Would This Statement Offend You?

[noodleknitter]

Nope it is just you.

Well...it's genetic! Let's see, we have also sat around the cancer unit and laughed about bad wigs, vomit and illegal drugs! That is how we survived.We are blessed with humor as a coping skill.

 

[PrincessTiff]

I would think that most aetheist would be offended by her use of God in the sig, while at the same time stating she's an aetheist. So she's thanking something that she does not believe exists that she doesn't believe in something that doesn't exists? That's circular.

Don't worry, it's not the first time your wrong today.

 

[aztecgoods]

ummm... that's the joke.

Thank you for telling me that I had no idea it was a joke. I thought it was dead serious. Now I can go back to playing Grand Theft Auto on Playstation.

 

[basas]

It doesn't 'offend me', but I don't really find it to be a nice statement. I don't like it.

 

[imsorry]

Don't worry, it's not the first time your wrong today.

 

[Buckalew11]

Doesn't offend me.

 

[Uncle Remus]

I would think that most aetheist would be offended by her use of God in the sig, while at the same time stating she's an aetheist. So she's thanking something that she does not believe exists that she doesn't believe in something that doesn't exists? That's circular.

or tautological

 

[poohandwendy]

No, it would not offend me.

 

[wallyb]

irony - the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite,
typically for humorous or emphatic effect • a state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary
to what one expects and is often amusing as a result.

Geeez!

 

[NewJersey]

Wow, for someone to get offended over that is pretty sad. Should I get offended when I see the person driving in front of me with "praise Jesus - he died for us" as a bumper sticker?

I think we are too tied up with PC in this country.

 

[Oreo Cookie]

Wow, for someone to get offended over that is pretty sad. Should I get offended when I see the person driving in front of me with "praise Jesus - he died for us" as a bumper sticker?

I think we are too tied up with PC in this country.

Agree with ya fellow Jerseyan!

 

[goofygirl]

a sick child, war and famine in Africa, a friend with AIDS, racists jokes....nothing, really? I guess we just have to disagree about this one.

Hey, did you hear the one about the sick African kid with AIDS who was hungry and walked into a bar?

 

[JunieJay]

Wow, for someone to get offended over that is pretty sad. Should I get offended when I see the person driving in front of me with "praise Jesus - he died for us" as a bumper sticker?

I think we are too tied up with PC in this country.

I think you are comparing apples and oranges. The OP was upset because her friend's signature was not just merely advertising her own beliefs as an Athiest, but because with the statement, "thank God I'm an Athiest" she sort of undermines God, and what God means to people who believe in Him. That is what offended her, not that her friend doesn't believe in God.

I still don't think its worth getting upset over. People are going to believe what they will, and you really can't blame them. Best to worry about what your own heart says.

 

[magicmato]

I think you are comparing apples and oranges. The OP was upset because her friend's signature was not just merely advertising her own beliefs as an Athiest, but because with the statement, "thank God I'm an Athiest" she sort of undermines God, and what God means to people who believe in Him. That is what offended her, not that her friend doesn't believe in God.

I still don't think its worth getting upset over. People are going to believe what they will, and you really can't blame them. Best to worry about what your own heart says.

If a simple statement like 'thank God I am an atheist' can undermine God and what God means to people who believe in Him, then what sort of connection do those people really have? I would think someone could stand screaming on the street corner that God is a lie made up by churches to get money and power and it would no more shake your belief in God than someone stating Allah is the All Powerful Being.

If God is so powerful, then why would a few words undermine Him? I think people put too much emphaisis on words. If I choose to call God 'Charley', and I worship Charley with all my heart and soul, I tend to believe that God will know I mean Him and won't be all caught up in the semantics we humans seem to become obsessed with.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Not funny, not offensive. I mean, I wouldn't laugh if I read that, nor would I find myself getting angry. I'd let it go.

I agree w/JJ -- it has nothing to do with me, so I'd let it go.


If I felt upset about what someone else put in their siggy & couldn't let it go I'd have to look inside at me & work out my own reactions.

 

[SadieDog]

I don't find it offensive. I think it's funny.

 

[N.Bailey]

I guess you are a bigger person than I am. I think that if I hear people making fun of the things that are really important to me I feel a twinge of annoyance and think to myself, "Oh, shut up."

I'm against capital punishment, for example, and a joke about "frying" someone is never funny to me. I don't ever say anything, because I think that's what people are usually looking for, but I admit to not loving them so much.

I favor capital punishment ANY time that premeditation (not seconds now, but intentional preplanning) can be established, yet I do not find it a humorous topic and I doubt anyone could say anything funny enough to ever get me to laugh where it's concerned.

This woman's signature doesn't offend me, but it's far from funny.

I don't care what anyone's religious beliefs are, but I think it's silly to put it in your signature so it defines who you are to complete strangers. That part of it I do find a little funny. I guess if we're willing to expand the definition a little here, I guess I do find her a little funny.

 

[JunieJay]

If a simple statement like 'thank God I am an atheist' can undermine God and what God means to people who believe in Him, then what sort of connection do those people really have? I would think someone could stand screaming on the street corner that God is a lie made up by churches to get money and power and it would no more shake your belief in God than someone stating Allah is the All Powerful Being.

But this wasn't a stranger standing on the street corner, it was her friend, and that is why she was insulted. She felt her friend was undermining what she believes in.

I am not really defending the OP, because as I said, I don't see the big deal about it. I personally would not be offended if my friend had that in her signature, and don't really care what other people think about God, it doesn't effect me either way. However, I do think there is a difference between having a signature line that says "Proud to be an Athiest" versus one that says "Thank God I'm An Athiest", and I can see why others might be offended by the latter.

 

[magicmato]

But this wasn't a stranger standing on the street corner, it was her friend, and that is why she was insulted. She felt her friend was undermining what she believes in.

I am not really defending the OP, because as I said, I don't see the big deal about it. I personally would not be offended if my friend had that in her signature, and don't really care what other people think about God, it doesn't effect me either way. However, I do think there is a difference between having a signature line that says "Proud to be an Athiest" versus one that says "Thank God I'm An Athiest", and I can see why others might be offended by the latter.

You are still missing the point. No one, no matter who that person is, can undermine your faith if your faith is a true, strong one. If someone placing a sentence in their signature can undermine your faith, then perhaps you need to reevaluate that faith.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

You are still missing the point. No one, no matter who that person is, can undermine your faith if your faith is a true, strong one. If someone placing a sentence in their signature can undermine your faith, then perhaps you need to reevaluate that faith.

I don't agree. It's not the fact that the faith is being undermined, or that someone isn't trying to undermine the OP's faith, but rather that since this friend knows how strongly the OP (or OP's sister) feels about her faith, the friend is kind of thumbing her nose and not respecting the feelings of the OPs sister, knowing as a former Christian that the OP's sister has very strong feelings.

I don't believe that this is what she means by having that phrase in her signature, & believe that she can put whatever she wants. However, from the OP's sister's POV, I can understand that she would be upset. I still think she needs to get over it, because that statement isn't about her. (I think)