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[Kitsunebaby]

I can't speak to the origins of that phrase, but in this day and age it is a secular idiom that carries no religious baggage. So no, I'm not offended by it.

So a phrase having any religious baggage at all makes it offensive to you? Good lord, do you get offended if someone tells you "bless you" as well?

Yes, the email is deliberately trying to be condescending, but only towards those who get offended over nothing. It's an annoying email, much like office chain letters, or unsolicited pictures of your coworker's cats, but offensive? Really?

 

[PartlyCloudlike]

How the hell do some of you even function on a daily basis if you are so easily offended? This is so insignificant. Really, you are bitching about the usage of quotation marks.

The OP himself has stated that he doesn't care about this email and he made this thread simply for teh lulz....

The reality for me is that I am rarely offended because people I work with know better than to send an unsolicited, passive aggressive admonishing people for not praying enough...to a WORK email. I guess it's cool if you see this message posted on your Facebook wall, or you work at a ministry. Otherwise, shut the fuck up and get your work done.

 

[Dead Man]

So I guess some of you get offended when someone wishes you "good luck"

If they put it in quotes in the middle of an otherwise straightforward sentence, I would probably tell them they were cunts, yeah.

But hey, "good luck" with your life.

 

[cutmeamango]

So a phrase having any religious baggage at all makes it offensive to you? Good lord, do you get offended if someone tells you "bless you" as well?

Yes, the email is deliberately trying to be condescending, but only towards those who get offended over nothing. It's an annoying email, much like office chain letters, or unsolicited pictures of your coworker's cats, but offensive? Really?

You don't understand the plight of avid email readers.

 

[Shamrock7r]

Otherwise, shut the fuck up and get your work done.

I bet your hero is that ant from "Antz" whose orders were to just dig.

 

[PartlyCloudlike]

So a phrase having any religious baggage at all makes it offensive to you? Good lord, do you get offended if someone tells you "bless you" as well?

Yes, the email is deliberately trying to be condescending, but only towards those who get offended over nothing. It's an annoying email, much like office chain letters, or unsolicited pictures of your coworker's cats, but offensive? Really?

Did I say it would offend me?

If someone said "bless you" --> Not offended. I sometimes say "Bless ya" to people, because I like how it sounds.

If someone sent me that email from the OP --> I'd be annoyed. Probably more annoyed than offended (despite what I said in an earlier post). Eventually, it would fade and I'd forget about it. But at that moment, yes I'd question his professionalism.

 

[Falcs]

Well I'm sure Christians would kick up a fuss if that Jesus fap pic was sent out as a work email, talk about inappropriate!

Also as an experiment I hope someone sends out a work email that says "Tomorrow is National Atheism Day, if the world was a bit more atheist we might've not had those Boston bombings! Don't mean to "offend" anyone." I'm sure a few Christians might kick up a storm over that one, maybe even make a gaf post.

1. That is completely different. It's basically placing the blame of the bombings and shootings on ALL religious people. Something I'm sure not only Christian's would find offensive.
2. What you've edited your post to be now instead of what I have up above just makes no sense, so I don't think anybody would be offended by it actually.

 

[gohepcat]

Just what kind of organization does the OP work for where folks are allowed to send company wide emails with religious overtones?

My thoughts exactly. Unprofessional and weird to me.

Company wide emails should not include religion or politics.

 

[PartlyCloudlike]

I bet your hero is that ant from "Antz" whose orders were to just dig.

I bet I make more money than you. See I can be a passive aggressive dick, too!

The difference is, I'm not sending this in a work email to my colleagues.

 

[Tain]

When exactly does one get "offended"?

I'm offended by shitty posts all the time, but going by all the "how are you so easily offended" dudes in here you would think I'd be a babbling mess rather than someone who just keeps scrolling.

I'm offended by how many scrubs in this thread are making a big deal of the word.

 

[kingkitty]

1. That is completely different. It's basically placing the blame of the bombings and shootings on ALL religious people. Something I'm sure not only Christian's would find offensive.
2. What you've edited your post to be now instead of what I have up above just makes no sense, so I don't think anybody would be offended by it actually.

Oh drat with your quoting. Anywho I made it more neutral to be more in tone with the email that op posted, so you should like, disregard.

And yes, it makes perfect sense, I'm sure someone would be offended by it, simply by bringing up "atheist holiday." They might rightfully think it's not appropriate to bring up in the workplace, as well as adding the passive aggressive quotation.

 

[GRIP]

The reality for me is that I am rarely offended because people I work with know better than to send an unsolicited, passive aggressive admonishing people for not praying enough...to a WORK email. I guess it's cool if you see this message posted on your Facebook wall, or you work at a ministry. Otherwise, shut the fuck up and get your work done.

