Is it ok for a Christian to say 'God Bless' to a Muslim?

[thankyouforthedayz]

I'm a Christian and I feel I have more in common spiritually with other people of faith (particularly other People of the Book ie Abrahamic faiths) than people who have no or nominal faith. I will often say "God bless" (ie God Bless you") or "Gods hand is on X " to Christian friends/family, but would Muslim people be offended if I said this to them? I believe there is one God but different paths. I wonder if I should revert, as I whilst I love Jesus Christ as a prophet, a spiritual man committed to social justice in a time when people of faith were oppressed by pagans (Romans) I find it hard to believe the literal truth of the Virgin Birth and Resurrection (though I believe in them as powerful metaphors).
I work in the NHS with lots of Muslim colleagues. I have asked, and she was so kind and accepting and said she felt happy for me to say it, but I think she was speaking as a kind friend rather than theologically.

Pollyanna87 · Today 13:10

You can say ‘God Bless’ anywhere you like. This isn’t North Korea.

But not to anyone you like. I don’t believe in god. Please don’t say it to me because it’s meaningless.

It isn’t France either, where the Church and the workplace are completely separate, no religious motif allowed, it would be impossible. France cannot be the only secular country?

No, it's not appropriate to say to a colleague. Of any creed or industry.

I'm Muslim and I wouldn't find jt remotely inappropriate and I'm sure most Muslims wouldn't.

OP posts a question in Muslim mumsnet but gets a largely atheist pile on. Honestly, you wonder why we feel othered and silenced? People speaking for us, about us, but not to us? 'I have a Muslim friend so I know what Muslims think', 'I'm not Muslim but I think ...' 🙄🙄None of this is helpful to the OP in the circumstances she's described.

@thankyouforthedayz for me, someone saying 'god bless' is a perfectly normal thing to say. I hear it more from older people. If you said something more overtly Christian I might feel a tad awkward because I wouldn't be able to respond in kind. E.g. if you said 'Christ be with you' I couldn't say 'and with you' because it's not what I believe. But I wouldn't be offended... though that example would be a bit odd!

I didn't notice that this thread was under Muslim Mumsnetters. I wouldn't have engaged if I had.

The header says others are welcome to post but please be respectful.
Work isn't a social club. The rules are different. At least, that's the way I see it. What is acceptable socially might not be OK at work.

The OP has been respectful, but many others haven't.

I occasionally have Muslim colleagues say “ins’hallah” [sp?] to me. I’m an atheist but I don’t take offence from that or God bless either- unless it’s said in a way that assumes I’m some sort of believer or that they know better than me.

I dislike the sin of spiritual pride whatever the religion is.

I'm not suggesting the OP was disrespectful. I'm just saying others can have an opinion. I clearly have mine and that is personal, religious beliefs stay at home.

My muslim colleague would say that he would 'pray for me'. I took it to be a kind thing to say but I think in a work context it is important to understand that there are people of different faiths and no faiths and it is important to respect that.

@spoonfulofsugar1 yes faith is a complex journey.

Jesus said
“I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except by Me”.
John 14:6

@twentysevendresses thank you for your response and tolerance!

@Jasmin71 yes. I know that. But that's not relevant to the point I was making. 😄

@Sleepingsa I know there is no right answer. I was asking for views.

I would be extremely irritated if a colleague said they’d pray for me. Spiritual pride again - as if their prayers will help me in ways that I can’t help myself, or as if I need saving.

@VacuumPacked I agree they are quite different. "Bless you" if someone sneezes is cultural/custom.

A specialist who was Muslim said this to me (I’m not Muslim but Catholic) and I thought it was a really special moment. I thought it was lovely.

@Pollyanna87 I know I won't be arrested for saying it, but I was most interested in the theological basis and whether it could offend.

@mumstheword223 thank you for your response

@ForPeaceSake thank you, you've hit the nail on the head. I asked on Muslim Mumsnetters to get Muslim views, I really didn't want any others.

@NewGreenDuck I didn't say others are welcome to post! I didn't exclude others, as I wrongly assumed posters would be predominantly Muslim. I wanted to engage with Muslims. But there have been interesting and thoughtful comments across the board.

I wouldn't find it offensive either, most people who see me would know I am Muslim by my attire.

@thankyouforthedayz I was talking about the info that mumsnet put at the top, not any comments you made.