God Bless You?

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oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
8,696
113
#1
Is it ok to say "God bless you" to a stranger?
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
55,247
25,717
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#2
Sure, why not? They are free to say whatever they like in return ;)
 
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shotgunner

Guest
#3
My step daughters father, got mad at me for saying "God Bless you" to him, even though he claimed to be a Christian. He died at 45. Possibly he would have benefitted from the blessing. Just saying.
 
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Galahad

Guest
#4
My step daughters father, got mad at me for saying "God Bless you" to him, even though he claimed to be a Christian. He died at 45. Possibly he would have benefitted from the blessing. Just saying.
To me, that is funny. It is. Not glad he died. But "Possibly he would have benefitted from the blessing." Excellent humor. I will reread it to get another laugh.

Thank you!
 

Joidevivre

Senior Member
Jul 15, 2014
3,838
271
83
#5
All in good eye contact, situation, and tone of voice.

Use your spiritual discernment.
 
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atwhatcost

Guest
#6
Is it ok to say "God bless you" to a stranger?
A few weeks ago, on this site, we were talking about God's blessings and how he has given us power, through him, to actually bless people.

My reaction was that takes a sneeze to an entirely different level.

We just got home from shopping. (I'll have to put the rest of the groceries away in a minute or two.) A woman sneezed. That discussion played in my head before I said, "God bless you." Then I followed it up with a short prayer to ask God to truly bless her.

So, yeah, we can. But when we do, we should really mean it.
 
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oldthennew

Guest
#7
***hugs*** are going out to those who truly 'BLESS' in LOVE.....

for those who don't know, this is always ON AUTOMATIC for those who LOVE our MAKER!!!
:):cool:
 

Reborn

Senior Member
Nov 16, 2014
4,087
216
63
#8
l say yes.
l like to say it to Atheists.
 
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shotgunner

Guest
#9
l say yes.
l like to say it to Atheists.
I like to shout God bless you, or praise the Lord whenever I hear someone say God D--n.
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
8,696
113
#10
Just thought of some verses:

Matt 5:44-47 (KJV)
44) But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45) That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46) For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47) And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more [than others]? do not even the publicans so?

I guess that would definitely include blessing everyone then?
 
I

in_the_light

Guest
#11
If we mean it, why not say it? I once sent a message where i said God bless to an atheist when it was his birthday and to my surprise he got very happy cause nobody had remembered his birthday, but before that he would feel extremely bothered when i just mentioned God.
 
Aug 13, 2013
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#12
I say God bless you to my friend when we say goodbye. One time I forgot and she said it to me first. It does make people feel better, amen.
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
30,704
3,649
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#13
No. It's a violation of the separation of God and man (tongue in cheek).

If they are spreading heresy...no, no, no.
 
Last edited:
Dec 1, 2014
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#14
God Bless You: three simple words of love and good cheer.

If folks don't like them, I have three other words for their listening pleasure.
 

PopClick

Senior Member
Aug 12, 2011
4,055
136
63
#15
Just thought of some verses:

Matt 5:44-47 (KJV)
44) But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45) That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46) For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47) And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more [than others]? do not even the publicans so?

I guess that would definitely include blessing everyone then?
Do you mean that it might not be appropriate because the listener might be offended? Or because you don't really know or necessarily like the person, so you're not sure if you mean it? Or because you're not sure that a non-Christian should be blessed by God while they're living apart from His ways?

If you are worried about causing offense, then I agree with Magenta: say it if you feel led, and they are free to say whatever they like in return.

The way I look at the other two situations, is that the greatest blessing of all would be if they came to know Christ and grew to be the person that God wanted them to be. So I feel like I can say "God bless you" to anybody, and mean it.

Or did you mean something else?
 
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atwhatcost

Guest
#17
God Bless You: three simple words of love and good cheer.

If folks don't like them, I have three other words for their listening pleasure.
(finger counting.... one, two -- no, that's not it. One -- no that's not it. One -- no, that's not it. One, two, three, four -- no, that's not it. One, two, three? Aha!)
"love you too?" :confused:

:p
 

Jenizona

Senior Member
Aug 8, 2015
629
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#18
Always say "Bless you!" Or even, "God bless you!" when a stranger sneezes, that's just polite! Any other time, and it comes across as odd. Depending on context, I guess. And I'm sure atheists get a lot of "God bless you!" from people trying to be funny, so I'm not sure that's helpful! Would be better to buy them a cup of coffee and have them explain their beliefs to you. And hopefully you'll get a chance to respond nicely, in kind. :cool:
 

Grandpa

Senior Member
Jun 24, 2011
11,551
3,188
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#19
Yes. God Bless You.

Its fun to say.

I also like to say "I forgive you."

That one is really fun to say when you are looking the person in the eye.
 
Dec 1, 2014
9,701
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#20
(finger counting.... one, two -- no, that's not it. One -- no that's not it. One -- no, that's not it. One, two, three, four -- no, that's not it. One, two, three? Aha!)
"love you too?" :confused:

:p
You crap me up! :D You're getting a rep. :cool: