2007-08-17 10:23:04 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
i can see how it might offend some people. but not just atheists.
2007-08-17 10:30:54 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure.
Personally, it doesn't bother me - most of the time. I understand that it's usually just a conventional way of expressing concern, etc. I don't feel "put upon" by it.
Of course, there ARE those instances in which a person is just saying it to be obnoxious.
I was on this board yesterday and somebody had asked a question with a clearly atheist bent, and one of the responses was from a "Christian" who proceeded to publicly pray for his soul, that God might lead him away from error, etc. It was really a direct attack on his character in the form of a prayer. I don't think "religious" people are always necessarily aware of their own motives in behaving the way they do sometimes.
2007-08-17 17:29:09 · answer #2 · answered by jonjon418 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
People doing that when you sneeze aren't even thinking about it, it's a culturally conditioned response that's so automatic you can't possibly hold it against them.
People saying it to you in earnest are so earnest they really want you to be blessed, and you should appreciate the sentiment if not the verbage. Also for many people it's not even about God, it's just a really big "Thank You"
2007-08-17 17:32:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did you ever stop to wonder if they are even really asking a god or one kind or another to bless the person? Maybe it is just a way of blessing and considering your safety or welfare? I think that is knit picky honestly.
2007-08-17 17:39:53 · answer #4 · answered by Kathy H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its funny, the ones that do are overzealous. Saying "God Bless You" doesn't mean an endorsement of the Christian Biblical God, just as trick or treating on Halloween mean you endorse pagan rituals and Gods.
2007-08-17 17:34:29 · answer #5 · answered by damilitia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What about just "Bless you?" That's usually what I say. But I do not know any admitted atheists, so I guess it does not matter.
2007-08-17 17:32:42 · answer #6 · answered by GiGi! 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I find it weird when unbelievers say "God Bless You" when I sneeze. Why would they say that when they do not believe in God?
2007-08-17 17:45:32 · answer #7 · answered by Technoman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most find it grotesque but don't say anything about it to be nice. It's not nice to make fun of people suffering from schizoid delusional mental disorders...
2007-08-17 17:37:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I try not to say it to any atheist for that reason. They hate it.
I try to be thoughtful and considerate, even though they hate us all and take joy in mocking us.
2007-08-17 17:48:39 · answer #9 · answered by batgirl2good 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's actually a great way to start a conversation. Say "I'm an atheist, and so are my sneezes."
2007-08-17 17:27:10 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