Silver Surfer
Veteran
Where did that saying come from?
"God Bless You"...after sneezing
- Thread starter Silver Surfer
- Start date
Where did that saying come from?
QamYasharahla
All Star
From what I heard a long time ago, your heart stops for a short amount of time, so they say that so you won't die or something to that effect.
Silver Surfer
Veteran
There are varying accounts as to the origin of this response. One belief is that it originated in Rome when the bubonic plague was raging through Europe. One of the symptoms of the plague was coughing and sneezing, and it is believed that Pope Gregory VII suggested saying “God bless you” after a person sneezed in hopes that this prayer would protect them from an otherwise certain death.
The expression may have also originated from superstition. Some people believe that the custom of asking for God’s blessing began when ancient man thought that the soul was in the form of air and resided in the body’s head. A sneeze, therefore, might accidentally expel the spirit from the body unless God blessed you and prevented this from occurring. Some ancient cultures also thought that sneezing forced evil spirits out of the body endangering others because these spirits might now enter their bodies. The blessing was bestowed to protect both the person sneezed and others around him.
The expression may have also originated from superstition. Some people believe that the custom of asking for God’s blessing began when ancient man thought that the soul was in the form of air and resided in the body’s head. A sneeze, therefore, might accidentally expel the spirit from the body unless God blessed you and prevented this from occurring. Some ancient cultures also thought that sneezing forced evil spirits out of the body endangering others because these spirits might now enter their bodies. The blessing was bestowed to protect both the person sneezed and others around him.
We say thank you.What do atheists say when people tell them that?
I don't believe in God or religion, but I understand that people saying "God Bless You" after a sneeze is like 99% a reflex/custom, and is generally done as a courtesy.
edit - usually I'll just say "salud" when someone sneezes tho
What do atheists say when people tell them that?
Nothing. Same as Christians. Or 'thanks'. Same as Christians.
Vonte3000
Chance 3 :wow: :blessed:
There are some who throw a fit when you tell them Merry Christmas
Happened to me once
CurrencyChase
Banned
Heard it had to do with the plaque back in Europe.
Silver Surfer
Veteran
my co-worker says "gazoontite"
I be like
"thanks"
I be like
"thanks"
Meh, all my family is religious and we still celebrate Christmas.
I love the holiday season. I really don't get worked up over the religious aspect of it.
I just look at it as a time of year to appreciate one another.
If someone says Merry Christmas and you get upset, you're not some Theology expert.
You're an a$$hole.
Dak Pickscott
Shout out to Dallas my bih is a star
Bout to quit saying that shyt. Ppl don't say thank you or nothing
I simply say bless you. Since my HS was 70% hispanic, I reflexively say "salud" to spanish/spanglish speakers. Feels awkward though.
Paradise
Too tired to think of something witty to say...
I know this lady that is atheist and she says "Damn your good looking" instead of "God bless you."What do atheists say when people tell them that?
