Bless you
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the song by Martha & the Vandellas, see Bless You (song).
Bless you, or God bless you, is a common English expression addressed to a person after they sneeze. The origin of the custom and its original purpose are unknown.
An alternative response to sneezing is the German and Yiddish word Gesundheit.
[edit]Origins and legends
Several possible origins are commonly given. The practice of blessing a sneeze, dating as far back as at least 77 AD, however, is far older than most specific explanations can account for.[1]
One explanation holds that the custom originally began as an actual blessing. Gregory I became Pope in 590 AD as an outbreak of the bubonic plague was reaching Rome. In hopes of fighting off the disease, he ordered unending prayer and parades of chanters through the streets. At the time, sneezing was thought to be an early symptom of the plague. The blessing ("God bless you!") became a common effort to halt the disease.[2]
A variant of the Pope Gregory I story places it with Pope Gregory VII, then tells the common story of "Ring Around the Rosey" being connected to the same plague.[3]
A legend holds that it was believed that the heart stops beating and the phrase "bless you" is meant to ensure the return of life or to encourage your heart to continue beating.[1][2][4]
Another version says that people used to believe that your soul can be thrown from your body when you sneeze,[1] that sneezing otherwise opened your body to invasion by the Devil[2] or evil spirits,[4] or that sneezing was your body's effort to force out an invading evil spirit.[1] Thus, "bless you" or "God bless you" is used as a sort of shield against evil.
Alternatively, it may be possible that the phrase began simply as a response for an event that was not well understood at the time.[1]
Another belief is that people used to see sneezing as a sign that God would answer your prayers[3] or an omen of good fortune or good luck.[1] In this case, "Bless you" would be in recognition of that luck.
Tibetan Buddhists believe a sneeze (like meditation, falling asleep, preparing to die) can provide a moment of "clear consciousness," when people are opened to greater understanding.[5]
we say geitses..means have health..
and we say a 4 number for see who is thinking of you
"...Dimitri...He talks to me...'.."The Ghost of Greece..".
"..That's One Happy Fuckin Ghost.."
“..That came up on the Pillow Case...This is for the Greek, With Our Apologies.....”
Bless you
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the song by Martha & the Vandellas, see Bless You (song).
Bless you, or God bless you, is a common English expression addressed to a person after they sneeze. The origin of the custom and its original purpose are unknown.
An alternative response to sneezing is the German and Yiddish word Gesundheit.
[edit]Origins and legends
Several possible origins are commonly given. The practice of blessing a sneeze, dating as far back as at least 77 AD, however, is far older than most specific explanations can account for.[1]
One explanation holds that the custom originally began as an actual blessing. Gregory I became Pope in 590 AD as an outbreak of the bubonic plague was reaching Rome. In hopes of fighting off the disease, he ordered unending prayer and parades of chanters through the streets. At the time, sneezing was thought to be an early symptom of the plague. The blessing ("God bless you!") became a common effort to halt the disease.[2]
A variant of the Pope Gregory I story places it with Pope Gregory VII, then tells the common story of "Ring Around the Rosey" being connected to the same plague.[3]
A legend holds that it was believed that the heart stops beating and the phrase "bless you" is meant to ensure the return of life or to encourage your heart to continue beating.[1][2][4]
Another version says that people used to believe that your soul can be thrown from your body when you sneeze,[1] that sneezing otherwise opened your body to invasion by the Devil[2] or evil spirits,[4] or that sneezing was your body's effort to force out an invading evil spirit.[1] Thus, "bless you" or "God bless you" is used as a sort of shield against evil.
Alternatively, it may be possible that the phrase began simply as a response for an event that was not well understood at the time.[1]
Another belief is that people used to see sneezing as a sign that God would answer your prayers[3] or an omen of good fortune or good luck.[1] In this case, "Bless you" would be in recognition of that luck.
Tibetan Buddhists believe a sneeze (like meditation, falling asleep, preparing to die) can provide a moment of "clear consciousness," when people are opened to greater understanding.[5]
Gimli 1993
Fargo 2003
Winnipeg 2005
Winnipeg 2011
St. Paul 2014
Your ultra-sensitivity with regards to your faith is obviously your cross to bear, so to speak, not anyone else's.
CAN I SAY ONCE AGAIN: YOU ARE TAKING THIS WAAAAAAAAAAAAAY TOO SERIOUSLY. Take a step back and take this for what it is.
I'm pretty much faithLESS to tell you the truth and was trying to be diplomatic when I asked you if you could see how the topic may have evolved like it has. I promise I'm not yelling at my screen in a crimson rage, I'm just confused as to why something like 'Bless you' need ever be questioned because of the religious inference, and why that should ever make you uncomfortable.
I've taken a step back, and what it is, or at least what it became was a platform for accusations that such well-meant gestures are in fact a selfish means for people of faith to impose thier doctrines on others,....it is exactly what I feared it would be. Now I appreciate you may not have intended it to be so, and I have apologised for suggesting otherwise if it was accidental, but this is what it turned out to be.
I'll Coles Notes it for you why it makes me uncomfortable in both scenarios:
when I sneeze: someone says (God) Bless You, which to me is a religious custom, and it forces me through social obligation to say thank you to the person for doing something for me that I don't believe in
when someone else sneezes: they expect me to bless them, or I feel they do, which then causes me a little (albeit: minute) uncomfortability because I then feel as though they might think I'm a rude sunuvabitch
now, whether someone else takes the saying literally or if they don't find it to be religious is moot. I DO. And I'm not religious. When I was religious, I would also take offense to people wearing crosses around their necks and such for nothing other than cosmetics. My best friend didn't believe in God, and I kind of freaked on him for wearing a cross around his neck because he "liked it". It offended me as a Christian.
I have never once been rude and told someone I didn't want to bless them, nor have I ever said to anyone that I would appreciate if they kept their blessing to themselves. I am not offended, as I know most people say it out of nothing more than polite habit, like "thank you" or "you're welcome". We are programmed as kids to do so. I am not anti-god or anti-religion, I just simply don't like it. End of story.
I'm just confused as to why something like 'Bless you' need ever be questioned because of the religious inference, and why that should ever make you uncomfortable.
Gimli 1993
Fargo 2003
Winnipeg 2005
Winnipeg 2011
St. Paul 2014
I'll Coles Notes it for you why it makes me uncomfortable in both scenarios:
when I sneeze: someone says (God) Bless You, which to me is a religious custom, and it forces me through social obligation to say thank you to the person for doing something for me that I don't believe in
when someone else sneezes: they expect me to bless them, or I feel they do, which then causes me a little (albeit: minute) uncomfortability because I then feel as though they might think I'm a rude sunuvabitch
now, whether someone else takes the saying literally or if they don't find it to be religious is moot. I DO. And I'm not religious. When I was religious, I would also take offense to people wearing crosses around their necks and such for nothing other than cosmetics. My best friend didn't believe in God, and I kind of freaked on him for wearing a cross around his neck because he "liked it". It offended me as a Christian.
I have never once been rude and told someone I didn't want to bless them, nor have I ever said to anyone that I would appreciate if they kept their blessing to themselves. I am not offended, as I know most people say it out of nothing more than polite habit, like "thank you" or "you're welcome". We are programmed as kids to do so. I am not anti-god or anti-religion, I just simply don't like it. End of story.
I'm just confused as to why something like 'Bless you' need ever be questioned because of the religious inference, and why that should ever make you uncomfortable.
So it has nothing to do with religion…..How do you feel about the other things we are taught ( programmed) as children…like Thank you, Please, Excuse me, or good manners in general?
“We the people are the rightful masters of bothCongress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution.” Abraham Lincoln
I'm just confused as to why something like 'Bless you' need ever be questioned because of the religious inference, and why that should ever make you uncomfortable.
Amen!
Oops!
The only people we should try to get even with...
...are those who've helped us.
Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
So it has nothing to do with religion…..How do you feel about the other things we are taught ( programmed) as children…like Thank you, Please, Excuse me, or good manners in general?
Gimli 1993
Fargo 2003
Winnipeg 2005
Winnipeg 2011
St. Paul 2014
Ok but here's the point, why must anyone emphasize what benefits them directly (such as praying) to somehow bring relief, sympathy or similar on another person who may not think or believe the same? It's no different from a Christian telling a Muslim that Jesus loves him and is watching out for them... it's merely displaced belief and thought in a centric, selfish manner, even if meant in a nice way or gesture. Why not just say something generic that doesn't incorporate a personal thought or belief compared to extending it to another? In my opinion, part of it is laziness that people assume everyone is like them, a lack of diversity that people think no one is different, or selfish to think that what you do should be acknowledge as ok by others. It's just about better judgment in many respects.. it's not just the sentiment, it's also how you say and go about things that people recognize in life. Just because some find legitimacy or comfort in things like prayer, doesn't mean others can relate, and if someone is really trying to go out of their way to pay some respects or offer a sign of sympathy, why do it on your own terms compared to the person who you're relaying the message too? It's backwards logic and rational.
I disagree with this part. Saying you'll pray for someone else does not impose your beliefs onto them or presume that that share your faith. Praying for someone is nothing more than you acting in accordance with your own beliefs. It only imposes your beliefs on others if you ask them to pray - just as they are imposing their beliefs on you if they think you shouldn't pray just because they disagree with your beliefs.
I completely disagree and think that your attitude is the centrist, selfish one. Let's say I believe in God and praying and you don't. The way I express concern or put good vibes out into the world or wish people well is to pray for them. That's ME living MY life in accordance with MY beliefs. You don't have to believe in God or prayer for me to pray for you and my praying for you in no way assumes that you do, puts my beliefs as central, or imposes those beliefs onto you. I am not asking you to believe what I believe; I'm merely telling you the manner in which I send people good vibes. For you to insist that my manner of sending good vibes is congruent with your own is not a neutral position, but rather you imposing your beliefs onto me. What is neutral is for me to live my life in my way and you to live your life in yours. As long as I'm not telling you pray or believe what I believe, there shouldn't be a problem. Your assumption that people living their own lives according to their own beliefs presuppose that others share their beliefs and is therefore centric and selfish is mistaken. My praying for you does not in any way assume that you are like me.
And I don't think this is analogous to a Christian telling a Muslim that Jesus loves him and is watching out for him. If this belief is stated as absolute fact instead of as a belief, that does disregard the beliefs of others. But telling someone what you, personally, plan to do on your own (pray) is not the same as stating your beliefs as absolute fact.
ETA: People often pray for other people who they care about and are worried about. They would like to be able to do something for their loved one but they can't - all they can do is pray. If praying helps alleviate their sense of helplessness to protect the people they love, I don't think anyone has a right to try to take that away from them.
I'll Coles Notes it for you why it makes me uncomfortable in both scenarios:
when I sneeze: someone says (God) Bless You, which to me is a religious custom, and it forces me through social obligation to say thank you to the person for doing something for me that I don't believe in
when someone else sneezes: they expect me to bless them, or I feel they do, which then causes me a little (albeit: minute) uncomfortability because I then feel as though they might think I'm a rude sunuvabitch
now, whether someone else takes the saying literally or if they don't find it to be religious is moot. I DO. And I'm not religious. When I was religious, I would also take offense to people wearing crosses around their necks and such for nothing other than cosmetics. My best friend didn't believe in God, and I kind of freaked on him for wearing a cross around his neck because he "liked it". It offended me as a Christian.
I have never once been rude and told someone I didn't want to bless them, nor have I ever said to anyone that I would appreciate if they kept their blessing to themselves. I am not offended, as I know most people say it out of nothing more than polite habit, like "thank you" or "you're welcome". We are programmed as kids to do so. I am not anti-god or anti-religion, I just simply don't like it. End of story.