Nothing about the Email is forcing anyone to do anything. Why can't this just be ignored by those who aren't religious? You really feel belittled by the quotation marks surrounding the word offended? Ask the sender what his/her intentions were. No need to jump to conclusions and label people over an email that is really about acknowledging those who suffered in a tragic event.

 

[Madouu]

Reply with "As-salam alaykum"?

?

You're basically telling him to reply with "Hello". And even if you really want to be that guy and use the expression in its literal sense, it has nothing to do with prayers.

To OP, the tone of the email is definitely unprofessional.

 

[Liamario]

I don't really care if people want to be religious, but this is pretty unprofessional and the "offended" in quotes seems unnecessarily antagonistic

I'd reply with something like this-

i don't mean to "offend" anyone, but god isn't real in all likelihood. If he was real, he's some sick bastard for letting events like the Boston bombing happen. So, don't waste time praying to this asshole and instead be happy that you aren't one of the victims

 

[Degen]

Well I'm sure Christians would kick up a fuss if that Jesus fap pic was sent out as a work email, talk about inappropriate!

Also as an experiment I hope someone sends out a work email that says "Tomorrow is National Atheism Day, lets all do what atheists do and not pray, something something Boston bombings/school shootings. Don't mean to "offend" anyone." I'm sure a few Christians might kick up a storm over that one, maybe even make a gaf post.

The universe picture is more direct and has zero "good intentions" behind it, and that message you posted would look like a parody even without this thread as context

 

[BeEatNU]

Remind the sender that the bombers prayed plenty enough.

damn

Count Dookkake strikes again.

 

[gohepcat]

Yes, the email is deliberately trying to be condescending

Then why are you sending antagonizing emails company wide? "Condescending" is not a word that should come up when disscribing inter-office email.

 

[Falcs]

I made it more neutral to be more in tone with the email that op posted, and it makes perfect sense, I'm sure someone would be offended by it, simply by bringing up "atheist holiday." They might rightfully think it's not appropriate to bring up in the workplace.

If somebody was offended by it just because it mentions an Atheist holiday, then it would be like an Atheist being offended by Christmas.

 

[Shamrock7r]

I bet I make more money than you. See I can be a passive aggressive dick, too!

The difference is, I'm not sending this in a work email to my colleagues.

That's not passive aggressive at all, lol. That's very direct, worse in fact than the e-mail in the op, and I still wouldn't be incredibly offended because its such a foolish and childish insult that I can't take seriously. That's the point people are making here. This should be a minor annoyance at worst. I'll agree that the e-mail is passive aggressive with the quotations added, but geez, I mean... who cares, ignore it.

 

[Shamrock7r]

When exactly does one get "offended"?

I'm offended by shitty posts all the time, but going by all the "how are you so easily offended" dudes in here you would think I'd be a babbling mess rather than someone who just keeps scrolling.

I'm offended by how many scrubs in this thread are making a big deal of the word.

I am offended by your offense to the usage of the word "offended".


edit: I think part of the problem here is there are varying differences by posters of the exact definition of "offended", specifically the strength of the word.

 

[kingkitty]

If somebody was offended by it just because it mentions an Atheist holiday, then it would be like an Atheist being offended by Christmas.

No, somebody might be offended by it if it's sent through a work email and it's in regard to recent tragedies, and add in a passive aggressive quote for good measure.

Also National Atheism Day (if that exists) and National Day of Prayer are not comparable to Christmas.

The universe picture is more direct and has zero "good intentions" behind it, and that message you posted would look like a parody even without this thread as context

It was said that Christians didn't make a fuss over that "offensive" jesus fap picture, and yet the op loses his cool over a passive aggressive work email.

And I said, I'm sure Christians would lose their cool and make a fuss over the picture if it was sent through a work email.

I don't care if the picture had zero good intentions, that wasn't really my point, I'm just debunking the idea that this group had thicker skin over that group. And the message I made is suppose to be the extreme polar opposite of op's email, so uh totes.

 

[les papillons sexuels]

the fact that the email had to prefaced with the "offend" line means the sender was aware that the email may offend and sent it anyway. So the sender is either a bitch/jerk who wants to offend, or a bitch/jerk for thinking their beliefs are more important than anyone elses.

 

[FieryBalrog]

Getting offended by this neatly proves the sender's point.

Being full of pious hypersensitivity certainly isn't a trait atheists managed to avoid.

