Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dan on December 15, 2009 at 3:41am

I will say "bless you" or "Gesundheit". I don't really care, and I don't think many people still associate it with its religious connotations now. It's just something people say when someone sneezes. In fact, I didn't even realize it had any religious meaning until I was about 12 or 13. Until then I thought it was a word that was spelled and pronounced like "bleshu". I actually still pronounce it like that. I never distinctly say "bless you". I just slur the two words together.

In any case, it's a harmless phrase that really just means the person is wishing you good health. I can't really get offended for that.

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Permalink Reply by John Boyd on December 15, 2009 at 7:23am

Of all of the things Christians do...of all of the problems that come out of religion...this is at the very bottom of the list. This is simply a habit people get into (Heck, even I say it sometimes...) - sure it's unnecessary, but it's born out of politeness - and most who say it are simply trying to be polite, not preachy.

The phrase "Pick Your Battles" comes to mind.

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Permalink Reply by The Big Blue Frog on December 15, 2009 at 10:35am

I say "gesundheit" because it's completely secular and doesn't have any relationship to curses or blessings. It's simply the command form of the German word for "health." I'm just saying "be healthy!"

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Permalink Reply by Desirai on December 15, 2009 at 5:29pm

LMAO

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Permalink Reply by Galen on December 15, 2009 at 5:07pm

I started a thread on this very subject not too long ago, asking for alternatives to "bless you." Someone in that thread suggested "watch where you point that thing!" and I've used that ever since :)

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Permalink Reply by Desirai on December 15, 2009 at 5:28pm

oh lol! :D

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Permalink Reply by Sam Benzie on December 19, 2009 at 6:06pm

I just answer "I'm alright, thanks" to "Bless you."

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Permalink Reply by Danielle on December 19, 2009 at 7:00pm

I say "bless you" - I was raised to say it (not because my family was crazy god-fearing and wanted to bless everyone, just because it's what they think is polite). It's a hard habit to break, and I honestly don't even care to try to break it, it doesn't bother me at all. It's culture. I do get a bit offended if I'm talking about something in my life that is difficult and someone says "Well God bless you" or something like that, but that's definitely more religiously oriented.

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Permalink Reply by S S Tragus on December 19, 2009 at 9:51pm

As a few of you have already said, I just say 'gesundheit' or 'salud', both meaning 'good health'. Or sometimes, when someone says it to me, depending on who it is, I'll say "You have that power?"

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Permalink Reply by ladymoonage on December 19, 2009 at 10:56pm

I got out of the habit of saying bless you. instead i say salud. it's spanish for good health, but i don't get offended when people tell me bless you. i do get offended when people try to convince me that i'm wrong for being an atheist.

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Permalink Reply by Skycomet the Fallen Angel on December 22, 2009 at 2:26am

Naaah... "Bless You" could be easily interpreted as a person's wish for "good fortune" upon you. [Which could be considered a compliment. ^_^] - I get more offended when someone who finds out about my lack of belief says they'll "PRAY FOR ME." - ugh... like I need that! But... everyone's so used to saying "bless you" after you sneeze... that it really has no meaning anymore.

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Permalink Reply by Atheist Ninja on December 22, 2009 at 2:36am

Ought to ease up I think, not a big deal.

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