Saying (God) Bless You: I don't do it

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  • TriumphantAngel
    TriumphantAngel Posts: 1,760
    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.
  • markin ball
    markin ball Posts: 1,076
    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 ."

    "With our thoughts we make the world"
  • Commy
    Commy Posts: 4,984
    markin ball wrote:
    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'll say


    '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?.
  • Byrnzie
    Byrnzie Posts: 21,037
    Paul David wrote:
    cincybearcat wrote:
    All very silly for a sneeze really. :)

    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!
  • nuffingman
    nuffingman Posts: 3,014
    Byrnzie wrote:
    Paul David wrote:
    cincybearcat wrote:
    All very silly for a sneeze really. :)

    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.
  • Godfather.
    Godfather. Posts: 12,504
    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.
  • Hugh Freaking Dillon
    Hugh Freaking Dillon Posts: 14,010
    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.


    Godfather. wrote:
    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
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    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • Hugh Freaking Dillon
    Hugh Freaking Dillon Posts: 14,010
    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
  • redrock
    redrock Posts: 18,341
    Paul David wrote:
    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.

    All this is being taken a bit too seriously!
  • Eilian
    Eilian Posts: 276
    Paul David wrote:
    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.
  • chime
    chime Posts: 7,839
    Paul David wrote:
    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?
  • Hugh Freaking Dillon
    Hugh Freaking Dillon Posts: 14,010
    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.
    chime wrote:
    Paul David wrote:
    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
  • twisted thoughts
    twisted thoughts Posts: 4,377
    Paul David wrote:

    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...



  • Hugh Freaking Dillon
    Hugh Freaking Dillon Posts: 14,010
    yes, we are.
    twisted thoughts wrote:
    Paul David wrote:

    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
  • Hugh Freaking Dillon
    Hugh Freaking Dillon Posts: 14,010
    NirvanaNevermindalbumcover.jpg

    :lol:
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • chadwick
    chadwick up my ass Posts: 21,157
    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.
    for poetry through the ceiling. ISBN: 1 4241 8840 7

    "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
  • Smellyman
    Smellyman Asia Posts: 4,528
    chadwick wrote:
    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.
  • AELARA
    AELARA Posts: 803
    In Greece we say wishes for good health.
    I know that Turks say "Tsok yasa" but I don't know what that means.
    I am mine!
  • chadwick
    chadwick up my ass Posts: 21,157
    edited December 2010
    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.



    CRY BABIES
    PUSSIES
    take your pick
    Post edited by chadwick on
    for poetry through the ceiling. ISBN: 1 4241 8840 7

    "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.
    Godfather. Posts: 12,504
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVMwrd20 ... re=related

    Godfather.
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