Most people in the world say this and I am tired of being obligated to say it every time. Do you think the public can stop saying this one day???
2007-06-01 08:48:11 · 16 answers · asked by Mr. Luva Luva 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
a superstition and religious belief. it was believed that when you sneezed, you lost your soul and the devil could take over your body soon after. to prevent this, people would say bless you. but im not completely sure if this is the real story behind it. also, i agree, if this is the stroy behind sneezing, then no one is obliged to say bless you. what is the point?! its a normal function of the body. no one for sure says bless you when you fart, right?
2007-06-01 09:01:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Saying bless you when someone sneezes originated when the plague was sweeping europe. It was believed sneezing was a precursor to having the illness so people would quickly bless you as a fast prayer.
2007-06-01 16:55:20 · answer #2 · answered by brian o 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just do it out of habit, not for the biblical reason.
It's funny that you ask this question b/c my parents refused to bless someone when they'd sneeze.
My mother is a trip- sometimes if I sneeze, she'll say,"I don't believe in saying 'bless you.'
Remember that Seinfeld episode, when Jerry suggested people say,"You're sooo good looking," when someone sneezed?
How about that?
2007-06-01 16:12:25 · answer #3 · answered by (no subject) 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am with you. I dont know why...Its kinda weird though to bless someone because they sneeze. The public wont ever stop saying it though....
2007-06-01 16:20:02 · answer #4 · answered by Just here. 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was a common myth that your heart stopped briefly when you sneezed (this has been proved incorrect) but, back in the day people said "bless you" in case your heart didn't start beating again, and were blessing you before you died.
2007-06-01 15:55:15 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It stems back to a belief that your soul leaves your body when you sneeze, and an evil spirit could enter.
It has becomes a polite custom.
You can stop saying it today that doesn't mean I will.
2007-06-01 15:54:03 · answer #6 · answered by keezy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
not only for demons but also back "then" your heart would stop (it still does today) so someone would say god bless you that you didn't die because there was nothing you could do back then if your heart didn't start back up again
I am 70% sure of this
2007-06-01 15:57:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was once believe that when you sneezed, you were purging demons from your body. So people would "bless" the one who was purging the demons.
2007-06-01 15:52:21 · answer #8 · answered by jaytee556 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I dont say it, I just smile and they get it. They say it though because your heart skips a beat when you sneeze (check your pulse next time you feel the urge)
2007-06-01 15:53:30 · answer #9 · answered by cait5156 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
no, i dont think that people will stop extending a courtesy. i dont know if its a fact but it was believed that when you sneeze you are in danger of dieing. something to do with the heart. therefore the courtesy. you are waaaaaaay too uptight.
2007-06-01 17:37:31 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