The topic evoked exactly the kind of responses I thought it would and I dont think they're ever helpful,...I simply don't like them. End of story.
for me it's about picking your battles. on the scope of things that are wrong with this world today, someone saying 'god bless me'' when i sneeze, just doesn't rate a mention on the outrage scale.
it takes about 5 seconds for them to say it and it's not like it has ever been the prelude to a conversation about god. it just doesn't affect me.
I resent having to say "(God) bless you" and I also feel weird when people say it to me. I think maybe the polite thing to do, if anything, is for the sneezer to say "excuse me".
"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win ."
I resent having to say "(God) bless you" and I also feel weird when people say it to me. I think maybe the polite thing to do, if anything, is for the sneezer to say "excuse me".
I agree! but it's just a gut feeling that I get, it's almost like a perpetual social obligation to say something religious to someone. Bugs me.
I'm with you on this.
I read something many moons ago that said the origins of saying 'Bless you!' stem from Puritans in the 17th century believing that all bodily functions were ungodly and needed to be blessed, so anytime someone coughed, or sneezed they needed to be blessed to shoo away the evil spirits or something. Freaks!
I agree! but it's just a gut feeling that I get, it's almost like a perpetual social obligation to say something religious to someone. Bugs me.
I'm with you on this.
I read something many moons ago that said the origins of saying 'Bless you!' stem from Puritans in the 17th century believing that all bodily functions were ungodly and needed to be blessed, so anytime someone coughed, or sneezed they needed to be blessed to shoo away the evil spirits or something. Freaks!
I read that it was started during the Plague. If someone sneezed it was believed they had the symptoms so people said "God bless you" as they were going to die.
it's just a kind gesture or just something nice to say to someone so why are some of you so put out by it ?
a little more kindness in our lives couldn't hurt. people talk about how bad things are in the world/ our governments,people that kill,radical protesters etc. and when someone offers a kind word some people still find something bad about it, must be human nature to complain.
just my thought on it.
no one is complaining, GF. some of us just aren't religious, and feel it's a religious saying, which makes some of us mildly uncomfortable, but not enough to really worry about it. why is this seen as complaining and/or god-bashing?
just like you have gut feelings about God, I have gut feelings that go in a different direction. I don't get why that's so difficult for some to comprehend.
it's just a kind gesture or just something nice to say to someone so why are some of you so put out by it ?
a little more kindness in our lives couldn't hurt. people talk about how bad things are in the world/ our governments,people that kill,radical protesters etc. and when someone offers a kind word some people still find something bad about it, must be human nature to complain.
just my thought on it.
Godfather.
Gimli 1993
Fargo 2003
Winnipeg 2005
Winnipeg 2011
St. Paul 2014
this wasn't a big deal to me in the beginning. but now I'm kind of annoyed by this. this is really showing how some religious people seem to think it's no big deal as long as it doesn't make THEM or THEIR BELIEFS uncomfortable. But as soon as someone of not the same faith has something to say, it's "what's the big deal, it's just something nice to say?". WITHIN THE CONFINES OF YOUR FAITH IT IS, YES. I'm not of your faith.
let me just say that I find it oddly hypocritical that some religious people seem to be so passe about this. I do my utmost BEST not to say or do things around people who I know are of faith that I think might make them uncomfortable. Is it too much to ask the same of you people?
I guess I was naive thinking this could stay light hearted. :roll:
Gimli 1993
Fargo 2003
Winnipeg 2005
Winnipeg 2011
St. Paul 2014
I do my utmost BEST not to say or do things around people who I know are of faith that I think might make them uncomfortable. Is it too much to ask the same of you people?:
The thing is that the majority of people who may say 'bless you' when one sneezes don't even make the 'religious' connection. It's a phrase that has entered the common language, a convention. Same as Italian men touching their balls to ward off bad luck - doesn't mean anything really - just a habit.
this wasn't a big deal to me in the beginning. but now I'm kind of annoyed by this. this is really showing how some religious people seem to think it's no big deal as long as it doesn't make THEM or THEIR BELIEFS uncomfortable. But as soon as someone of not the same faith has something to say, it's "what's the big deal, it's just something nice to say?". WITHIN THE CONFINES OF YOUR FAITH IT IS, YES. I'm not of your faith.
let me just say that I find it oddly hypocritical that some religious people seem to be so passe about this. I do my utmost BEST not to say or do things around people who I know are of faith that I think might make them uncomfortable. Is it too much to ask the same of you people?
