story but when things are said and done in a non-malicious way it is hard for me to understand why people can feel uncomfortable. I guess I am very non-chalant by nature so I dont read too much into things that are said to me or around me.
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| Posted 12/5/08 3:40 PM |
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evnme
My little lamb
Member since 8/05 12633 total posts
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aka momma2b
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Re: do you find it interesting that most of us on the boards associate ourselves with a particular religion
Posted by Ophelia
Posted by evnme
jews dont say God bless you as a regular course of conversation with non-jews.
.
is there a particular reason or custom around this?
is it bad for a non jew to say it to a jew?
think about it- we believe in God in different ways. the only God I feel comfortable asking for a blessing and receiving a blessing from is the one I believe in.
when a christian says God bless you, it implies Jesus. Jews dont believe in Jesus.
but if someone says that to me, i'm not insulted, i just say thank you.
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| Posted 12/5/08 3:40 PM |
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Kara
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Member since 3/07 13217 total posts
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They call me "Tater Salad"
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Re: do you find it interesting that most of us on the boards associate ourselves with a particular religion
Posted by evnme
when a christian says God bless you, it implies Jesus.
I'm a Christian and this really isn't true for me or the many Christians I know. Jesus and God are NOT synonymous.
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| Posted 12/5/08 3:44 PM |
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evnme
My little lamb
Member since 8/05 12633 total posts
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aka momma2b
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Re: do you find it interesting that most of us on the boards associate ourselves with a particular religion
Posted by Kara
Posted by evnme
when a christian says God bless you, it implies Jesus.
I'm a Christian and this really isn't true for me or the many Christians I know. Jesus and God are NOT synonymous.
it may not be true from your viewpoint, but it is how many non-christians feel when it is said to us.
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| Posted 12/5/08 3:46 PM |
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Ophelia
she's baaccckkkk ;)
Member since 5/06 23378 total posts
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remember, when Gulliver traveled....
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Re: do you find it interesting that most of us on the boards associate ourselves with a particular religion
Posted by evnme
Posted by Ophelia
Posted by evnme
jews dont say God bless you as a regular course of conversation with non-jews.
.
is there a particular reason or custom around this?
is it bad for a non jew to say it to a jew?
think about it- we believe in God in different ways. the only God I feel comfortable asking for a blessing and receiving a blessing from is the one I believe in.
when a christian says God bless you, it implies Jesus. Jews dont believe in Jesus.
but if someone says that to me, i'm not insulted, i just say thank you.
oh...I didn't really think of it like that.
I guess I felt that we believed in the same (or similar god) but just a different "coming" of him in Jesus (to Jews, he is not the messiah)
to me, it's hard for me to look at Judaism and not feel a certain kinship with it...after all Christianity was founded by Jews...
I guess my view is too simplistic. I believe in the same God Jesus (the jew) believed in...at least that is how I see it.
thanks for answering. 
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| Posted 12/5/08 3:47 PM |
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evnme
My little lamb
Member since 8/05 12633 total posts
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aka momma2b
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Re: do you find it interesting that most of us on the boards associate ourselves with a particular religion
Posted by Ophelia
thanks for answering.
you're welcome!
this is a very touchy and controversial and emotional subject. and there is no way that people will all agree on the topic or ever see 100% eye to eye.
we just have to get to a place of respect and understanding and tolerance of other people's faiths and beliefs.
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| Posted 12/5/08 3:50 PM |
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Kara
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Member since 3/07 13217 total posts
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They call me "Tater Salad"
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Re: do you find it interesting that most of us on the boards associate ourselves with a particular religion
Posted by Ophelia
Posted by evnme
Posted by Ophelia
Posted by evnme
jews dont say God bless you as a regular course of conversation with non-jews.
.
is there a particular reason or custom around this?
is it bad for a non jew to say it to a jew?
think about it- we believe in God in different ways. the only God I feel comfortable asking for a blessing and receiving a blessing from is the one I believe in.
when a christian says God bless you, it implies Jesus. Jews dont believe in Jesus.
but if someone says that to me, i'm not insulted, i just say thank you.
oh...I didn't really think of it like that.
I guess I felt that we believed in the same (or similar god) but just a different "coming" of him in Jesus (to Jews, he is not the messiah)
to me, it's hard for me to look at Judaism and not feel a certain kinship with it...after all Christianity was founded by Jews...
I guess my view is too simplistic. I believe in the same God Jesus (the jew) believed in...at least that is how I see it.
thanks for answering.
ITA with Jess. The way I see it, we all believe in the same God. We just all see God differently.
When I was in grammar school, we were given a really great analogy. We were told that God had a mirror that fully reflected all that God is. God dropped the mirror down to Earth, where it shattered into a miillion different pieces. Different people picked up different parts of the mirror and each person saw different aspects of God. Thus, different religions and beliefs were formed. No one religion is "right" or "wrong" - we just all see God a little big differently because we all have different parts of the mirror.
BTW - By "God" I don't even have to mean one, single being... It could just mean the concept of a being or beings greater than oneself.
