I work at a catholic hospital (how ironic) so I have to deal with seeing crosses and statues of jesus everywhere. I also respect other people's feelings and beliefs even if I think they are crazy! I love helping my patients get better, but it drives me nuts when I hear families pray about their sick loved one. I just want to scream "why didn't your god keep them from getting sick in the first place!

Also sometimes people say they're praying for you.

They mean well. Don't insult them when they do that.

if god was so great you wouldn't need blood work.

When people say things like this to me I just go along with it .I respond with what I figure they would think is the appropriate answer .I see no need to embarrass people that are just attempting to be nice to me.I have no animosity towards people who believe in fairytales

Whether it was a faith based hospital or not, most believers will automatically assume that you are one, too. They haven't really figured out that agnostism and atheism, not to mention Judaism, Buddhism, Islam and other religions are growing in this country. All they know is what they've grown up on and they feel like everyone is on the same page. It's not their fault. They have been raised in an environment that dictates they don't ask questions, they don't assume others believe differently and they don't need to acknowledge when others don't believe in them - whether it's atheists, Buddhists, Jews or any other religion. They all are comfortable in the thought that everyone THEY encounter will be of the same belief system they have. They really don't know how to handle any of us that are of another mind!

there are asstronauts who have been in space who believe. even astro physicists . incredible the dissonance

Was it a faith based facility, out here we have Methodist Health and CHI hospital (Catholic Health Initiative). I hear faith based messages all the time from them, I just ignore it. I have considered switching my health care to the University Health system, but inertia. I hate change and their location is good.

I’m constantly wished a blessed day. I just smile and walk away.

I agree. People just assume everyone is Christian .

I agree. People just assume everyone is Christian .

It sounds scripted to me, as most things very religious people say. "I am blessed, and so are you." "He is with us." "God loves you." "Have a blessed day." "He is watching over us."

I've been going to phlebotomists, a survivor of blood cancer for over five years and never heard such a thing. Besides all blood is sent to the lab. WTF was she referring to?

As a former phlebotomist, the only 'blessings' people have are being able to inherit good veins from their parents...Even without presenting myself as an atheist, I found it to be good a practice not to talk about things that might rile the patient (religion, politics, disease, etc.). People are usually anxious enough about getting a needle in the first place...

Ignore it.. no point in wasting your energy on them...

I sometimes struggle with these greetings too. For me, it depends on the person and their attitude. Most often, people are just good hearted and wishing you well. I just let it roll off my back and take it for what it is worth.

"Why'd you take my blood if you're talking to someone who already knows?"

That sounds like some Handmaid's Tale talk right there. Creepy.