I guess I was naive thinking this could stay light hearted. :roll:
I'd be just as uncomfortable as you if they weaved scripture into the conversation every other breath, but I don't think ANYONE says 'Bless you' with Christianity in mind.
Therefore, yes. It probably is a bit too much of an ask to expect them police the meaningless pleasantries that we all use without thinking. It is not the same as us trying not to unnecessarily insult something that they've shaped their entire existence around.
let me just say that I find it oddly hypocritical that some religious people seem to be so passe about this. I do my utmost BEST not to say or do things around people who I know are of faith that I think might make them uncomfortable. Is it too much to ask the same of you people?
I guess I was naive thinking this could stay light hearted. :roll:
The thing is a few people who have posted in here have said they are agnostic and say 'bless you' ... I know I was taught (by again agnostic parents) that it was the polite thing to do and I have admitted it is a reflex ... so I'm not sure who you are referring to as 'you people'.
People aren't saying it to make you uncomfortable ... and I'm sure if you pointed out to people around you it is making you uncomfortable they would try not to do it (although the reflex thing may kick in sometimes ) ... and wouldn't expect it from you. How do people know you are uncomfortable unless you let them know?
I think it may have come from a religous place originally but is now passed on in the same way as please and thank you as a courtesy ... whether that be right or wrong.
There are many sayings that are still used that don't necessarily have their original meaning but our said out of habit/tradition.
So are we strangers now? Like rock and roll and the radio?
I think my annoyance is no longer about this specific issue. It's about ignorance in general.
People wouldn't know, as I wouldn't bother making it known for obvious trivial reasons. It would be ridiculous to say to someone "please don't bless me, it makes me uncomfortable". My original point was that I don't say it, I don't give a shit if other people say it. Uncomfortable is the wrong word, really, as it doesn't accurately portray the feeling. It makes it more than it is.
Now this has turned into something else, something that should be addressed in a more serious thread, as the turn this has taken, with any serious comments, the next response just garners indifference. People can't seem to grasp it's more about simple manners. And that they made it into more than that. They want to have it both ways.
let me just say that I find it oddly hypocritical that some religious people seem to be so passe about this. I do my utmost BEST not to say or do things around people who I know are of faith that I think might make them uncomfortable. Is it too much to ask the same of you people?
I guess I was naive thinking this could stay light hearted. :roll:
The thing is a few people who have posted in here have said they are agnostic and say 'bless you' ... I know I was taught (by again agnostic parents) that it was the polite thing to do and I have admitted it is a reflex ... so I'm not sure who you are referring to as 'you people'.
People aren't saying it to make you uncomfortable ... and I'm sure if you pointed out to people around you it is making you uncomfortable they would try not to do it (although the reflex thing may kick in sometimes ) ... and wouldn't expect it from you. How do people know you are uncomfortable unless you let them know?
I think it may have come from a religous place originally but is now passed on in the same way as please and thank you as a courtesy ... whether that be right or wrong.
There are many sayings that are still used that don't necessarily have their original meaning but our said out of habit/tradition.
Gimli 1993
Fargo 2003
Winnipeg 2005
Winnipeg 2011
St. Paul 2014
Now this has turned into something else, something that should be addressed in a more serious thread, as the turn this has taken, with any serious comments, the next response just garners indifference. People can't seem to grasp it's more about simple manners. And that they made it into more than that. They want to have it both ways.
are we on a moving train??
