Can certain religious words be offensive? What happens when they are said in a professional manner by a gate guard on a military base? How does the freedom of religion play into all of this?
After widespread outcry, the Air Force reversed a decision to ban Robins Air Force Base security personnel from saying “Have a blessed day” to people entering the gates. The gate guards were told not to give the greeting after an unidentified airman complained to the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, according to the group’s website. The foundation had complained to the base and the base issued the ban.
Overall the military community is usually in favor of religious liberty. However, in this case, those who are offended by a religious greeting are being told that they need to just let things go.
When it comes to situations like this, I always try to put myself in the shoes of the other person. As a Christian, would I be OK with someone using a saying from another religion? Would I be bothered if every time I entered a gate I heard a Buddhist or Muslim greeting? Is it fair for anyone to be bothered by it?
I am not one to get offended by such things but I do think there needs to be a rule of some kind. Either the gate guards can say what they want, regardless of their religion or there needs to be a standard.
You can’t say that the Christian phrases are OK to say and not allow Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish or Pagan gate guards to have the same right.
I don’t know that I have ever heard a phrase like this in all my years of going through the gates at the military posts we have lived at, although I might just not remember hearing them say anything like that. Usually they tell me, “Have a good day” which is not religious but still nice to hear. That phrase says basically the same thing as, “have a blessed day” without all of the controversy.
There is the argument that if you tell a gate guard not to say something religious you are not allowing him to have his or her own faith. That is not true. They might not be able to say that phrase but no one is telling them they can not practice their own faith when they are off-duty.
I think it is important to remember that not everyone in the military practices the same faith. Because of that not everyone is going to be OK with certain religious phrases being said to them in a professional manner. I don’t think changing the regulations on it is out of line. Now that Robins Air Force base reversed the decision to ban the phrase, I am not sure there will be a chance to change it again. If enough people are bothered by it, it would be a way to create a more balanced religious environment for those in the military.
I would not be offended by a greeting “Have a blessed day”. If I were greeted by a Muslim or other religion guard doing gate duty at any of the military bases I visit, if I didn’t understand, I would ask what that meant. and I would reply in kind. The airman offended could have simply said, “Thank you, but I’m not a religious person”.
If that is offensive to some, what do they want to do with the churches signs. I look forward to entering post and being greeted. If you don’t like hearing a greeting, just ignore and continue on.
I am tired of caving to all the minority groups out there that are offended by Christian beliefs. We live in America and our country is founded on God and Christian beliefs. If people are offended by it, leave the country and go live where things will not offend you.
I feel that the military should stay away from anything religious regardless of religion. Religion and politics are two things that the military should avoid getting sucked into. No matter having the best intentions you’re going to offend someone. When I go on Post the gate guard greets you with “Welcome to Fort X” as they are verifying your ID card. When they hand your ID card back they say “have a good day”. I feel this is a appropriate neutral greeting.
How is it the guardian of our religious freedom as well as freedom of speech tries to do this. who ever thought of this should have their freedom restricted, no more promotions!
Have a blessed day can come from any religion. Allah could bless me. A Catholic could bless me. I am happy to be blessed and we should accept this without “investigating” any type of motive or reasoning other than the guard is just being very pleasant.
These people who are trying to stop this WILL go to HELL in hand basket! I won’t be seeing you there either.
Should we say GO TO HELL have a terrible day instead?
This has to stop. 2016 Election will be VERY important to those of us WHO have values.
The rest GOOD LUCK TO YOU.
Time to stop worrying about hurting everyones feelings – move on – Jewish people never complained about our sayings or holidays – they enjoyed learning about them as we enjoy learning about others.
I am glad that Gate Guards can say to patrons, “Have a Blessed Day”. All religions recognize the phrase of Blessings. For those whom are Atheist, they may inform the Guards, that they are not religious.
Plenty of non Christians use the word blessed/blessings. People refer to a “mother God” or various nature deities in Wiccan/pagan or other religions. If a stranger offers me a blessing, I’m more impressed by the fact that they care about a fellow stranger than that they are (GASP) promoting an intolerant religion. We need to get over ourselves.
People are just trying to be kind. What would it matter if someone of the Muslim faith said their kind words as you passed by their gate.
I am not a religous person, I dont believe in god at all but I think we as americans should go with the “freedom of speech” and the gate guards should be able to say either “have a nice day” or “have a blessed day” or something like that, but should not be mandatory to say either.. It is nice to hear something though and not just a look or wave of the hand. Every day I pass through our gate, I wish the guard a good day.. If one is offended by a phrase, that person should just block it out as I can almost guarranty that person has said something to offend others but does not think twice about it.. Its like when one sneezes, someone might say “bless you” or “gesundheit”, I don’t think it is offensive at all… Just say thank you and be on your way… For goodness sakes to many people are trying to take away good in the world and we need a friendly “have a nice day” or a smile etc., Well enough said.. Just remember what people think of you, is none of your business and visa versa… Have a nice day people!! : )
Not offended. I’d prefer it.
I can understand religious liberty as well as the first amendment in expressing one’s own views and beliefs. However, when your own starts to cause great discomfort to someone, you need to just relax it a little. For example, if I was coming thru the gate (any military gate) and the “armed” gate guard leaned over, looked at me, and said “allah is great”, I believe I would keep my eye on his/her trigger finger and weapon ready to accelerate quickly if needed.