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| Posted 12/5/08 3:53 PM |
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Re: do you find it interesting that most of us on the boards associate ourselves with a particular religion
Posted by MissRadiant
Posted by glinda-goodwitch
I was raised Jewish, but now I am agnostic. DH and I celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas purely for cultural reasons and will teach them as cultural traditions to our children. Like someone previously said, it almost seems like fairy tales or fables. I like to think of religion from a theological point of view, where people believe different things, but I don't include myself in that group. I totally respect what people believe. But to mention God to me, someone who isn't religious, it seems awkward. How do you know if someone is or is not religious? Can you really assume? It is almost like separation of church and state. If you are not at a religious event or with family where you KNOW their religious beliefs, then I'm not sure it is appropriate to use the word God and assume that they are comfortable with this.
I respect what you're saying but I have a question. I can see the situation getting awkward if the person is a "Bible Thumper" for lack of a better word. Someone that will try to push their religion on to you. I for one don't feel uncomfortable when my atheist friends speak about what they do or do not believe in. Or share their reasons for not believing.
This last part is not directed to you at all, but I just think that it is a shame that we have to censor ourselves so much around people. Would it be wrong of me if I am in a group setting and something bad happens to say "OMG help us" or something like that? As I have mentioned I can really understand both sides of the story but when things are said and done in a non-malicious way it is hard for me to understand why people can feel uncomfortable. I guess I am very non-chalant by nature so I dont read too much into things that are said to me or around me.
Me personally, I wouldn't really get insulted. It depends on what was said. Someone saying "God bless your heart" or something like that is harmless because it's just another way of saying that you're a good person. Saying "May God bless your child" may be a little more awkward. I can see how someone could be put off by it though. I'm not big on censorship, but since religion is SUCH a touchy subject, I do think people need to be careful in what they say. More so than in other things. Religion has had a history of persecution and people fighting and dying over it, and we have never overcome our differences. Religious differences still exist. And even though most people are more accepting than in previous times, it is still a sensitive topic. KWIM?
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| Posted 12/5/08 3:55 PM |
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Shelly
She's 7!!!
Member since 8/05 14624 total posts
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Re: do you find it interesting that most of us on the boards associate ourselves with a particular religion
Posted by Bxgell2
You know, thinking about it, I've never heard a jewish person say god bless you, unless in reference to sneezing. In fact, I don't think I ever really heard many references to "god" and "bless" growing up when I was in synogogue. But then again, maybe that's because most of our prayers are in hebrew? 
Jews really don't say "G-d Bless" (aside from when someone sneezes). First off, many of us call G-d "Hashem" which literally means "the name" so that we don't take G-d's name in vain. If anything, we say "Baruch Hashem" which just means thank g-d or Blessed is G-d.
Message edited 12/5/2008 3:57:27 PM.
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| Posted 12/5/08 3:57 PM |
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MissRadiant
Happily Ever After
Member since 9/08 2534 total posts
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N
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Re: do you find it interesting that most of us on the boards associate ourselves with a particular religion
Posted by glinda-goodwitch
Me personally, I wouldn't really get insulted. It depends on what was said. Someone saying "God bless your heart" or something like that is harmless because it's just another way of saying that you're a good person. Saying "May God bless your child" may be a little more awkward. I can see how someone could be put off by it though. I'm not big on censorship, but since religion is SUCH a touchy subject, I do think people need to be careful in what they say. More so than in other things. Religion has had a history of persecution and people fighting and dying over it, and we have never overcome our differences. Religious differences still exist. And even though most people are more accepting than in previous times, it is still a sensitive topic. KWIM?
I definitely understand what you are saying. You are so right.
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| Posted 12/5/08 4:04 PM |
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BunnyWife
Insert Witty Comment Here
Member since 5/07 8274 total posts
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BunnyWife
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Re: do you find it interesting that most of us on the boards associate ourselves with a particular religion
Posted by Otherme
Posted by Ophelia
but when people use the word "God" to us, we are uncomfortable with it.
(I include myself in this) I just think it's so weird. one would think the opposite were true no...since most of us are of monotheistic religions...that God wouldn't be a "bad" word...
My two cents..
From a non religious person's point of view, I do feel slightly uncomfortable when people talk about god like its an absolute given - whether jewish, christian or any religious faith. To me, its more like talking about a fairy tale, and i always end up feeling vaguely unsettled.
This is how I feel. Do you consider yourself an atheist?
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| Posted 12/5/08 4:14 PM |
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Sash
Peace
Member since 6/08 10312 total posts
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fka LIW Smara
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Re: do you find it interesting that most of us on the boards associate ourselves with a particular religion
I am not uncomfortable, unless I am yelling at DH for say "I swear to.." Burns my @ss everytime.
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| Posted 12/5/08 4:25 PM |
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Jax430
Hi!
Member since 5/05 18919 total posts
Name:
Jackie
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Re: do you find it interesting that most of us on the boards associate ourselves with a particular religion
Posted by Shelly
Posted by Bxgell2
You know, thinking about it, I've never heard a jewish person say god bless you, unless in reference to sneezing. In fact, I don't think I ever really heard many references to "god" and "bless" growing up when I was in synogogue. But then again, maybe that's because most of our prayers are in hebrew?
