to think that the phrase "God Botherer" isn't meant kindly.

[FoxtrotFoxtrotSierra]

DH and I were at a church wedding at the weekend which included a full Eucharist. I'm a practising Christian and took communion at the service. DH isn't hugely religious, but has a lot of respect for the church and went up for a blessing at that point.

After the service we were chatting to some people when an old university friend of DH came over and said "I didn't have you down as God Botherers" to us! I did say at the time (be proud MN) "Did you mean to be so rude?" to which he said he didn't and conversation continued.

We've just received an apology via email saying "I certainly didn't mean to be rude, but if I was I apologise to you both" - which is a bit contingent on the apology bit, but I'll let that drop, but has got me thinking about the phrase.

AIBU to think that there's no other way to use the phrase God Botherer unless to be rude? Particularly to someone who has just taken communion/been for a blessing as they're obviously Christian/involved in some way in the church.

Kayano
I constantly get gereldinetheluckygoat appearing randomly in my posts

Confuses the crapout of people when it happens in my emails

Yes, but I'm sure she'd never say that a particularly boring atheist was just trying to be cool to their face, so that's ok then.

Most atheists are fine. But some just shove it down your throat all the time and that's very dull. Some people should just keep their extreme rationality to themselves.

I'm one of those terrible atheists who goes to church for the sake of a good school place shifty eyes

to me it's sneery. Not used to describe someone who is just religious or has faith but someone who would bang on and annoy you. Used mostly for JW's etc out to preach and convert.

It was rude, you told him so (well done, by the way, I'm still awaiting the presence of mind to use that phrase in the heat of the moment) he apologised. End of story.

I'd never shove anything down anyone's throat. I have an issue with organised religion, but that's my issue and I'm sure no-one else is interested. I don't like people belittling my views and telling me my beliefs aren't valid, so I wouldn't do it to anyone else.

TheJoyful, Jesus told his followers to spread the word, converting people is a basic Christian thing.

No idea man it's a catholic church
No grammar schools where I am and my other alternative has just 70% pupils getting the average in Maths/ English/ science

I just go with the flow shrug

joyful I think the correct term is a
'de-vangelist'.

I would have taken it as a clumsy ice-breaker comment especially if your DH had been less than religious at Uni. I really don't think there was intentional rudeness there. Its a bit unfortunate that you made quite such an issue of it.

I used to joke about my Dad being a God Botherer because he went to church every day but no offence was ever meant or taken.

I am a practising Christian and I find it offensive too. I always assumed it meant someone bothering people with God. Either way it is not meant as a compliment.

The thing I actually find most sad is that I am really open about my religious beliefs with people. I don't see it as something I need to be quiet about and it is a big part of my life. However, I do think that even this openness is interpreted as being something negative.

Can't say I'd given it much thought until now. Like another poster, the image it creates in my mind is of a harassed god trying to deal with an overflowing prayer inbox! I wouldn't use it to someone's face but that's because I think they might be sensitive about it, rather than feeling it is an offensive term iyswim. Much as I prickle at "for your age" even though I know it's meant benignly.

I LOVE "de-vangelist"

Ooh!!! Handbags at dawn ....

'God Botherer' is an offensive term

I'm now adopting de-vangelist!

Just as long as you don't say I'm a great devangelist for my age

ScarletLady02 you are absolutely right.
While it is considered belittling to their beliefs to describe a religious person as a 'God botherer', it is just as belittling to describe someone who does not believe in god as only doing so because it is "cool". I am not aware that it is a 'cool' thing to say at all. You either believe or not. That is it.

I hate it! I am a total non believer, but I think its a nasty turn of phrase. It is acceptable, to some, because its used for religious people,( who are thoroughly uncool, and acceptable for derision apparentl!)
Its not acceptable to make comments like that, about Black people, Muslims, Gay people, Women, or any of a million different categories of people, but christians are fair game.
Its incredibly rude!

I wouldn't say it to someone I knew to be a churchgoer, but still it's not all that offensive or unpleasant, and probably wasn't meant unkindly.

I always thought it meant someone who 'bothers God' with prayers etc, not someone who tries to convert others .

I call my Mother a God botherer all the time, we all do It doesn't upset or offend her

In fact it makes it easrier for everyone to know where she is

Shopping
God Bothering
or With the Cronies

TheJoyful (love that image, btw ) Scientologists are not Christian but do evangelise. I was going to add JW and the Mormons, but apparently that's a bit of a touchy subject.

Like most things it could be said as a simple way of avoiding accusing you of a specific variety of religion...although just saying 'religious' would have worked, but on the other hand can be meant as derogatory.

It's a it daft as a phrase really - I mean if you are atheist then there should be no god to bother....

As an atheist I do think it's a little bit rude. I'd only ever use it about door to door religion hawkers, not my Christian friends.

But he seems to have accepted your reprimand, so let it go and move on.