Friday, August 27, 2004
Politicians and "God bless"

I don't have a TV, so in the mornings I usually listen to the radio a bit to catch up on the news. I usually listen to NPR. Sure, they're a bit biased, but at least you know where they're coming from and can account for it.

Anyway, I caught a snippet of Democrat presidential nominee John Kerry closing out some backyard meeting with voters in, I think, Wisconsin. His closing words to his audience were (I'm paraphrasing the first part from memory; the italic part is a word-for-word quote) “Let's go work hard out there. Thank you, and God bless.”

After getting over the initial shock of NPR actually airing the words “God bless”, I got to thinking about this.

I know that most major candidates bandy about the words “God bless” like this, and it's always bothered me. But it bothers me in other settings too. It bothers me when it happens as an almost liturgical response when people greet you in church. Essentially, it bothers me when the context of usage is unthinking, formulaic, and trite.

Did John Kerry really, sincerely mean to ask God to bless those at that meeting who go out and work hard for him? Or was it just a little formula, a verbal tick of some sort, appended on out of habit and lack of thought because it seemed appropriate? In most contexts, among most people, I think it's the latter. And that's why it bothers me.

My further question: Remember that piece of scripture known as the “Ten Commandments” (Ex 20.1-17)? Is this sort of thing a violation of Ex 20.7? You know, taking the name of the Lord God in vain? Why utter “God bless” if one doesn't truly and sincerely mean for God to bless those to whom he is speaking? And if one doesn't mean it, isn't that taking the name of the Lord in vain, or using the name of God emptily?

Please note that I'm not saying that any and all uses of “God bless” are wrong. There are times when it is sincerely meant and appropriate. But I fear the phrase is used tritely far more often than it is used properly, and I think that as Christians, we should be aware of this and be diligent in ensuring that we say these sorts of things when we mean them, not when they're expected to be said or heard.

Side note: What is the correct response when someone says “God bless you!” to you in a personal conversation? I never know how to respond to this. I'm sure the proper answer isn't “He'd better!” I usually mutter something like, “well, thank you” but this doesn't seem right either. A knee-jerk “well, may God bless you too!” doesn't seem right for the very reasons mentioned above. So, what do you say? How should one respond in this situation?

Post Author: Rico
Friday, August 27, 2004 2:54:15 PM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00) 

#     |  Disclaimer  |  Comments [4]
Friday, August 27, 2004 3:12:29 PM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)
I always took "God bless" to be a shortened form of the Aaronic benediction out of the OT -- "Yahweh bless you and keep you", etc. I pronounce this blessing over my kids each night (well, most nights). I think it's a solemn act, not one to be handled tritely. I don't know JK's heart, so I won't speculate as to whether or not he meant it. (Then again, after calling the Packers' stadium "Lambert Field", I'm not sure that calling down manna from heaven could help him in Wisconsin!)

But as to the proper response to "God bless", I have no clue. I've wondered the same thing. I've tried out various responses, but haven't found one that is (a) sincere and (b) appropriate.
John
Friday, August 27, 2004 3:35:17 PM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)
Proper response: "Amen!" Duh.

Ohh, wait… you said sincere?
Jacob
Friday, August 27, 2004 3:45:35 PM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)
I suppose I should clarify: I'm not meaning this as a specific criticism against a particular candidate (John Kerry). I've heard GWB do it too; though I'm apt to think he is more likely sincere when he says it. I hear politicians from all sides use "God bless" to close speeches (think: State of the Union address from any President in recent memory). It just strikes me that it isn't entirely appropriate for most contexts in which it is used in an almost incantation-esque style today.

BTW, the "E-mail" field in comments is not required, but it busts things when I remove it. So feel free to leave that field blank when you leave comments.
Rico
Friday, August 27, 2004 6:53:47 PM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)
I have thought about the seriousness of that phrase and it's misuse, too. When you sneeze and someone gives the knee-jerk, "God bless you!" You usually respond, "Thanks!"

But, this brings two things to my mind.

First, when I sneeze and someone just says "Bless you," I usually respond, "You can't leave God out of it." Not, perhaps, the most curteous thing, but it gets the point across (and you can modify the tone and wording to be less harh :). My children now give me the full "God bless you." The wife, however, brought up an interesting point in that people can biblically bless others. But, not wanting to start an arguement, decided not to mention that it was a supplication to the Lord to bless the other individual.

Second, a good response to the full "God bless you" could, and I think should, be taken at face value, until you know otherwise. How about responding with something like "Thanks! He does every day and I appreciate it. How about you?"

At the very least, it will give them the knowledge that you consider what He has done for you. At the most, it may be a great witnessing opportunity.

Timbo
Comments are closed.