Jews really don't say "G-d Bless" (aside from when someone sneezes). First off, many of us call G-d "Hashem" which literally means "the name" so that we don't take G-d's name in vain. If anything, we say "Baruch Hashem" which just means thank g-d or Blessed is G-d.
I was just thinking about that. If one of my more observant friends said "Baruch Hashem," it wouldn't phase me. Also, I often say things like, "G-d willing" when talking about a positive upcoming event (e.g., "My family will be going away on a nice long vacation, g-d willing"). I think I got used to that b/c my mom and grandmother were always trying to defend against the "evil eye", or they were expecting something negative to happen to interfere with upcoming good events. For some reason, it just phases me more when someone says "G-d bless you" (not in reference to sneezing), b/c I associate it with something non-Jewish. Again, I'm not offended by it, but I'm not used to it either.
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| Posted 12/5/08 4:40 PM |
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Otherme
Square head cutie pants
Member since 3/06 6899 total posts
Name:
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Re: do you find it interesting that most of us on the boards associate ourselves with a particular religion
Posted by BunnyWife
Posted by Otherme
Posted by Ophelia
but when people use the word "God" to us, we are uncomfortable with it.
(I include myself in this) I just think it's so weird. one would think the opposite were true no...since most of us are of monotheistic religions...that God wouldn't be a "bad" word...
My two cents..
From a non religious person's point of view, I do feel slightly uncomfortable when people talk about god like its an absolute given - whether jewish, christian or any religious faith. To me, its more like talking about a fairy tale, and i always end up feeling vaguely unsettled.
This is how I feel. Do you consider yourself an atheist?
more an agnostic.. because i feel like i don't absolutely know there is no God, and don't have proof of it either way so i don't feel i can say with certainty one way or the other. Religion just doesn't play a part in my life.
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| Posted 12/5/08 4:41 PM |
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Jax430
Hi!
Member since 5/05 18919 total posts
Name:
Jackie
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Re: do you find it interesting that most of us on the boards associate ourselves with a particular religion
Posted by evnme
Posted by Ophelia
Posted by evnme
jews dont say God bless you as a regular course of conversation with non-jews.
.
is there a particular reason or custom around this?
is it bad for a non jew to say it to a jew?
think about it- we believe in God in different ways. the only God I feel comfortable asking for a blessing and receiving a blessing from is the one I believe in.
when a christian says God bless you, it implies Jesus. Jews dont believe in Jesus.
but if someone says that to me, i'm not insulted, i just say thank you.
Marni, I tend to agree with you about the association with Jesus (whether intended or not), being part of my discomfort.
That said, when my father and grandmother were both sick, and people told me and my mom they would light candles in church for them, we were very touched and accepting of it, b/c we would take the prayers from whereever we could get them, so there is definitely a big contradiction there on my part.
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| Posted 12/5/08 4:46 PM |
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Sash
Peace
Member since 6/08 10312 total posts
Name:
fka LIW Smara
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Re: do you find it interesting that most of us on the boards associate ourselves with a particular religion
Posted by Kara
Posted by evnme
when a christian says God bless you, it implies Jesus.
I'm a Christian and this really isn't true for me or the many Christians I know. Jesus and God are NOT synonymous.
I am catholic and jesus and God are not the same. When I say or refer to God I am not talking about jesus.
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| Posted 12/5/08 4:59 PM |
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JennZ
MY LIFE!!
Member since 8/05 25463 total posts
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Re: do you find it interesting that most of us on the boards associate ourselves with a particular religion
Posted by Emily
As the lone Jew in the land of Catholics (NC) I have learned to embrass all sayings with "g-d" and "jesus". I know that the NC people do not have evil intentions so I usually say "Thank you" and move on. Bless your heart, G-d bless, Praise Jesus, yada yada...it is all good to me.
As a fellow NC resident. SO TRUE. I am in fact agnostic and just say thanks and move along. In the land of the Baptists, thats all you can do. Im WAY out numbered.
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| Posted 12/5/08 5:03 PM |
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Re: do you find it interesting that most of us on the boards associate ourselves with a particular religion
Posted by Otherme
Posted by BunnyWife
Posted by Otherme
Posted by Ophelia
but when people use the word "God" to us, we are uncomfortable with it.
(I include myself in this) I just think it's so weird. one would think the opposite were true no...since most of us are of monotheistic religions...that God wouldn't be a "bad" word...
My two cents..
From a non religious person's point of view, I do feel slightly uncomfortable when people talk about god like its an absolute given - whether jewish, christian or any religious faith. To me, its more like talking about a fairy tale, and i always end up feeling vaguely unsettled.
This is how I feel. Do you consider yourself an atheist?
more an agnostic.. because i feel like i don't absolutely know there is no God, and don't have proof of it either way so i don't feel i can say with certainty one way or the other. Religion just doesn't play a part in my life.
I'm glad someone else feels this way. I just sometimes feel alone in this, thinking is it wrong that religion doesn't play a role in my life? Should it? I know it doesn't have to, but it is nice to see I'm not alone.
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| Posted 12/5/08 5:21 PM |
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