I reply with silence. Sometimes they repeat it, as if I'm obligated to cater to their superstition. Why do they assume every one has their superstitions?
What would you think if the next time you sneezed somebody said
"God LESS you" or "God is just pretend"
I'm thinking about replying with "pretend can be fun" the next time somebody tells me "god bless you".
2006-07-18 15:27:57 · 54 answers · asked by downdrain 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
...but then I'll have to watch my back.
2006-07-18 15:28:22 · update #1
How does it help my sneezing situation?
2006-07-18 15:34:10 · update #2
Atheist or not, will it hurt you to say ''thank you''????
2006-07-18 15:30:58 · answer #1 · answered by Ralph G 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Wow. I'm about as much of a non-Christian as you are, and even I think you're a douchebag. I don't think people should be insulted or made to feel bad when they are innocently trying to be polite.
As for all the people saying that the sneeze superstition is about expelling demons from the body, no; it was thought that when you sneezed you lost a part of your soul, and people around you said "Bless you" so that the soul would be put back. And I believe it is Celtic in origin.
Nothing wrong with being an atheist, but there is something wrong with being an ašshole. You're no better than Christians who make fun of atheists and try to shove their religion down the atheist's throats. Replying with things like "God less you" is the same thing, and is stupid and childish. Grow up.
2006-07-18 16:28:01 · answer #2 · answered by clorox.bleech 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that there is more to this question. Why do you think that God is "pretend"? Just because you question God does not make you an atheist. We all question God at one time or another in our lives, even major televangeslist do. This is a sign that you want to know more than what you have been shown and are seeking answers. There is nothing wrong with you wanting to know more.
I think that the fact that you have the ability to type out clear and precise sentences as you have here, proves that there is a higher power at work in your life. Some (this may or may not pertain to you) people are so busy looking for the big things that God has done, but what about the small things that are constantly overlooked.
Just the fact that you typed out your sentence shows me that God favors you in many ways, you just fail to see it. I too used to question life in general, and ask why? This question plagued me for years until I read the book of Job in the Bible. No matter how you feel about God, philosophies, higher powers, etc. read this book. If you do so objectively, I guarantee you that you will find more than you bargained for.
In answer to your question, if someone did say to me after I sneezed, "God bless you", I probably would say: "Do you know Him?"
2006-07-18 15:50:44 · answer #3 · answered by ljones_0424 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can understand how you feel. I am a Christian, and although I do not say "God bless you" every time someone sneezes, your belief should be respected. I guess it is done out of habit. Sometimes, we Christians can forget that not everyone practices our beliefs. In your question, you stated that you wanted to reply with "pretend can be fun." I don't think that would be necessary; however, you do have to handle that situation the best way you can. I would like to say that as a Christian, we don't pretend. See..under our belief...we don't have to see everything to believe it. We know that the stars, moon, and sun are in the sky, and man had nothing to do with it. We also know that we die, and man has no way of figuring it out. Therefore, we believe that something is behind this whole masterpiece. Here is where religion comes into play........Now to find a religion...a person has to do their own research, but because every religion wants to be right...it is hard finding the right one. This is why I am a Christian. Jesus never spoke of a religion....He just told us to live by the words of the Bible, believe in him and all things shall be revealed....
2006-07-18 15:46:52 · answer #4 · answered by lisaisbizness 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It isn't really believers that are telling you "God bless you", per say. It can be anyone. The saying comes from a time when people thought sneezing was expelling demons from the body. That is why they say 'God bless you', to make sure all the demons are gone and you are protected. I think with some people, it is just habit. Doesn't mean that they are forcing their beliefs on you! And even then, just because YOU don't believe, doesn't mean they can't pray for you. That is their belief and their right, just as not believing is yours. I really don't think you should respond with anything to them, and I really don't think you should take offense to someone saying this to you. If you respond to them with a smart aleck comment, you are being rude and very inconsiderate to them. Do you want someone to be that way to you?
2006-07-18 15:36:22 · answer #5 · answered by swedchef13 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As all your bodily organs stop functioning when you sneeze , in that 1 second you are as close to your death as you ever will be until you finally physically die ..We as Christians say Bless you because of the closeness of death when you sneeze , we ask God to Bless anyone that close to death . We have no way of knowing you don`t believe in God. It is our Christian love for one another that we say Bless you , whether you`re a believer or not ? Jude 1:17-19.................But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time , who should walk after their own ungodly lust . These be they who seperate themselves , sensual , having not the Spirit . .............. Good luck without Blessings !! You aren`t going to live forever , your day will come , and without God with you as you take your last breath on earth and pass away into eternity , it will be to late then !!
2006-07-18 16:59:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the middle ages, they believed that when someone sneezed, that they were expelling demons or preventing demons from entering into them.
So the term "God bless you" was asking God to keep the demons out of you or to prevent them coming near you in the future.
Sneezing powder became very popular among those who had a hard time controlling immoral thoughts. They blamed those on the demons as well.
2006-07-18 15:34:48 · answer #7 · answered by Here I Am 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it's their belief that "Blessing" you is a good thing. They are not trying to offend you and it doesn't require that you also believe for them to wish a blessing upon you. On the flipside, a devoted "witch" may cast a spell on a someone regardless of whether or not they believe in spellcasting.
There is no possible way to appease everyone and since the majority of humans believe in some higher power, they probably assume that you will appreciate it. Again, it's not meant to be offensive.
2006-07-18 15:35:08 · answer #8 · answered by salamander_mn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its not a superstition. When you sneeze, your heart stops beating. Asking God to bless you being that close to death is all they are doing. Get over it. God is not pretend and you wil find that out soon enough.
2006-07-18 15:32:08 · answer #9 · answered by Carol M 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definition of God bless you
God bless you: Interjection used especially when someone has sneezed. In this situation, "God bless you" is more or less equivalent to saying "Gesundheit."
In German "Gesundheit" means "health" (and "sanity"). Wishing "good health" was once thought to hold off the illness that might follow a sneeze.
"God bless you" came into usage to prevent the escape of the soul from the body, which was thought to occur with a sneeze. (Soullessness was believed to cause ill health.)
I hope this helps you to understand why and they do say it in GOOD FAITH : )
Love & Blessings
Milly
2006-07-18 15:35:05 · answer #10 · answered by milly_1963 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Kingdom of God is based on sowing and reaping. If they sow positive words, blessings, they will reap positive fruits.
There have been times, when Satan has put curses (opposite of blessings) on a person; if the person who says those words has a prophetic gift, the evil spirits would flee. There are people who are very grateful that at the right place and at the right time, someone said:"God Bless You!"
Boaz.
2006-07-18 15:33:44 · answer #11 · answered by Boaz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