Mansfield, MA - Jul 02, 2003; Mansfield, MA - Jul 03, 2003; Mansfield, MA - Jul 11, 2003; Boston, MA - Sep 29, 2004; Reading, PA - Oct 01, 2004; Hartford, CT - May 13, 2006; Boston, MA - May 24, 2006; Boston, MA - May 25, 2006; Hartford, CT - Jun 27, 2008; Mansfield, MA - Jun 28, 2008; Mansfield, MA - June 30, 2008; Hartford, CT - May 15, 2010; Boston, MA - May 17, 2010; [EV - Providence, RI - June 15, 2011; EV - Hartford, CT - June 18, 2011]; Worcester, MA - Oct. 15, 2013; Worcester, MA - Oct. 16, 2013; Hartford, CT - Oct. 25, 2013; Boston, MA - August 5, 2016; Boston, MA - August 7, 2016...
Now this has turned into something else, something that should be addressed in a more serious thread, as the turn this has taken, with any serious comments, the next response just garners indifference. People can't seem to grasp it's more about simple manners. And that they made it into more than that. They want to have it both ways.
are we on a moving train??
Gimli 1993
Fargo 2003
Winnipeg 2005
Winnipeg 2011
St. Paul 2014
found this thread just now by going back a bit in time.
some of you people are... (not gonna say it because im trying to be nice)
how can something such as "bless you" or "god bless you" bug the fuck out of you?
what a bunch of babies.
next time you sneeze maybe someone should kick you in the crotch or the teeth.
found this thread just now by going back a bit in time.
some of you people are... (not gonna say it because im trying to be nice)
how can something such as "bless you" or "god bless you" bug the fuck out of you?
what a bunch of babies. next time you sneeze maybe someone should kick you in the crotch or the teeth.
Yes, because that is exactly the same thing.
I think I will start saying Allah Akbar after a sneeze.
now that i read most of this thread, i am surprised by all the cry baby bullshit some of you spew.
shut your fucking mouths and take the god damn blessings.
some of you fuckers are way out of your minds.
someone trys to be polite to you and you feel uneasy about it?
that is weird as fuck in my book.
some of y'all need a black eye.
Comments
You had the same thought I had.
Additional info:
Bless you
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the song by Martha & the Vandellas, see Bless You (song).
Bless you, or God bless you, is a common English expression addressed to a person after they sneeze. The origin of the custom and its original purpose are unknown.
An alternative response to sneezing is the German and Yiddish word Gesundheit.
[edit]Origins and legends
Several possible origins are commonly given. The practice of blessing a sneeze, dating as far back as at least 77 AD, however, is far older than most specific explanations can account for.[1]
One explanation holds that the custom originally began as an actual blessing. Gregory I became Pope in 590 AD as an outbreak of the bubonic plague was reaching Rome. In hopes of fighting off the disease, he ordered unending prayer and parades of chanters through the streets. At the time, sneezing was thought to be an early symptom of the plague. The blessing ("God bless you!") became a common effort to halt the disease.[2]
A variant of the Pope Gregory I story places it with Pope Gregory VII, then tells the common story of "Ring Around the Rosey" being connected to the same plague.[3]
A legend holds that it was believed that the heart stops beating and the phrase "bless you" is meant to ensure the return of life or to encourage your heart to continue beating.[1][2][4]
Another version says that people used to believe that your soul can be thrown from your body when you sneeze,[1] that sneezing otherwise opened your body to invasion by the Devil[2] or evil spirits,[4] or that sneezing was your body's effort to force out an invading evil spirit.[1] Thus, "bless you" or "God bless you" is used as a sort of shield against evil.
Alternatively, it may be possible that the phrase began simply as a response for an event that was not well understood at the time.[1]
Another belief is that people used to see sneezing as a sign that God would answer your prayers[3] or an omen of good fortune or good luck.[1] In this case, "Bless you" would be in recognition of that luck.
Tibetan Buddhists believe a sneeze (like meditation, falling asleep, preparing to die) can provide a moment of "clear consciousness," when people are opened to greater understanding.[5]
and we say a 4 number for see who is thinking of you
"..That's One Happy Fuckin Ghost.."
