Humanist term wanted

[Nico]

I quite like the religious (god willing) expression. Accidents may happen so you cant be sure. What would be a good humanist equivalent?

[Marian]

Shit happens?

I wouldn't say we have a set of humanist 'terms'; it's more a way of being in the world.

[samurai23]

Firstly Nico, welcome to TH.

I'm not really sure what you're asking though. Are you saying what is the HUmanist equivalent of the phrase 'God willing'?
If you are, I'd go with what Marian said.

[Mike]

I use all being well - EG "All being well I will see you later"

[Ken H]

"Chances are" (A statistical phrase.)
"By space" (For Asimov fans.)

[Lifelinking]

You could try "If the ancient ones permit" or "while Cthulhu slumbers I quake in terrified anticipation of his return and seek only to atone myself unto his greatness"

[Emma Woolgatherer]

Yes, "all being well" is often a useful substitute. So is a simple "I hope" or "let's hope". (I'd even be happy with "hopefully", although grammar purists might not be too keen.) Often, something like "if we're lucky" or "if my luck holds" might fit the bill. But none of those is particularly ... distinctive.

I was pleased to discover an alternative to "There but for the grace of God go I" in "There but for fortune go I" (which folk music enthusiasts will probably know is the title of a Phil Ochs song (also sung by Joan Baez)).

Which makes me think ... Aha. Yes! Googling yields sixty-odd instances of the phrase "if fortune favours/favors it", which I rather like as a "God willing" substitute, even if it does rather anthropomorphise fortune.

I find it more difficult to find substitutes for "Thank God" (or "Thank Heavens" or "Thank your lucky stars" or even the relatively innocuous "Thank Goodness"). Any ideas?

Emma

[Hundovir]

I quite like the religious (god willing) expression. Accidents may happen so you cant be sure. What would be a good humanist equivalent?

Weather permitting?

[Lord Muck oGentry]

With a bit of luck...

[Ikiru]

"If all goes well..." I think is what I usually say.

[jaywhat]

Knowing my luck! if you want the opposite.

[Maria Mac]

Welcome Nico,

I totally get what you mean but I continue to say 'god willing' and 'god forbid' because they convey what I mean. Everyone knows I am an atheist and realise my use of the g-word is tongue in cheek.

I would draw the line at 'there but for the grace of god', however. The god of my imagination is a tyrant and doesn't do grace so I appreciate the alternative Emma has highlighted.

[Compassionist]

I say things like "Hope to see you later" and "Expect to see you later" and "See you later if causality allows" and "Causality permitting, I will see you later" - they are the equivalent of "God willing".

I say things like "Hope you don't get run over by a bus" and "Hope you don't get mugged" and "Causality permitting, you will escape the flu" - they are the equivalent of "God forbid".

I say things like "All the best" and "Live and help live" and "Take care" - they are the equivalent of "God bless".

[getreal]

I often use phrases with God or jesus on them- I frequently say "there but for the grace of god..." Everyone understands the meaning. The fact I don't believe in an old man on a cloud seems petty.

[Compassionist]

I often use phrases with God or jesus on them- I frequently say "there but for the grace of god..." Everyone understands the meaning. The fact I don't believe in an old man on a cloud seems petty.

I tend to say "All occurs according to causality", "Everything is proceeding according to causality", "There I go but for causality", etc.

[philbo]

Insh'a Allah?

Fingers crossed, and all that. A bit like when you're not sure whether the village show will be rained off... it's fate (that one works better spoken, methinks)

[Compassionist]

Insh'a Allah?

Fingers crossed, and all that. A bit like when you're not sure whether the village show will be rained off... it's fate (that one works better spoken, methinks)

Insha Allah is simply Arabic for God Willing. Muslims use it often. I used to use it when I was a practising Muslim. Islamic concept of Takdir or fate is very similar to Calvinistic interpretation of Christianity. Funnily enough Causalitism is very similar except that Causalitism is secular and is agnostic regarding the existence and nature of any and all deities.

[philbo]

Insha Allah is simply Arabic for God Willing.

I know.. I was trying to make a joke

Muslims use it often.

I was driven by a Muslim in Tunisia a few years ago, who explained that one of the reasons for the high death toll on the roads there (he came across as quite proud that at the time Tunisia had the highest death rate per capita in the world.. at the time I was sitting in a bucket of a Citroen Ami with no seat belt and where the passenger seat wasn't actually fixed to the floor) was that people would completely ignore rules of the road and what other drivers were doing, and if they had a crash it was "Insha Allah". Scary stuff

[Maria Mac]

Insha Allah is simply Arabic for God Willing.

I know.. I was trying to make a joke

I got it. Actually, I think I'd find saying Inshallah even more amusing. I'll try to adopt it.

[Compassionist]

Muslims use it often.

I was driven by a Muslim in Tunisia a few years ago, who explained that one of the reasons for the high death toll on the roads there (he came across as quite proud that at the time Tunisia had the highest death rate per capita in the world.. at the time I was sitting in a bucket of a Citroen Ami with no seat belt and where the passenger seat wasn't actually fixed to the floor) was that people would completely ignore rules of the road and what other drivers were doing, and if they had a crash it was "Insha Allah". Scary stuff

I can relate to that. I have been in several road traffic accidents in Bangladesh. Seat belts are always absent and drivers are reckless. They prefer to hang talismans in the vehicle instead of installing and using seat belts and following the driving codes. Insha Allah indeed. I have lost friends and relatives to road traffic accidents and my Dad was seriously injured last year in a coach crash.