Reader Bob has noticed himself doing something I figure many atheists do:
When I think about family and friends, I will often think to myself, “God bless ’em” when I am worried about them. This is not said out loud; it is just a personal thought toward the person I am thinking of, a long ingrained habit.
As an atheist I certainly don’t think it actually does anything. But am I planning on stopping? No. Old thought patterns are hard to change. I have just been laughing lately when I catch myself doing this.
Do other atheists do the same thing? How do they deal with it? What are suggestions on other ways to phrase these thoughts?
Seems like I need to train myself to think “Be safe, I care about you” instead…
I don’t see any problem with thinking the way Bob does, since it’s more out of habit than belief. I’m hard-pressed to think of examples of God coming into my thoughts, even though I say “religious” phrases out loud all the time (“Dear Lord,” “Bless you” (after someone sneezes), and “Oh God” come to mind).
Does anyone else think religious thoughts as an atheist?