2006-09-09 18:58:47 · 29 answers · asked by SN 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I don't respond to it if they said it because I sneezed.
If they say it for any other reason, like, "Well, I've got to go now, God bless you..." I say, "Could you not? 'Cause I really didn't ask you to."
Sounds mean, but it's a bit presumptuous to lay your God love down on someone without knowing if that's ok with them. How would they like it if I said, "Well, I've got to go now. Hail to the Flying Spaghetti Monster..." They could take offence at that, and I am just as entitled to take offense at being blessed by them.
2006-09-09 19:06:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Just respond by saying thank you to be polite. The person is just being nice, not trying to change your beliefs. Also, there are so many words and phrases in the English language that have religious derivations. For example, 'Goodbye' is an old English contraction of 'God be with you'. Can you really take offense at how something is phrased when the symbolic meaning is so positive?
Don't turn down a friendly gesture just because the person who gave it believes something you don't and expresses their good will to you in a different way than you would.
Take care!
2006-09-10 02:19:37 · answer #2 · answered by EgoSum 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Most people that say "God bless you" or "bless you" when you sneeze aren't even Christian. That is actually a pagan ritual - people believed that when you sneezed bad spirits were leaving your body and therefore it was a blessing. So don't go attacking someone who says that just because you think they are of a different religion- they could be just as atheist as you are. Most of the time people are just trying to be polite- so a smile is all you really need to respond with! Hope this helped!
2006-09-10 02:04:09 · answer #3 · answered by raybradluvr5 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Thank you will be great, even if you are an atheist, not to offend who ever is asking god to bless you just say thanks. Just think of their open loving hearts towards you, and every time they ask with a sincere heart a blessing abides upon you even if you are an atheist.
2006-09-10 02:11:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
People do not assume your religious background when saying "god bless you". It is just a courteous gesture. Don't read into it any more then they are wishing you well. Technically, your heart skips a beat when you sneeze.
2006-09-10 11:12:34 · answer #5 · answered by muffin 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
a person does not have to believe in gravity for the apple to fall from the tree, May the good Lord bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and give you His joy In Jesus' name Amen and Amen
2006-09-10 02:47:31 · answer #6 · answered by denise f 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I still say thank you...I guess I'm just thanking them for their consideration. Did you know that the custom came from the early middle ages, whe people thought demons and evil spirits could enter your being when you sneezed? Why don't we just say "begone demon!"
2006-09-10 02:14:42 · answer #7 · answered by wendy g 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, I guess it would depend on whether you are a kind person or not. A response of "thank you", might be a more kind way of replying. Or are you a more "in your face" kind of atheist?
2006-09-10 02:06:19 · answer #8 · answered by tri_valley_bear 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know what's wrong with people. So what if you respond? Responding to somebody who says god bless you to you doesn't change your religion, or whatever you believe. I am not a Christian, but I don't tell people to go to hell when they tell me Merry Christmas either. I say Merry Christmas right back to them. Why upset people for nothing? Humans are so selfish.
2006-09-10 02:05:28 · answer #9 · answered by tuffbrunette 2 · 3⤊ 2⤋
wrong....being polite has nothing to do with religion. even if you do not believe in their religion, it is still polite to respond to them. it is still said to you as a blessing from there point of view. you do not have to say god bless you to them if they sneeze, etc.
2006-09-10 02:02:29 · answer #10 · answered by rita 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