“..That came up on the Pillow Case...This is for the Greek, With Our Apologies.....”
Fargo 2003
Winnipeg 2005
Winnipeg 2011
St. Paul 2014
I'm pretty much faithLESS to tell you the truth and was trying to be diplomatic when I asked you if you could see how the topic may have evolved like it has. I promise I'm not yelling at my screen in a crimson rage, I'm just confused as to why something like 'Bless you' need ever be questioned because of the religious inference, and why that should ever make you uncomfortable.
I've taken a step back, and what it is, or at least what it became was a platform for accusations that such well-meant gestures are in fact a selfish means for people of faith to impose thier doctrines on others,....it is exactly what I feared it would be. Now I appreciate you may not have intended it to be so, and I have apologised for suggesting otherwise if it was accidental, but this is what it turned out to be.
when I sneeze: someone says (God) Bless You, which to me is a religious custom, and it forces me through social obligation to say thank you to the person for doing something for me that I don't believe in
when someone else sneezes: they expect me to bless them, or I feel they do, which then causes me a little (albeit: minute) uncomfortability because I then feel as though they might think I'm a rude sunuvabitch
now, whether someone else takes the saying literally or if they don't find it to be religious is moot. I DO. And I'm not religious. When I was religious, I would also take offense to people wearing crosses around their necks and such for nothing other than cosmetics. My best friend didn't believe in God, and I kind of freaked on him for wearing a cross around his neck because he "liked it". It offended me as a Christian.
I have never once been rude and told someone I didn't want to bless them, nor have I ever said to anyone that I would appreciate if they kept their blessing to themselves. I am not offended, as I know most people say it out of nothing more than polite habit, like "thank you" or "you're welcome". We are programmed as kids to do so. I am not anti-god or anti-religion, I just simply don't like it. End of story.
Fargo 2003
Winnipeg 2005
Winnipeg 2011
St. Paul 2014
So it has nothing to do with religion…..How do you feel about the other things we are taught ( programmed) as children…like Thank you, Please, Excuse me, or good manners in general?
Amen!
Oops!
...are those who've helped us.
Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
Fargo 2003
Winnipeg 2005
Winnipeg 2011
St. Paul 2014
I completely disagree and think that your attitude is the centrist, selfish one. Let's say I believe in God and praying and you don't. The way I express concern or put good vibes out into the world or wish people well is to pray for them. That's ME living MY life in accordance with MY beliefs. You don't have to believe in God or prayer for me to pray for you and my praying for you in no way assumes that you do, puts my beliefs as central, or imposes those beliefs onto you. I am not asking you to believe what I believe; I'm merely telling you the manner in which I send people good vibes. For you to insist that my manner of sending good vibes is congruent with your own is not a neutral position, but rather you imposing your beliefs onto me. What is neutral is for me to live my life in my way and you to live your life in yours. As long as I'm not telling you pray or believe what I believe, there shouldn't be a problem. Your assumption that people living their own lives according to their own beliefs presuppose that others share their beliefs and is therefore centric and selfish is mistaken. My praying for you does not in any way assume that you are like me.
And I don't think this is analogous to a Christian telling a Muslim that Jesus loves him and is watching out for him. If this belief is stated as absolute fact instead of as a belief, that does disregard the beliefs of others. But telling someone what you, personally, plan to do on your own (pray) is not the same as stating your beliefs as absolute fact.
ETA: People often pray for other people who they care about and are worried about. They would like to be able to do something for their loved one but they can't - all they can do is pray. If praying helps alleviate their sense of helplessness to protect the people they love, I don't think anyone has a right to try to take that away from them.
The topic evoked exactly the kind of responses I thought it would and I dont think they're ever helpful,...I simply don't like them. End of story.
In other news,....SCB talks my kind of sense.
it takes about 5 seconds for them to say it and it's not like it has ever been the prelude to a conversation about god. it just doesn't affect me.
"With our thoughts we make the world"
'goddamn you'
or
'blessed art thou'
depending on the situation.
either way its a fuck you to religion.
but its not on me.
the person doing the deed, its on them, yeah?.
