God Bless ME?

Published on April 5, 2007 By Texas Wahine In Blogging

I have recently taken to giving to the homeless at every opportunity. Never a large amount, since I'm a debit card girl anyway and don't generally have much cash on me. But when I approach the red light or stop sign I dig through what I have and come up with a dollar or two.

I used to just drive right by and could very much justify doing so, but then I got to thinking about how much other people have done for me. I have been touched by more generosity than one person could possibly deserve, much less what *I* deserve. There's no good reason for me to be stingy.

A dollar here and two dollars there means very, very little to me, but perhaps that tiny amount, when added with the other money he collects might mean a hot fast food meal or a satisfying pack of smokes.

So I feel that it is good and right for me to do this. Particularly because it's the kind of example I want to set for my boys. I want them to appreciate the kindness of others and recognize that helping and being helped are a wonderful and fulfilling part of the human experience.

Invariably, though, the homeless person I hand a wrinkled dollar bill over to says "God Bless You". I suppose this shouldn't bother me, but it does. I don't give in the name of a god. Giving doesn't have to be tied to religion. Sometimes we do things because they are good, happy things that are constructive. I don't need a god to bless me. People bless me.

I know this is nit-picky, but I sometimes feel so frustrated by the insistence by many that the only way good, kind, or helpful things can be accomplished or received is through religion.

I realize some people truly are motivated to give and help because of their faith, and I think that is good. If your faith is a positive, constructive force in your life, and particularly if it motivates you to do good things you might otherwise not do, then I don't have any criticism for it. I know some people are just jerks and if it weren't for their religious beliefs they might be even more insufferable. So, then religion is good.

I just wish religious people would realize that it's not the only way to happiness, success, or kindness. Some people are happy and "blessed" without a god. Some people do things that are kind and good without fear of eternal damnation.

Comments

pseudosoldier

on Apr 05, 2007

Tex, your points at the end of the article are valid, I think. And I have felt uncomfortable receiving a "God Bless You" after giving like you have. But I don't know that anyone using "God Bless You" necessarily make the assumptions that you feel they do.

"God Bless You" can easily be interpreted as short-hand (or short-speak, I suppose) for "May God bless you for your generosity in giving me this money." It's often just a religious way of saying "Thank you," IMO.

And if they do mean more by it, if it's truly sincere and said with religious connotations, I still doubt that there are those assumptions behind it. Yes, they may feel self-assured that you must be an adherent of their religion to be such a nice, generous person... but I don't think that's always the case.

Still, I'm not telling you to feel differently. It's my personal opinion that you are blessed and happy without *realizing* you are with God (and there are some of us who are religious who do positive things out of love and not out of fear of eternal damnation).

For good measure: God Bless You (although I know he already has).

Buddah Moskowitz

on Apr 05, 2007

As a former atheist, I completely agree with you: it can be annoying, or in some cases, just needless to say God Bless You.
However, for many, they have no way to express the magnitude of their gratitude, save for invoking the name of God. You're right, for many, the only way some people do the
right thing is because of religion. Try to think of it as the best they could do, rather than as a burden to you.

I don't think that man created God, but I do think that man created religion, and each religion bares the flaws of its maker.

KFC Kickin For Christ

on Apr 05, 2007

I think they are just trying to give you the highest form of a compliment they know how to. In this case by invoking God as part of their thank you. They may assume you are religious or they themselves may believe in God and are recognizing that God just worked thru you to bless them.

Sometimes they say that because it's another way of saying...."may God bless you as you have blessed me."

Shovelheat

on Apr 05, 2007

I love you Texas Wahine.

InBloom

on Apr 05, 2007

I agree pretty much w/ what everyone said about "God Bless You" being the highest form of thanks some people can think of giving.

I'd take it with a grain of salt...it's probably also out of mere habit that they say this.

Toblerone

on Apr 06, 2007

This reminds me of the time I got baptised and my skin caught on fire. Fun times.

Random

Abe Cubbage

on Apr 06, 2007

Tex, If you are talking about the "homeless" that solicit for money, most of them are either scamming or use the money for illegal drugs. They invoke God on their cardboard signs and in their "verbal thanks" because most of the people who give to them find it validating. Giving to this type of person is enabling them to continue a self-destructive lifestyle.

Myrrander

on Apr 08, 2007

Mwahahahaha...THEY MIGHT WANT ILLICIT DRUGS! Hahahahahahahaha...no better way to numb the pain of a fuck-up life than to do some drugs, Abe Cubby or whatever your name is. She already said she'd like them to get a pack of smokes, she's friggin' aware of what she's giving them money for...hahahahaha You miss the point...somebody who doesn't believe in a god can still give a bit of themselves without any sort of caring about what that person is going to use it on. So the hell what if it is illicit drugs? Or food? Or porno? Or buying a new flea collar for the cat? The point is, she gave because she wanted to, and she doesn't need to know A) where the money's going or

have some sky fairy's blessing for doing it. You're a cold-hearted sonofabitch, Cubby, and I hope you never find yourself in need. If you do, though, please let me be the first to offer you my bit of charity -- a hearty "God bless you."

Gideon MacLeish

on Apr 08, 2007

The point is, she gave because she wanted to, and she doesn't need to know A) where the money's going or

have some sky fairy's blessing for doing it.

Bingo...I learned this one a few years back...gave five bucks to a guy that lived on the loading dock of an old warehouse...he said he was going to use it for tobacco pipe. At first I was offended, but then I thought about it. My five bucks wasn't going to get him a place to stay, it wasn't going to get him dress clothes and even if it did they'd get ruined by him living outside in them day after day. And he already knew where the soup kitchen was. So if that five bucks could buy him a little bit of happiness in some decent pipe tobacco, I was a bit of an ass for begrudging him that.

I'm pretty selective about when and to whom I give. When I give, though, I don't care what they do with the money. That's honestly not my concern. The decent thing to do, in my opinion, is to give in the first place.

I'm going to say something the best I can, Tex. I would virtually guarantee they don't mean anything bad by it. If they're reduced to begging, it is quite possible that they believe that blessing you is the best gift they can give in return. Take it for what it is, would be my suggestion.

dynamaso

on Apr 12, 2007

The other 'God Bless You' that annoys me is the one people say when someone nearby sneezes. A sneeze is an involuntary reflex, not some mystical expulsion of bad spirits or a harbinger of the Black Plague (two of the explinations as to why people say this is to 'protect themselves' from these supposed causes). What makes it even more ridiculous is when this statement is issued from people who are self-declared athiests.

Great article, Tex.

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