Are there any Atheists that say "Bless you" when someone sneezes?

Question

I'm an Atheist, so I would feel weird if were say it...
(I'm weird)
But then it makes me feel rude, since I don't.

I know the religious background of saying "Bless you" and that's is probably why I feel awkard if I were to say it. Thanks for all the great answers.

=D

Answer 1

It's not a religious custom, it's a secular custom, like putting up a Christmas tree or having a big dinner on Thanksgiving.

Like saying '. . . one country under God . . . ' in the Pledge of Allegiance. Ask any eight-year-old what that means, or what -any- of the Pledge of Allegiance means, and you'll see that to most of them it's just meaningless syllables they recite every morning.

I worked for a couple of years with a man from India, and we got to be very close friends. When I sneezed he would say 'Bless you'. After a few times I asked him 'Do Hindus say that too?' He said 'No, of course not, but it's an American custom.'

Answer 2

It is said without religious connotation. The human heart stops the moment that you sneeze. Assuming that it starts up again is a gesture that you are blessed by God if you are a believer or Mother Nature if you're not.

Answer 3

I was raised christian, so i got used to saying bless you when someone sneezed, but once i got into high school and realized i didnt believe in god, i thought about not syaing it, but it actually just comes as a reflex. and while im sure no one thinks your rude for not saying it when they sneeze, when i say it i dont feel like im going agaisnt what i believe, since i dont attach any spiritual meaning to the phrase.

Answer 4

If you feel weird saying that, you could say I'm sorry. I guess we are so use to hearing God Bless You, that what else could you say. You sound like a nice person, so don't feel like you are being rude by not responding.

Answer 5

Yes I do because I was raised to do that out of politeness and it doesn't bother me to say bless you. It is just words and it makes the person feel better so why not.

Answer 6

Yeah, I'm one of those atheists. I say "bless you" out of habit and just being polite. I really don't mean anything other than politeness.

Occassionally, if I'm in a more serious atheist mood I might say, "Hallelujia" or "Have mercy!" or even "Testify!"

Answer 7

Say "Gusundheit' the german blessing for a sneeze. It means good health...so no religious implications

Answer 8

I tend to say "gehzunteit". Not so much because I dislike the phrase "bless you", but because its origins came from a fear that the soul was leaving the body.

Answer 9

It's not necessary to say anything when someone sneezes. You shouldn't feel rude for not acknowledging a sneeze, do you need to say something when someone coughs?

Answer 10

Gazunteit