Important information for theists discussion

[Dotard]

Preaching to the converted is just a saying and like the bible is not meant to be taken literally.

If a friend were trying to convince me of the Membrane theory of multiple Universes I would use the same phrase and it wouldn't have any religious connotations, although the root of the phrase has.

Like it or not, religion is ingrained in our history, society and language and as an old git I have grown up with phrases like these, giving little or no thought to their literal meaning.

Perhaps I should have said, "re-enforcing jointly held opinions" but I don't think it has quite the same pithy ring to it.

Your post hit home. I too have grown up with these phrases and still to this day say things like "God willing", "bless you", "God only knows" and "Merry Christmas" with no thoughts about literal meanings. They're only sayings...apothegms, proverbs, oracular utterances.