I donno Smokey. If you agree with Shaw that it is wrong to indoctrinate kids then you probably shouldn't be helping spread the lie.

I can't see how I'm spreading anything by saying "Gor bless yer, missus" in gratitude to an old lady who already believes in God anyway. How on earth d'you work that one out? Incidentally, I'm pretty careful about what I say in front of children, mine and others'.

I also don't see it as confrontational.

You would if I questioned your honesty, and if I did, it would be.

I just see it is as interesting that you pretend to little old ladies that there is a God while you argue here that it isn't.

I'm not pretending there's a God to them though, just using a familiar and comforting expression which may mean more to them than it does to me. If there is any pretence involved, it has already been done by the church and the clergy. I suppose it could be said that I am pretending to go along with that pretence, but as I said, in those circumstances I regard that as insignificant, as I suspect would the little old lady upon being rigorously interrogated. (It's no good being too soft on 'em.)

And I don't see what is compelling you to say "God Bless."

It's not a compulsion, sorry to disappoint you.. I'm just as likely to say 'Thank you very much', or 'ta, me duck', or 'what about some biscuits you mean old bitch'.