Saying "God Bless You"?

[Ricky_C]

(apologies if this is in the wrong forum)

I noticed recently that when I say “bless you” after someone sneezes, it’s a formality to say that, and I don’t give much thought into what I say when I do. I don’t consciously ask God to bless the person, I’m just responding to a sneeze. It feels wrong to turn this phrase, which is supposed to be a petition to God to bless a person, into something we just say when someone sneezes.

Ideally, I’d say it and mean what I say, but I’m not sure what the purpose would be (I think the traditional purpose had something to do with people thinking sneezing opened a person’s soul to possession or something along those lines, but I could be completely wrong); so I’ve started trying to say ‘gesundheit’ more instead of ‘God bless you’ so as to not misuse the phrase. Is it wrong to say “bless you” as a formality?

 

[oneofmany]

From what I read I think it started when people learned that when we sneeze our heart stops for a second so we ask God to bless the person to be safe. Some people say it and some don’t. My hubby does and I don’t. I think it’s just what we learn as we grow up. The heart stopping isn’t thought about anymore though as far as I know. It’s just done. like you said, as a reaction.

 

[agnes_therese]

Why not continue to say it, and do ask God to bless them? It’s not like people already have too much of that in their lives.

 

[pianistclare]

Why not continue to say it, and do ask God to bless them? It’s not like people already have too much of that in their lives.

This is what I was thinking. It’s kind of an easy fix. Offer blessings.
Always a good thing. Words have meaning. Just mean what you say!
God bless YOU!

 

[tawny]

Why not continue to say it, and do ask God to bless them? It’s not like people already have too much of that in their lives.

Exactly.

 

[Memaw]

From what I read I think it started when people learned that when we sneeze our heart stops for a second so we ask God to bless the person to be safe. Some people say it and some don’t. My hubby does and I don’t. I think it’s just what we learn as we grow up. The heart stopping isn’t thought about anymore though as far as I know. It’s just done. like you said, as a reaction.

I understand it started during the Bubonic Plague as some were so sick even a sneeze could cause their heart to stop. I think it started in Germany. I still say it, even if I say it automatically as I still mean it. God Bless, Memaw

 

[puzzledtoo]

Hello,
Why would it ever be wrong to say bless you to anyone? If you say god bless you you are asking god to do so. If you simply say bless you you are showing the person that you care enough to send them blessings.
It’s kind of like smiling at someone on the street or in a store. You may be the only person to smile at the person all day long. The same with saying thank you or you’re welcome. I’m usually quite surprised when someone holds a door open for me. I don’t make a big deal whether someone does or doesn’t but if they do I’m sure to say thank you and smile. They cared enough about me(total stranger) to take that little bit of time out of their life just for me. Blessings to all.

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

In today’s polarized, overheated and Politically Correct environment, such a simple traditional custom could easily be regarded as religiously intolerant, proselytizing, micro-aggressive, and unwelcome, especially in the workplace. Unless it’s a family member, I just let 'em sneeze now.

 

[Micosil]

In today’s polarized, overheated and Politically Correct environment, such a simple traditional custom could easily be regarded as religiously intolerant, proselytizing, micro-aggressive, and unwelcome, especially in the workplace. Unless it’s a family member, I just let 'em sneeze now.

The common thing to say in Spain is “Jesús”, and though Spain definitely has secularized over the years, no-one seems to mind.

 

[brigid12]

In today’s polarized, overheated and Politically Correct environment, such a simple traditional custom could easily be regarded as religiously intolerant, proselytizing, micro-aggressive, and unwelcome, especially in the workplace. Unless it’s a family member, I just let 'em sneeze now.

Interesting that you’ve seen problems. In my own experience, there has never been problems even with the most secular people.