I'm with you on this.
I read something many moons ago that said the origins of saying 'Bless you!' stem from Puritans in the 17th century believing that all bodily functions were ungodly and needed to be blessed, so anytime someone coughed, or sneezed they needed to be blessed to shoo away the evil spirits or something. Freaks!
a little more kindness in our lives couldn't hurt.
just my thought on it.
Godfather.
just like you have gut feelings about God, I have gut feelings that go in a different direction. I don't get why that's so difficult for some to comprehend.
Fargo 2003
Winnipeg 2005
Winnipeg 2011
St. Paul 2014
let me just say that I find it oddly hypocritical that some religious people seem to be so passe about this. I do my utmost BEST not to say or do things around people who I know are of faith that I think might make them uncomfortable. Is it too much to ask the same of you people?
I guess I was naive thinking this could stay light hearted. :roll:
Fargo 2003
Winnipeg 2005
Winnipeg 2011
St. Paul 2014
The thing is that the majority of people who may say 'bless you' when one sneezes don't even make the 'religious' connection. It's a phrase that has entered the common language, a convention. Same as Italian men touching their balls to ward off bad luck - doesn't mean anything really - just a habit.
All this is being taken a bit too seriously!
I'd be just as uncomfortable as you if they weaved scripture into the conversation every other breath, but I don't think ANYONE says 'Bless you' with Christianity in mind.
Therefore, yes. It probably is a bit too much of an ask to expect them police the meaningless pleasantries that we all use without thinking. It is not the same as us trying not to unnecessarily insult something that they've shaped their entire existence around.
The thing is a few people who have posted in here have said they are agnostic and say 'bless you' ... I know I was taught (by again agnostic parents) that it was the polite thing to do and I have admitted it is a reflex ... so I'm not sure who you are referring to as 'you people'.
People aren't saying it to make you uncomfortable ... and I'm sure if you pointed out to people around you it is making you uncomfortable they would try not to do it (although the reflex thing may kick in sometimes
I think it may have come from a religous place originally but is now passed on in the same way as please and thank you as a courtesy ... whether that be right or wrong.
There are many sayings that are still used that don't necessarily have their original meaning but our said out of habit/tradition.
People wouldn't know, as I wouldn't bother making it known for obvious trivial reasons. It would be ridiculous to say to someone "please don't bless me, it makes me uncomfortable". My original point was that I don't say it, I don't give a shit if other people say it. Uncomfortable is the wrong word, really, as it doesn't accurately portray the feeling. It makes it more than it is.
Now this has turned into something else, something that should be addressed in a more serious thread, as the turn this has taken, with any serious comments, the next response just garners indifference. People can't seem to grasp it's more about simple manners. And that they made it into more than that. They want to have it both ways.
Fargo 2003
Winnipeg 2005
Winnipeg 2011
St. Paul 2014
are we on a moving train??
Fargo 2003
Winnipeg 2005
Winnipeg 2011
St. Paul 2014
Fargo 2003
Winnipeg 2005
Winnipeg 2011
St. Paul 2014
some of you people are... (not gonna say it because im trying to be nice)
how can something such as "bless you" or "god bless you" bug the fuck out of you?
what a bunch of babies.
next time you sneeze maybe someone should kick you in the crotch or the teeth.
"Hear me, my chiefs!
I am tired; my heart is
sick and sad. From where
the sun stands I will fight
no more forever."
Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
Yes, because that is exactly the same thing.
I think I will start saying Allah Akbar after a sneeze.
I know that Turks say "Tsok yasa" but I don't know what that means.
shut your fucking mouths and take the god damn blessings.
some of you fuckers are way out of your minds.
someone trys to be polite to you and you feel uneasy about it?
that is weird as fuck in my book.
some of y'all need a black eye.
CRY BABIES
PUSSIES
take your pick
"Hear me, my chiefs!
I am tired; my heart is
sick and sad. From where
the sun stands I will fight
no more forever."
Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
Godfather.