We atheists are a sorry lot. Something good (or tragic) happens to someone and what have we got to say?
Congratulations!
Good Luck!
Wishing you all the best!
-or-
My Sympathies.
I’m so sorry.
Condolences.
But aren’t the real gems theistic?
God bless.
Go with god. (Via con dios if you’re feeling international)
Godspeed. (My favourite, though I’m not sure what it actually means)
Bless your heart.
I’m certain there must be more that I can’t think of at the moment. Please add at will and then share if, as an atheist, you feel comfortable invoking god as a heartfelt gesture or expression.
From your lips to god’s ears…
When I was an atheist, I generally tried to avoid using the ‘G’ word. I didn’t want to mislead people into thinking that I believed there was such an entity as God, so I tried to steer clear of namedropping.
I did use the word “goodbye,” even though it originally came from “God be with ye.” But no way would I ever have said “Goodbye, and may God bless.”
Naturally, when I became a theist, I loosened up quite a bit in this area. But I still don’t throw the word “God” around much, unless I am with others who share my belief. To me, spreading the gospel doesn’t mean beating people over the head with it.
As an atheist I often use ‘Jesus’ as an expression of disbelief at other peoples stupidity.
Not sure there is a proper atheist equivalent, other than saying ‘You’re an idiot’
I did say inappropriate. I didn’t say unused. I catch myself using them all, but always too late.
I wish I could convince myself that I am using them in the same way I give and recieve pressies at crimbo (habit and tradition) but there is always the niggling feeling that by using them I am hinting to people that I am a theist.
I believe that God speed is short for My God speed you on your journey.
My random factors operate in you favor.
Via con Dios is one I like but I sometimes change it up with Jesus (hey-sous) con queso.
I’m actually down to just one from your list because I don’t believe in luck or wishing. It takes some thought but it’s doable. In fact, I like the spanish version of ‘bless you’ better. When someone sneezes you just say ‘salud!’ no hoping for a deity to bless someone with good health or whatever. You just hand over the health directly with ‘salud,’ no middleman.
I’m an atheist who uses god or jesus in my speech. My use doesn’t mean I endorse them, they’re just tools for communication. Like if I say 'shit!" I don’t actually mean feces or that I’m a big fan of the stuff.
I’m as atheist as they make ‘em, but I find a great delight in spouting, "Jay-sus, Mary an’ Joseph, ya darty bahstardt!" in a violently fake Irish accent.
Does anyone remember HeretiCards? Their website seems to be defunct now, so I guess they are out of business. They sold atheist-oriented greeting cards. Some of 'em were pretty funny.
I don’t find that those are gems at all. They’re just things everybody’s taught to say. So I find it annoying that I can’t go with something easy like that, not because they’re wonderful things to say. Oops, I have to be sincere.