 

[sangreal]

I'd be annoyed too despite not caring whatsoever about the actual topic of the email. I mean, it was only written that way to annoy people in the first place so I don't get the "I can't believe that bothers you!" brigade. Being annoyed or offended isn't an extreme response. It doesn't mean you think you're entitled to a $1M payday, someone's job, or even that it ruined your day. Even the OP, who actually received the email simply made a thread and moved on.

 

[Dude Abides]

??

Didn't someone link to stats that show that religious groups donate more than anyone else in the US?

What does that have to do with the fact that emails like this and similar exhortations to prayer are cheap and easy sentimentality? Also, those stats typically include donations to churches. I don't consider a contribution to the Creflo Dollar Porsche Fund a real charitable donation.

Please consider you might be totally off. This isn't true.

Ok, I considered it, but so no reason to change my view on the subject.

 

[Degen]

the fact that the email had to prefaced with the "offend" line means the sender was aware that the email may offend and sent it anyway. So the sender is either a bitch/jerk who wants to offend, or a bitch/jerk for thinking their beliefs are more important than anyone elses.

...or...

the sender was thinking, "could something as trivial as this letter really piss anybody off that much? seriously?"

because that's what I was thinking when I read the letter, and it's pretty pathetic that the answer was "yes"

 

[sangreal]

...or...

the sender was thinking, "could something as trivial as this letter really piss anybody off that much? seriously?"

because that's what I was thinking when I read the letter, and it's pretty pathetic that the answer was "yes"

So why do you suppose the writer put "offend" in quotes if not specifically to piss off people that may be offended?

 

[Daigoro]

I'm "offended" by the amount of posters who can't actually comprehend what the op meant vs the ones who couldn't be bothered to read past the first post.

Christ.

 

[Falcs]

So why do you suppose the writer put "offend" in quotes if not specifically to piss off people that may be offended?

Why the hell would anybody want to specifically piss people off in a mass email when he is trying to do something good for a certain group of people who have recently suffered? Yeah, maybe the quotation marks were stupid to use, but it certainly wasn't done with the deliberate intention to offend. Who in their right mind would do that in a mass email?

Edit: I think the writer of the email wanted to show that he was acknowledging those who might be offended by the request for prayer, and hoped that they would not take offense due to him/her acknowledging them (hence their mention in the first place). I think the problem is that the person went and wrongfully used quotation marks for this purpose.
Not everyone has a university degree on communication.

 

[sangreal]

Why the hell would anybody want to specifically piss people off in a mass email when he is trying to do something good for a certain group of people who have recently suffered? Yeah, maybe the quotation marks were stupid to use, but it certainly wasn't done with the deliberate intention to offend. Who in their right mind would do that in a mass email?

Okay, so what purpose do you think the quotation marks served if not to express the author's distaste for anyone who might be offended?

Edit: I think the writer of the email wanted to show that he was acknowledging those who might be offended by the request for prayer, and hoped that they would not take offense due to him/her acknowledging them (hence their mention in the first place). I think the problem is that the person went and wrongfully used quotation marks for this purpose.
Not everyone has a university degree on communication.

What purpose do you think they were trying to convey with the quotation marks? They didn't put quotes around other random words

 

[Falcs]

Okay, so what purpose do you think the quotation marks served if not to express the author's distaste for anyone who might be offended?

Just addressed this in my edit above just before you posted ^.
Again, what idiot would actually purposefully do that? And in an email with good intentions of all things?

 

[Anticitizen One]

Remind the sender that the bombers prayed plenty enough.

Do it OP

 

[Kurdel]

"Also we would want the "right" kind of prayer. Please don't pray for the holy war lead by the bombers and the their battle against western values, that would just be akward, thanks."

I am glad I don't work in a place where religion and religious actions are openly encouraged by the administration. Message from corporate was that if anyone called and was in Boston those days, we would automatically credit anything on their cell phone bill.

 

[Bombadil]

"Also we would want the "right" kind of prayer. Please don't pray for the holy war lead by the bombers and the their battle against western values, that would just be akward, thanks."

I am glad I don't work in a place where religion and religious actions are openly encouraged by the administration. Message from corporate was that if anyone called and was in Boston those days, we would automatically credit anything on their cell phone bill.

It's "led," not "lead."

 

[GRIP]

What does that have to do with the fact that emails like this and similar exhortations to prayer are cheap and easy sentimentality? Also, those stats typically include donations to churches. I don't consider a contribution to the Creflo Dollar Porsche Fund a real charitable donation.



Ok, I considered it, but so no reason to change my view on the subject.

My comment was in direct response to yours that implied those who pray do nothing else.

