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Author Topic: Post-Sneeze Blessings  (Read 1057 times)

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Offline BTNYC

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Post-Sneeze Blessings
« on: February 21, 2014, 01:43:55 PM »
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    • I hate this practice.

    Its origins are firmly rooted in superstitions about sneezes as omens of death or portals for demonic possesion. It persists today merely through strength of habit. I can't be the only one here who sees a "blessing" given solely for reasons of ettiquette and superstition as a bad thing, can I?

    That's why I don't want to say "God bless you" after someone sneezes... I don't want to hear "God bless you" after I sneeze because I have no desire to be "blessed" by heretics, Jєωs, pagans, apostates or atheists... And, let's face it, when you sneeze outside your own home, you're overwhelmingly likely to be "blessed" by one of these.

    And, speaking as a lifelong serial sneezer, I would hasten to add that there is nothing more annoying than having to force out numerous "thank yous" between each sneeze during a particularly violent episode.

    But that last selfish note aside, I do think this is a pretty serious abuse of the invocation of God's Holy Name for blessings. I ask anyone who still practices this nearly ubiquitous abuse to consider this the next time a coworker's upper respiratiory system's overreaction to pollen or cat dander causes a reflexive urge to impart a blessing meant to prevent that person's soul from escaping through his nose.
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    Offline Mithrandylan

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    Post-Sneeze Blessings
    « Reply #1 on: February 21, 2014, 01:48:41 PM »
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    • I thought it originated during the plague and people literally said God bless you because a sneeze could be deadly.
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    "Be kind; do not seek the malicious satisfaction of having discovered an additional enemy to the Church... And, above all, be scrupulously truthful. To all, friends and foes alike, give that serious attention which does not misrepresent any opinion, does not distort any statement, does not mutilate any quotation. We need not fear to serve the cause of Christ less efficiently by putting on His spirit". (Vermeersch, 1913).

    Offline Cantarella

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    Post-Sneeze Blessings
    « Reply #2 on: February 21, 2014, 02:13:26 PM »
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    • How interesting! Never thought of it, but you have a point.
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    Online Nadir

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    Post-Sneeze Blessings
    « Reply #3 on: February 21, 2014, 10:02:35 PM »
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    • Quote from: BTNYC
    I hate this practice.


    Even when it is used as a genuine and sincere blessing? I do hope you will recover from your serial sneezing soon!

    May God bless you!
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    Offline clare

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    Post-Sneeze Blessings
    « Reply #4 on: February 23, 2014, 06:43:08 AM »
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    • Quote from: BTNYC
    ... I don't want to hear "God bless you" after I sneeze because I have no desire to be "blessed" by heretics, Jєωs, pagans, apostates or atheists... And, let's face it, when you sneeze outside your own home, you're overwhelmingly likely to be "blessed" by one of these...

    That attitude seems a bit superstitious in itself.

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    ... I do think this is a pretty serious abuse of the invocation of God's Holy Name for blessings...

    In my experience, people don't say "God bless you." They say simply, "Bless you."
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    Offline 2Vermont

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    Post-Sneeze Blessings
    « Reply #5 on: February 23, 2014, 08:21:12 AM »
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    • Quote from: clare
    Quote from: BTNYC
    ... I don't want to hear "God bless you" after I sneeze because I have no desire to be "blessed" by heretics, Jєωs, pagans, apostates or atheists... And, let's face it, when you sneeze outside your own home, you're overwhelmingly likely to be "blessed" by one of these...

    That attitude seems a bit superstitious in itself.

    Quote
    ... I do think this is a pretty serious abuse of the invocation of God's Holy Name for blessings...

    In my experience, people don't say "God bless you." They say simply, "Bless you."


    Yes, and if I had my druthers I'd rather hear "God Bless You" than "Bless You".
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    For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders, insomuch as to deceive (if possible) even the elect. (Matthew 24:24)

    Offline BTNYC

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    Post-Sneeze Blessings
    « Reply #6 on: February 24, 2014, 11:04:17 AM »
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    • Quote from: clare
    Quote from: BTNYC
    ... I don't want to hear "God bless you" after I sneeze because I have no desire to be "blessed" by heretics, Jєωs, pagans, apostates or atheists... And, let's face it, when you sneeze outside your own home, you're overwhelmingly likely to be "blessed" by one of these...

    That attitude seems a bit superstitious in itself.
    quote]

    How so? I have no desire to be blessed by a someone who adores false gods. I also don't eart Halal meat. Is that also "superstitious" of me?

    Quote from: clare

    In my experience, people don't say "God bless you." They say simply, "Bless you."


    Meaning what? That God is not invoked for the blessing? Then who is? Buddha? Shiva? The "blesser" himself? In each of those cases, I would have to say "Thanks but no thanks."
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    Offline BTNYC

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    Post-Sneeze Blessings
    « Reply #7 on: February 24, 2014, 11:09:27 AM »
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    • Quote from: Nadir
    Quote from: BTNYC
    I hate this practice.


    Even when it is used as a genuine and sincere blessing? I do hope you will recover from your serial sneezing soon!

    May God bless you!


    If it is a genuine and sincere blessing, it would: A. Come from a person whose Faith makes the blessing efficacious (i.e. faithful Catholic) and B. Not be motivated by superstitious social obligation. Otherwise, why not bless me when I cough or hiccup?

    Thank you for your blessing and well wishes. But I would rather keep my serial sneezing as it gives me something (however small) to offer up to God.
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    Offline BTNYC

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    Post-Sneeze Blessings
    « Reply #8 on: February 24, 2014, 11:15:47 AM »
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    • Quote from: Mithrandylan
    I thought it originated during the plague and people literally said God bless you because a sneeze could be deadly.


    Perhaps. It's one of several origins I've heard. But it is clearly no longer the motivation today.

    And to the down-thumbers... Instead of being ruffled by my post because you and everyone you know says some variant of "God Bless you" when someone sneezes, why not just correct my apparent error and defend this apparently venerable, non-superstitious practice? Or stop to consider that maybe there's some truth in what I say?

    My interest here is in not trivializing the practice of blessing by reducing it to ettiquette or (worse) superstition). If that deserves such disdain, it also deserves some explanation for that disdain.
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    Offline BTNYC

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    Post-Sneeze Blessings
    « Reply #9 on: February 24, 2014, 11:17:34 AM »
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    • Quote from: 2Vermont
    Quote from: clare
    Quote from: BTNYC
    ... I don't want to hear "God bless you" after I sneeze because I have no desire to be "blessed" by heretics, Jєωs, pagans, apostates or atheists... And, let's face it, when you sneeze outside your own home, you're overwhelmingly likely to be "blessed" by one of these...

    That attitude seems a bit superstitious in itself.

    Quote
    ... I do think this is a pretty serious abuse of the invocation of God's Holy Name for blessings...

    In my experience, people don't say "God bless you." They say simply, "Bless you."


    Yes, and if I had my druthers I'd rather hear "God Bless You" than "Bless You".


    Exactly.

    I'd rather hear "God bless you." And from someone who believes in the Triune God. And for reasons not motivated by social ettiquette.

    I don't see what's so wrong with that.
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