If all of you with this penchant for aboriginal brain patterns had the decency to keep your delusions and fantasies to yourselves there would be a lot less killing and sadism on this poor planet, and, probably, no RepubliKKKlans, the curse of sane, sentient, thinking-capable people everywhere.. How about the guards just keep their mouths closed, their sentiments to themselves and let everyone be what they want to be in privacy and in silence? Oh I can just imagine the reactions from most of you here. Here comes the Fox-“news”-watching, gawd-bless-murica, Stocholm-syndromed, brain-damaged brigade and their grammar- and spelling-challenged shouting.
I think the people in the military have less rights than anyone in the United States. I thought what they were fighting for was a FREE country. People have a right to burn our flag, but they are not allowed to say a few nice words. I think they should be allowed to say “Have a blessed day” if they want to. They defend our country, and some give the ultimate sacrifice in doing so. It is about time they are able to exercise the same right as the rest of us in the United States. I would like to tell that gate guard, as well as the rest of our military, “Have a blessed day and may you return to your loved ones safely. Thank you for everything you do for our country. You have not been forgotten.”
I’m just thinking that if someone, regardless of cultural background, is being cordial and treating me with respect, I certainly should be gracious enough to accept it. That is particularly true if they are encouraging me to have a great day. That is the individual, personal side. The other side is that of the political, bureaucratic side that attempts to dictate that a positive encouraging comment to anyone of a different culture or belief system is a violation of freedom of religion or speech is way off base. With all the “secular” trash talk that does already go on that is offensive, degrading, defaming, etc., “have a blessed day” should be a welcome reprieve. In fact, with the aforementioned trash talk, “have a blessed day” or its equivalent should even be considered a wonderful response, aside from general conversation.
Happiness is! Being greeted by an Army Air Force Guard Saying “Have a Blessed Day” I believe in freedom of speech. I believe I live in a Christian nation, under God– blessed by His goodness Today! Tomorrow and Forever! I don’t want to G-g-go to the d-d-devil, for advice.
I think that religious beliefs are something personal I am OK with blessed day greeting however am not crazy about it because there are some new born Christians that go to far and yes there is people that feel offended I would skip the blessed day and say have a nice have a good day afternoon etc by saying GB or whatever is not going to make me more religious and in the other hand but not saying any religious greeting is not going to take away my beliefs and like I mentioned in my opinion religion and politics is personal not everybody is in the same track
when are we going to stopbowing down to 10 % of the people and listen to the rest. the bas commander
is wrong and probably a musliam
I see nothing wrong w/ greeting personnel passing through the Base Gate. I had a Supervisior call me to his office to say he had received complaints that I was smiling at people and saying,” Have nice day” as I greeted their passing through the gate. I personally didn’t see what was wrong w/ a smile. My wife said to me that some people w/ think your smile was false and out of place for a professional. Security Guard.
It is very refreshing to hear a stranger say “Have a blessed day” We too often, are faced with negative comments that offend us, with no recourses…..We have to remember what the term “Blessed ” implies, Unlimited goodness…..Have a blessed day…..
This country was founded buy Christians seeking freedom to practice their religion. If a soldier cannot express their religion in a benign way to make someone else feel better…. they have nothing to defend. If a Sikh or Muslim can receive exemptions from uniform regulations for religion, I think a Christian can for positive expressions.
It shouldn’t matter sooner or later they are going to stop us from saying, we are the home of the free, and home of the brave. Now they already took prayer from schools, now you want to stop someone from using freedom of speech. We as humans being are our own worst enemy. Now have a blessed day on that
I would consider it a joy to hear this as I often use the same greeting and parting. I am an American who served in the US Military for many years before retiring. I am from the South in the United States and I hforemost a Christian. I believe that we get too caught up with things instead of being polite and loving toward each other.
I sincerely hope that the complainer makes as much effort to do their job as to complain.
From me to all “Please have a Blessed Day.
Best regards.
While I have nothing against the greeting it seems like a pretty awkward one to use. Blessed is not a term that most people use on a regular basis. My problem would lie with the security people getting in trouble if they didn’t use the term .As far as the so called atheist complaining he or she just needs to get over it and quit taking offense over something that really isn’t condoning anything they might think is offensive. Just go on to work and do your job. Your entitled to your beliefs but so is every one else and you don’t need to push them on other people either they are just doing there job’s as well.
It’s a shame how “In God We Trust” only applies when something tragic happens. I wonder what is said by the guards at foreign bases? What do Muslim guards state to those entering or leaving bases and would a Christian be offended by it?
We are truly a more kinder, gentler, loving America these days!
I’m glad that they can again say “Have a blessed day.” If an Airforce personnel member does not want to say those exact words then that particular person could say “Have a nice day.” Politeness should be extended. There is freedom of speech and if a person hearing the expression “Have a blessed day” is offended, then let them be offended. If you live long enough and have enough interaction with people other than yourself, you will at some point in your lifetime be offended about something. Life is life and you’re not given any guarantees in life about not being offended. If you want a life where no one ever says anything you don’t like than go move to a place where no other person lives and be totally isolated.
I also would not be offended. I guess my confusion is that most religions have blessings. It would only be the atheist that would be offended because of not believing in any God or higher being. At any rate, someone is just wishing you a good day. So get over it and have one.
I don
I don’t see anything wrong with that,it doesn’t offend me
saying “have a blessed day”, is not offensive to I or my husband. we have chapel on base so the military is not against our religious freedoms.. What I see wrong is everyone complaining about so many things, lets make this a better world & just say “Thank-you” & go on. Lord knows if you are religions or not & you do know yourself, so don’t get in a dander & make things difficult for someone who is trying to have a pleasant day & it is just customary for part of their personality..