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.

it's rude but the people who say it take it for granted that no-one really believes in God.

and ask yourself, have you ever heard God complain? is he bovvered? there's about five billion people, allegedly, bother him from time to time, but does he say 'oh give it a rest'? no. he copes.

so their opinion, the unbelievers, the rampant atheists, and the carelessly offensive, matters not one bit at all.

if you really want to wind them up, say 'it doesn't matter if you believe in God or not - He believes in you.'

they go purple.

Turn the other cheek. It's not worth worrying about. People say things.. So what. Each to their own.

The thing is lovebunny, most of the people I know who day it are themselves God botherers. As am I.

However, I am not the kind of God botherer who would say "He believes in you" either...

if you have a point, oh fallen one, it isn't clear. never mind.

I'm with you, fallen. It's only the church goers who use 'god-botherer' here.

Nice put down, though, love bunny. Very christian.

Although the 'He believes in you' did make me larf. I can see that if people were being derogatory, that would make them jolly cross. If they weren't (like the chap in the op) it would just make you look slightly deranged.

I rather like the term but only to refer to a particular evangelical type of Christian. Not your CofEer, more your follower of Billy Graham. But I would only use it privately. Nice that he apologised.

'it doesn't matter if you believe in God or not - He believes in you.'

Which god is that then Lovebunny? 'Cos that looks to me like the other 4,800 or so other gods don't believe in me. And that makes me sad.

I think a God botherer is someone who bothers God (that is they are a believer) and is not necessarily someone who bothers other people with their religious belief. (Bit like salad dodger, not hugely offensive in the scheme of things)

Why did the OP answer on behalf of her husband?

Not read the replies but.......... you should be proud to be 'accused' of being 'God botherers'. It is something that you delight in being-evangelists, secure in your religion. That's all really.

Stlil laughing at "did you mean to be rude is a lame mc putdown
yes
yes I did would be the obvious retort"

YANBU.

It's rude because it's saying you are bothersome. Bothering God, or other people, or both.

How strange that he'd assumed you weren't religious. Are Christians meant to have a tattoo on their forehead or a halo or something?

At least he apologised though.

now there you are, old nick, you're mistaking me for someone who gives a tinker's cuss what you think about God. that's between you and Him.

God botherer sound like you're somebody who's always ringing god up when he's trying to play with his train set in his shed, and he has to go back to the house to get the phone off Mrs god and talk to you.

It's a lot more polite than what I would be thinking.

god botherer always makes me snigger
I imagine a constant oi,oi,oi,oi god
and god snapping gonnae no do that

So what would you be thinking about a couple who had quietly received communion or a blessing while at a church service then TiggyD?

Why is it ok to insult Christians? But not Muslims, disabled people? Gay people, women?
There is NO WAY you would get away with "gentle banter" about any of the above!

Saggy
^Why is it ok to insult Christians? But not Muslims, disabled people? Gay people, women?
There is NO WAY you would get away with "gentle banter" about any of the above!^

I assume you are joking?

If you heard some of the tongue in cheek comments I make to my Muslim DH I think you would class them as "gentle banter", he seems to have survived the experience without spontaneously combusting so far. Or do Muslims not have a sense of humour?

Religion is about what people believe, not what they are.
Some people believe in a god. Some believe in lots of gods. Some believe we were animals like squid or whatever in a previous life. Some believe the queen is an alien.

humour,ribaldry and self deprication is normal social intercourse
we all gently tease and push boundaries
life not all bucuit arsed and must tease the Muslim/christian/buddish case they get wrong end stick

Who believes the Queen is an alien?

I do

Lovebunny

Puke Puke Puke

I like the phrase but I've only ever heard it from a friend in an affectionate way. I think it's the tone that matters.

@ SwedishEdith and scottishmummy.

I see it as gentle banter too- someone upthread put it in the same category as anorak, twitcher... I totally agree.