 

[Falcs]

What purpose do you think they were trying to convey with the quotation marks? They didn't put quotes around other random words

Emphasis. They wanted to emphasize that they intended no offense. Wrong use of quotation marks, but it's the only explanation that makes sense. That's how I first read the email. Again, what kind of an absolute idiot would intentionally try to insult/offend people when their main purpose for the whole email was to ask for prayer, which only has good intentions behind it regardless of whether or not you believe in prayer.

 

[les papillons sexuels]

Just a reminder that tomorrow is the start of masturbation month. We certainly don't want to "offend" anyone, but with things like the recent bombing in Boston and the school shooting earlier this year everyone could use a cum and give a cum to those who are in need right now.

this would be hilarious imo.

 

[Imm0rt4l]

It's very unprofessional, but I wouldn't really be offended. Also the of quotes is annoying.

 

[Degen]

So why do you suppose the writer put "offend" in quotes if not specifically to piss off people that may be offended?

That's what I was talking about, specifically. There's a distinct possibility (probably the truth) that the author didn't think anyone would seriously be upset about receiving the letter, whether they were into praying or not, and therefore didn't take that term seriously when it was typed out, like, "yeah, right."

Would that have been shortsighted of him/her? Maybe. Nothing more, in my personal opinion. But anyone else is free to call it a blatant attempt at imposing the dreaded religious agenda upon our freethinking lifestyles or whatever the hell.

 

[Falcs]

That's what I was talking about, specifically. There's a distinct possibility (probably the truth) that the author didn't think anyone would seriously be upset about receiving the letter, whether they were into praying or not, and therefore didn't take that term seriously when it was typed out, like, "yeah, right."

Would that have been shortsighted of him/her? Maybe. Nothing more, in my personal opinion. But anyone else is free to call it a blatant attempt at imposing the dreaded religious agenda upon our freethinking lifestyles or whatever the hell.

So you're implying that the author was using sarcasm. I highly doubt that's the case considering the subject of the email. Unless the person is being a dick. But again, considering the subject and request of the email, I highly doubt this too.

 

[GRIP]

So you're implying that the author was using sarcasm. I highly doubt that's the case considering the subject of the email. Unless the person is being a dick. But again, considering the subject and request of the email, I highly doubt this too.

For fucks sake man. If you are really that disturbed by the senders remarks then get in touch with the OP and ask the source him/her self what they meant with that sentence.

 

[Trent Strong]

It's a dumb email, but I'd just sack up and not be offended by it.

 

[Majmun]

Inappropriate, but harmless. I would've just deleted it without giving it a second thought.

 

[Falcs]

For fucks sake man. If you are really that disturbed by the senders remarks then get in touch with the OP and ask the source him/her self what they meant with that sentence.

Lol... Um.. what?? I'm on the Not Offended side...
I couldn't give two shits about what the email says.

 

[GRIP]

Lol... Um.. what?? I'm on the Not Offended side...
I couldn't give two shits about what the email says.

I've been up too late. My bad. I probably need to go to bed. I'm mixing things up at this point.

 

[jorma]

edit: I think part of the problem here is there are varying differences by posters of the exact definition of "offended", specifically the strength of the word.

Possibly.

Personally i'd be annoyed by the email in the OP, but not offended. To me, being offended is a state of mind that implies behaviour so outrageous that noone should have to tolerate being exposed to it.

 

[Dude Abides]

My comment was in direct response to yours that implied those who pray do nothing else.

It did no such thing. I hope this doesnt "offend" you, but maybe you should pray for better reading skills.

 

[Madness]

Not a Christian, but if my workplace sent out a company wide email for prayers in response to Boston, I wouldn't feel offended at all.

I'd be like ok. What the hell would I have to be offended about?

I bet the OP is the kind of person who gets Christmas trees removed from airports. I'm also assuming OP is american. In Canada, we celebrate other religions and cultures. I put up Christmas lights, I listen to christian/Christmas music on the radio in December, and I'm not even part of the religion or white for that matter.

Unless they're forcing you to pray or be baptized, you have nothing to be offended about. I seriously don't know how you folks will deal with the real world. We just had two large parades in BC that were religious/Sikh parades. Numerous Asians, white people, Fijians and many other cultures and religions were present. No one seemed to be offended.

I agree it's a bit inappropriate, but it's like saying you'll get offended if I write, thoughts and prayers with you. And I know some people do.

 

[Phat Michael]

I don't really care if people want to be religious, but this is pretty unprofessional and the "offended" in quotes seems unnecessarily antagonistic

so they say they dont want to offend you, and you get offended? thats great. sounds like you need to harden up a bit, considering the email wasnt even directed at you.

 

[-PXG-]

I got some email at work a few weeks ago. About some God/ Jesus stuff...whatever....Prayer and miracle bullshit.

I just ignored it. Didn't really a give a shit. OP shouldn't either.