(June 26, 2013 at 7:06 am)Brian37 Wrote: I don't get my panties in a bunch if I hear someone say "bless you" it to someone else, but for me personally, it is rude once you know I prefer you not respond that way to me. It would be like offering a Jewish friend pork. That is your thing, not mine.
When I sneeze if you insist on expressing concern simply say "Are you ok". That is the atheist "bless you". But people who use it have to know it's literal superstitious roots. You can say it is watered down now but that does not change the fact that when originally used people literally thought that if they did not invoke a blessing from god on you when you sneezed, your soul could escape out of your body.
Exactly. Not too many people know about the roots of this saying. If christians knew about the pagan origin they'd stop using it. But then again, they do celebrate "Easter". I say nothing when people sneeze. I usually don't want to open my mouth so soon following such a potentially harmful atmospheric release. I usually distance myself from the one who sneezes.
