bless you!!

[erin-x]

I was pondering this today while having a sneezing fit..

From my (very) brief ventures into R+S I know that there are quite a few atheists on AB. My question is... If you are a proper atheist, do you say bless you when someone sneezes?



P.S. Don't take this thread too seriously.. It's in Chatterbank for a reason! ;-) x

[gness]

Never thought of it Erin but yes i do. Might have to change it to.....curse you?

[sherrardk]

I am not an atheist but I don't believe in anything 'godly' and I say bless you when someone sneezes.

[boxtops]

Yes, I do - it's like not putting your shoes on the table, it's turned into a sort of ritual superstition rather than a religious comment.

[Maydup]

I do say Bless You but I don't mean it! Whats the non-religious alternative anyone?

[sherrardk]

It's only new shoes isn't it? I am a bit superstitious, doesn't cost anything to say it (just to be on the safe side).

[ummmm]

I don't believe in God and say 'bless you'. I also say 'Oh for gods sake' quite a lot.

[Ann]

http://voices.yahoo.c...bless-you-678920.html

Fascinating facts on why we say it!

[erin-x]

Maybe keep 'curse you' just for a select few? Lol!

You should just say Gesundheit!! :-)

[erin-x]

I don't know what I am tbh... I say bless you and take the Lord's name in vain all the time.

[Ann]

Didn't realise it started in year 77AD !!!

[gness]

Curse you can be said in so many tones. Try it....deep and evil, high and chirpy, slow and sexy. :-)

[sherrardk]

What I want to know is how do 'they' know it started in 77ad?

[Ann]

A lot of actors on TV, presenters and public figures as well as ordinary folk around us often say or write "God bless" usually in a caring way.

[Ann]

Yes I wondered that Sherrard - Maybe they found it inscribed in the tombs or pyramids ...........

[erin-x]

"God bless us, every one!"

Reminds me of Tiny Tim!! Lol!

[marval]

I use to work with a JW, I always used to say bless you. She used to get very cross and say, only God can bless you.

[quinie]

If it's a family or a friend sneezing I start off "One's a wish,two's a kiss,three's a disappointment etc,etc.

[mike11111]

When anything excessively twee or cute is shown you will often hear the expression, "Ah, Bless!"

[Ann]

Yes that expression catches on - I used to hate "Ah bless" if a child did something cute, but I find myself saying it now ............. must be old age setting in ....

[mike11111]

The origin of the term lies in the invocation of God's blessing upon simpletons. Similarly the phrase;"It's wicked to mock the afflicted".