Getting upset every time someone says something with religious connotations to it is only going to make your life more difficult. I had a manager that, when she found out I was atheist, used to deliberately talk about religion in meetings and then single me out as an atheist. Ex. “ We all believe in a higher power, that there’s someone watching over and protecting us. Well, all except Alicia. She’s atheist.” For reference, this was a home health care company, so no reason to bring religion into anything. I tried calmly and professionally discussing how offensive it was to me and asking her to stop, but she just got worse. What the experience taught me is that I can either roll my eyes and move on or be miserable. I chose the former. In a situation where someone is blessing me or saying Merry Christmas or some other good-faith phrase, I choose to take it as “hey, that person said something that they feel is nice and I’m going to appreciate the thought.” I don’t have to agree with their beliefs to appreciate a nice thought.

I would act shocked and say, "Cool, I didnt know you are Wiccan". If they're Christian, they'll stop saying it for fear others will think they're Wiccan. Lol

I hate it when store clerks do it. I probably look a bit maniacal.

But I've yet to find the appropriate response. It's their delusion after all and they're trying to be nice.

It was the National Day of Prayer the other day to which news I said "Hail Harry Potter". I'm getting jaded as I age perhaps?

I'm not sure what the answer is here - but good luck to you.

When Christian's say that to me I simply consider it an attempt to wish me well and let it go. Fundamentalist intolerance from Christians or Aethiest is tiring. Live and let live.

This made me smile.

There is a tradition in our family, that developed from one of our ancient grandmothers.
As a child, she got pulled up for the use of profanity in vexing situations.
Her mother told her, that whenever she needed to swear, to just say "Bless You", or "Bless them"

So now, when we hear someone in on the joke say "Bless You", or comment on a group of people and say "Bless Them", we know what they REALLY think.

My recommendation is to answer with a phrase that conveys your discomfort, by putting them in an uncomfortable condition without being insulting.

I might be tempted with something really flowery like
"And a blessing upon your ancient ancestors and their distinguished progeny", followed up by a deep bow and a flourish of the hand.

You may find yourself ostracised and persona non grata. Maybe wise to let it go. It is your workplace after all where you spend a lot of your time I would suspect. Probably best not to sow seeds of antagonism.

This should end well. Please keep us updated.

Such a statement does not seem to be an attempt to foist his religion on people but rather to convey good wishes for others to have a good day. Since the intent behind this wish is kind, of course coming from a religious person, I would look to the intent. Having no ax to grind, nothing to prove, I would just accept his good intentions and respond: Have a beautiful day, too and thank you.

One of the meanings is for blessings = good fortune, so why not just take it as another version of: Have a nice day?

just blow it off...

turn it around and joke back saying "under his eye"

Best wishes on your new job search.

How 'bout responding with "thank you".
I maintain that my life has been blessed, not by any deity, but by life itself. No deity required.

You are offended too eaisly. Why would that offend you? You make too much about nothing. The simple thing is to just ignore.No need foe militancy.

I don't have a problem with that unless your manager has been asked by you not to say it since you consider it offensive. I don't think of the word blessed in a religious way...its a feeling of well being to me.

Of all the things to be offended by...

I understand your frustration. It may be considered to be nice, but on some level, it's still an assertion that their beliefs are relevant in the work place. I saw a truck today advertising pest control, with Jesus fish symbols on it. I guess that was a signal to Christians that they should assume the business was more honest and scrupulous than none Christian bug killers?

I say "I guess that's better than having a cursed one."

One might as well be offended with the ubiquitous “Bless you” after you sneeze. Personally, I prefer “gezundeit,” as I am of German ancestry, and also because as a kid, I thought the word ‘gezundeit’ was more fun to say than the banal ‘bless you.’ I also think it’s better to save your offense for commonly heard comments which are far more offensive, such as, “someday you’ll see the light,” or “I’ll pray for you” in response to someone saying they are atheist.

good idea - piss off the guy that decides how your day will go - and probably what you get paid. Ignore the man or respond as Dave Allen (irish comedian) - may your god go with you - and one day it will

That phrase is exceeding condescending

In order to retain our sanity in the face of of this type of mindless drivel we are sometimes driven to verbal retaliation. I use a simular tactic against those who cannot formulate a sentence without persistently saying ''You know''. Every time they say it I respond with ''I know''. In an amazingly short time you can see the brain engage and an effort to think about what they are saying is evident. So well done you.

A coworker of mine was working a Lyft gig at a large college town. She picked up a group of dark skinned guys talking a foreign language. One of them said Allah Akbar and suddenly she was in a panic that she had a car full of terrorists and was considering calling the cops. I, and several others explained to her it was simply a Muslim greeting much the same as she would say “God bless you” (she is very Christian). Amazing how much things change when someone from a different religious ethnic group does exactly what you do everyday to non believers. It suddenly becomes a thing to fear and makes you feel threatened.

If your intentions are to pick on him (her), i think that you are doing a great job, but if your intentions are to enjoy your day and have a wonderful day unmolested by someone else, then all you have to do is to control your emotions and not get offended by someone with low compression in the matter, that is what should ofend you, someone who know less can get in to your head, try to be better for you, not for others, don't get offended by a person who knows less than you, because your offenses show how strong your maint is. Just be happy by looking and hearing low IQs in your surroundings trying to make sense of the reality. If you are smarter, its your responsibility to understand whats going on, if you don't understand, then investigate or have someone else to take control.

The term bless , means happy . I can't be mad at anyone , sincerely telling me to have a happy day . Just because religious folks use the term , does not make it theirs only .