Perhaps we could bring this into focus by asking if the following might offend.

"May the prophet of satan and bielzibub focus his attention on you and your family. May his little elves keep watch over your actions and guide you in your work. His blessing be upon you."

While clearly I don't mean you (or anyone else) any harm, my "blessing" being nothing but inoccuous words with no malice intended, those of you with a religious bent will find them un- nerving and, at least faintly, upsetting.

In Australia, where I live, we are being confronted by a Catholic Church that is currently "instructing" our catholic parlimentarians to reject any move towards accepting 'gay' marriages as a legitimate family structure. Yhis move is clearly mandated by public opinion and is otherwise sure to get up. Not good enough for the church - they know better!

While I don't want to get into a debate about the gay thing I am horrified by the insidious move away from secular democracy towards a theocratic system in which social policy is set by a select few rather than by the wishes of the majority.

The reason these sort of blessings are offensive is not the blessing itself but more that they are just another method for 'normalising' irrational thocratic thinking that helps control free thought.

Saying 'There is no God but Allah and Mohamed is his prophet' over and over again is a good way to brainwash people into believing there is no god but allah and mohamed is his prophet!

Regards
Peter