How does an atheist respond to someone who blesses them. This happens to me occasionally, one of the first and most memorable happened when I was returning a cell phone I had found. After several calls back and forth, I ended up driving into Georgetown in Washington DC to connect with the phone’s owner who was leaving DC that day. He managed to spot my car in the traffic and I just handed the phone to him through the window. To thank me he said “God Bless You” and was off. At the time I was driving and did not have time to think of a response other than you are welcome.
After reflection I think a better response would be “Thank you for your kind thoughts, but I am an atheist”. Would someone who routinely bless someone be shocked that an evil atheist went out of their way to help them? I wish not but think so.
Is there a better way to handle this situation?
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Just saying “Your welcome” was the appropriate response in this situation. He probably says “God bless you” out of habit. It’s his way of showing extreme gratitude. Since you are likely never to see this person again, and the exchange was very brief, telling him that you are an atheist would have done no good.
I get the feeling that you are more interested in the opportunity to inform a religious person that “evil” atheists really do good deeds. All atheists should strive to change incorrect perceptions of atheists, but this was not the time or place. The exchange was too brief and all you would have accomplished by telling the stranger that you are an atheist is maybe causing him to feel uncomfortable for a few second and maybe you gaining the personal satisfaction of knowing that you told a god-blessing-person that you are an atheist. Nothing positive would have been accomplished by either effect.
But if someone who you often see repeatedly tells you, “God bless you,” then you should definitely inform that person that you appreciate their good will but you are an atheist so there is no need to say “God bless you.”
I think this is excellent advice, Killian.
Killian…Maybe getting the ol’ “God Bless You” makes an atheist feel uncomfortable. Did he (the believer) consider that? Why should the atheist avoid expressing themselves for fear that things might get uncomfortable? Making someone uncomfortable doesn’t take away from the good deed that was done.
I understand that the meeting is brief…in your opinion, too brief to accomplish anything. I argue that short, personal interaction with a non-threatening, do-gooder atheist might be the only/best place to change the perception of the ‘evil’ atheist. I mean…when’s the last time an atheist went door to door ?
I work in retail and I get the a ‘God Bless You’ from time to time. I’m at work, so I say nothing……and probably wouldn’t even if I wasn’t at work, but I don’t think that means it’s a bad idea to let them know that you’re an atheist. “Thank you for you’re kind thoughts, but I am an atheist” is respectful and honest…just as if a Hindu said “May the presence of Shiva be with you” it would be acceptable for a Christian to respond with “Thank you for your kind thoughts, but I am a Christian.”
Don’t second guess yourself. You did fine.