To atheist... how do you respond when you sneeze, and people around you say "god bless you"?

Question

We all know the accepted (polite?) response is "thank you", but as an atheist, you probably find the entire notion silly. At the same time, it's kind of rude (or at least standoffish) to not acknowledge peoples kindness (however deluded.) So what do YOU do.

When I was much younger, I used to ignore people, but nowadays I figure giving them a quick "thanks" (while rediculous) helps grease the social wheels and keeps people happy... something theists and atheists alike can agree the world is sorely lacking.

I should add... I haven't matured to the point where *I* will say, "god bless you" if someone else sneezes. It just sticks in my throat.

Answer 1

The Western custom of saying "God bless you" after a violent sneeze was begun literally as a blessing. Pope Gregory I the Great (540-604 AD) ascended to the Papacy just in time for the start of the plague in 590 AD (his successor succumbed to it). To combat the plague Gregory ordered litanies, processions and unceasing prayer for God's intercession. When someone sneezed, they were immediately blessed ("God bless you!") in the hope that they would not subsequently develop the plague.

This custom persists among speakers of many languages. Common social responses to sneezes in English include "Bless you" and "Gesundheit" (German, "[Good] health [to you]").

Sneezing in Scandinavian countries like Sweden, Norway, and Denmark is usually replied to with "prosit"; "may it benefit" in Latin (although in Finland the reply is practically without exceptions "terveydeksi" - "for your good health"). This is similar to Ghana, where a sneeze is often responded to with the wish for "Good luck!"

In some parts of India, bystanders to a sneeze shout, "Live!" eliciting a response from the sneezer, "Live with you!" In South India, especially in Kerala, when someone sneezes it is customary to bless him. Often older people will say Ayyappa (A god in the Hindu religion) or ammey ("mother" in Kerala and Tamil Nadu) after sneezing or after hearing someone sneezing; and they will tell the sneezer that he is being talked about by someone dear to him.
The list of what I feel is superstious habit and not at all sincere blessing goes on and on and varies from country to country. I told my children to stop saying it sometime ago. Not that I don't believe in blessing, but most folks don't think of blessing you, unless you sneeze.. Lol there is something wrong with that..

cookie

Answer 2

There is no need for you to respond. If you feel that strongly just let it pass. When you sneeze and someone says "God Bless You" or "Bless You" they are just trying to show that they care or are showing respect to you. Again, no response is required. If it bothers you that much, maybe you should just keep to yourself, and keep away from others and then you won't have to be so bothered all the time. Or maybe you should just "put on your big boy/girl pants as the case may be" and get over yourself. There are plenty of people out their hurting in Haiti, Sudan, Russia, and other parts of the world, and a friendly comment or greeting would be very welcome to them. Put yourself in someone else's shoes. Other people are hurting. There are those who can't walk, or see, or are locked away in prison, or hospitals. There really are other things far more important to worry about. Maybe think about those things, and then this won't occupy so much of your time. You're upsetting yourself for no reason.

Answer 3

I'm an agnostic and live in the Bible Belt, where "Have a blessed day" and "Praise Jesus" are perfectly legitimate ways of telling someone goodbye. Around here, there's an abundance of Christians who live every minute in the glory of their Lord, and lavish His blessings and love on just about anyone they meet, when they sneeze, wave hello, or do just about anything.

It used to irritate me, especially when I got called "such a good Christian boy" or told "Jesus must have sent you to me," but I've learned to be grateful for those words. If I look at them from the context of the speaker, those words are powerful, and I'm honored by them. Whether I'm credited personally for my good deeds or God is praised for making me helpful, the same sentiment is expressed. Christians ARE good people most of the time, if you learn to understand them.

Answer 4

You should respect their opinions too and "god bless you" is so common of a phrase now that even atheist can use them without really meaning it. I'm an atheist and I say bless you when someone sneezes it doesn't bother me to say the pledge or anything.

Answer 5

I say "excuse me." I also stand silently while people pray. I have the decency to edit my conversations when I'm with people I don't know. And I find that the social order functions quite well.

Except I do, on occasion, let people know I'm gay. I figure on National Coming Out Day it would be best to mention this. The anxiety about this doesn't belong to me, it belongs to those who are freaked out by it. I'm not going to hold it for them.

Answer 6

I think it's nice that people are blessing me, even if I don't believe what they do. Heck, I still say "Merry Christmas" out of habit. Whatever you're saying, you're still wanting to give some degree of kindness or at least politeness. It's ridiculous to overreact.

Answer 7

If I sneeze I apologise for doing so. if someone else sneezes I say bless you. The 'god' part of it I dont use as I find it unnessacary and in todays climate (where I live in the UK) its quite un-PC to say 'god bless you' to anyone.

Answer 8

I take that little moment to prove that god does not exist. Pull out charts and all that ****.

...But seriously, I just say thank you. I don't think people put much religious sentiment into saying "God bless you"

Answer 9

I normally say "cheers". I find it's a good way to express thanks without seeming like you care at all.
If someone else sneezes I normally don't say anything, unless it sounds particularly bad in which case I might ask if they need some water or something.

Answer 10

I still say "Bless you," out of habit, but it's more of a "Less you", so I guess I'm in the clear of being hypocritical. I don't feel right not saying anything; it's my "religious upbringing" in the works. I guess. I try saying "Gazunheit" (sp?), but that seems too long to say in passing. I just mumble a thanks when told "Bless you."