do they insist on saying "I'll pray for you" when I have a problem or "gOD bless you" when I sneeze? I honestly feel insulted, where do they get off casting their holy spells on me?
2006-09-22 19:24:35 · 11 answers · asked by shotouthype 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It's a preprogramed response to say something when some one sneezes, not much you can do about it. There is not much you can do when they say they'll pray for you either unless you want to start a fight. I usually ask them to respect my space and not do that. The smart ones get the point and the dumb ones usually need more incentive to live me alone.
2006-09-23 05:43:21 · answer #1 · answered by corvuequis 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't call them "spells".
I don't usually use the phrase "I'll pray for you" unless the person has specifically asked me to pray. If they say "keep me in your thoughts" then I say "I'll keep you in my thoughts". If they says "Send healing energy my way" then I say "I'll send healing energy your way." (I have a lot of friends from various different religions).
I generally avoid saying "God Bless You" after someone sneezes and either say "gesundheit" which is what my family always says when anyone sneezes (my family, too, is very multi-faithed). It means "to your health" in German. Sometimes I say "may your wishes be fulfilled" which is something I learned when studying French (it's a rough translation of what French speaking people often say after someone sneezes). I have a friend that after someone sneezes she says "ole" (like the soccer chant). Not sure why, but it works I suppose.
But being a Hindu when someone says "I'll pray for you" I usually respond with a "thanks" or "I'll pray for you, too". If they say "God bless you" after I sneeze I usually say "thank you" to acknowledge them for noticing I sneezed or I'll say "already receiving blessings, but thanks anyways." (I usually get a puzzled look with that response). I have a friend that if someone says "God bless you" (whether she sneezed or around here it's sometimes used equivalent to "thank you") she'll say "No God bless you, you may need it more." She gets odd looks when she says it, but I think she enjoys the odd looks. :)
If you told me you didn't believe in God or my religion or any religion I wouldn't respond with "I'll pray for you", though. I'd just talk about whatever aspect of religion the person wants to talk about. Just because someone is an Agnostic or Atheist or Undefined doesn't mean that they are somehow incapable of understanding the myriad of religious perspectives in the world and wanting to know more about them in order to appreciate them. Of course being a Hindu prosletyzing is the exception not the rule and Hindus believe that all religions are tools that people use to discover the universal truths of the innate nature of the inner Self and are merely different perspectives on the same truths.
Peace be with you.
2006-09-23 04:03:42 · answer #2 · answered by gabriel_zachary 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you truly don't believe, then what does it matter? They can't summon a God that doesn't exist, and praying to nothing is just talking to yourself, right?
The reality is, if this bothers you, that you probably DO believe, and for whatever reason want to be disassociated, which is not atheistic, it is anti-theistic.
In either case, if the person believes in what they are saying, they're only 'wishing' good things on you, like saying 'good luck'. The bottom line is this: if you don't believe, then don't worry about it; and if you do believe, you need to figure out why your pissed off with God or His believers, and resolve it. The best way to change the world is to start with yourself.
2006-09-23 03:02:33 · answer #3 · answered by claypigeon 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Haha. I can deal with a simple "bless you," in fact I say it, but without the god part because I don't know most ppl's religion. I can sorta appreciate the sediments of, "I'll pray for you" but actually find it very presumptions, and well, I suspect that for many, saying they would pray for me really is the sum total of their prayer. And, well, I don't believe in a personified deity, so find concept rather reaching.
2006-09-23 02:33:19 · answer #4 · answered by Alex62 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I understand how you feel, and as long as they don't try to force it on me, I let them say things like 'God bless you' just because we are taught that this is good etiquette.
Now stop being so sensitive, you are going to the other extreme, I am tired of everyone worying about being politically correct. Let's all just play together nice.
Hey, BTW, I celebrate Christmas, not as a religious holiday, but because a lot of people tend to be nicer to family, friends and strangers and that in itself is worth celebrating.
2006-09-23 02:36:04 · answer #5 · answered by starting over 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's habit for many people.
And... a lot of people disrepect or don't put as much importance in an atheist's belief system. Sort of like they think "oh they'll get over it." It's wrong but that's life.
2006-09-23 02:26:44 · answer #6 · answered by falzalnz 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your pride is showing. Do you not think you're as bad as those who are blessing you? You're just at the other end of the teeter totter. You are as bad as those "holy" people. Oh, by the way, I will pray for you too.
2006-09-23 02:28:21 · answer #7 · answered by whiteparrot 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I agree with you, I have nothing against religion, but I don't like it when people try to force their beliefs on other people, just be open and tell them that you feel offended when they say these things, it's your right too.
2006-09-23 02:28:42 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you ever use the name of God or Jesus as cuss words?
Some believers might find this offensive.
2006-09-23 02:31:50 · answer #9 · answered by David S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Prayer is an act of compassion on their part.
You should except it and be grateful.
2006-09-23 02:35:34 · answer #10 · answered by Bad Buddhist 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