"I'm one of God's all time favourites"

[Purplemmonkey]

If somebody said this phrase to you about themselves, what would you take that to mean?

"I'm one of God's all time favourites"

I'm just curious because I heard this recently and wasn't sure what the person meant, but it sparks something really negative inside me for some reason.

For more context I'm not religious, and this person is and does practice.

If they were serious, I would employ any means necessary to stay the fuck away from them.

The person has delusions of grandeur is my only thought.

I would imagine it's a way of saying they've been very fortunate in life, and realise it. Sort of the opposite of 'God is picking on me!'.

Are you Meghan, or are you Harry?

I’d just think they had a nice rhetoric. Aren’t we all gods favourites in theory.

Lol... I'd remind them about the virtue of humility.

I would consider the person a tiresome bore and not be interested in them.

If I were being kind, I would assume they meant they were really lucky. In the way that posh rich people say 'We're off to our place in the Caribbean, we're so lucky to have it'.

But it strikes a bit oddly to a secular British ear. Sounds quite American and although I love America, the baseline religious news is my least favourite aspect of it.

I'm not religious but I would think they think they are living a life God would approve?
I work with a religious man who says "l am blessed" very genuinely when l ask how he is, it makes a nice change to the dry sarcastic "Living the dream".

I would take it as a joke. A bit like when parents of only children jokingly call them their favourite child. As they are religious I would imagine they don't really believe God has favourites, but maybe they feel particularly blessed?

It sounds like prosperity theology. It's not for me as it's shallow and a bit tiresome but rocks a lot of people's boat. I'd let them at it if they are a good friend. I'd cut them loose if they weren't.

I'd assume they were being tongue-in-cheek and acknowledging their good fortune in life. If it sparked something negative in you, is that because you don't get on with the person?

I mean...I admire their confidence! And considering how many children Our Father has, it's awesome to feel certain you are one of his 'all time favourites'. Of all time? Across the centuries?

My Dad has 4 kids, and I'm pretty sure I don't make his top three.

I'd think the person had just fallen for some inspirational religious quote along the lines of god loving everyone and everyone is his favourite, whilst also perhaps feeling happy, lucky, blessed etc.

Unless there were other indicators marking this person out as having delusions of grandeur.

I'd think it was similar to 'someone up there's looking out for me' that people say when they've been very fortunate or dodged disaster. Maybe the person feels they've been lucky multiple times. Its not a very thoughtful or tactful though.

The only possibility is that you are speaking with Legend from Gladiators.

Thanks all, it's interesting to hear the different perspectives. My reaction was that this person was arrogant and possibly even dangerous in a way, like she had delusions of grandeur. Dangerous is probably too strong a word, but you know what I mean? Someone to be wary of. It wasn't said directly to me, but I heard it first hand.

The interesting thing to me is that prior to this I only have positive experiences - I had the impression she was a kind, lovely, helpful, friendly person. I didn't realise she was religious until I heard her say this, not that it matters, but just to give context around how she presented to me. Just a nice person. I think this is why the comment threw me, because it gave me such a conflicting reaction.

It really doesn't matter what she meant to be honest, as she's an aquaintence rather than a friend, somebody I see for maybe a 10 minute chat in a professional setting every couple of months. So I'm genuinely curious to read your responses!

I would just assume they were joking and take it that way. I'm not sure why you would think to take it seriously, I don't think anyone is obnoxious to say that in all seriousness.

Reminds me of the song Everybody Loves Me Baby by Don McClean!

I mean, if someone said it tongue in cheek for comedic purpose, I could laugh at the narcissistic hyperbole. But if a stranger whispered it to me on a plane I'd be having a having a word with the cabin crew.

It's like people who say that they're doing exactly what God wants them to do.

It always seems to align perfectly with their own desires. Odd that...

It really pisses me off. No, God doesn’t love you best. You’re not special. You haven’t done everything ‘right’. You’re just lucky.

A lot of xtians say this in what they think is a jokey manner, basically playing on the fact that they think their god loves them all equally and unconditionally, yet with such abundance and generosity that they also cannot help but feel like a special one or a favourite. They're essentially all his favourites and have all been forgiven for their so called 'sin'.

Ah I see... That kind of makes sense. If it's some kind of inside joke it definitely seems less sinister!

That's hilarious. I'd say me too!