Why do you say "Bless you" or "God bless you" when somebody sneezes?

1. 95

   Robie Benveposted 11 years ago

   Why do you say "Bless you" or "God bless you" when somebody sneezes?
   
   My children asked me, and I was not sure what to say. What's your opinion about saying "bless you" for sneezes?

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2. 83

   Attikosposted 11 years ago

   Keep it up. It's a delightful custom that connects us to our heritage. Children are in dire need of such threads in their lives, whether or not they understand them at this stage.
   
   The idea was that sneezing is a way of attempting to expel an evil spirit that has inhabited the body. Wishing a blessing on the sneezer is to help him do it. The tradition predates Christianity.

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3. 76

   Nettlemereposted 11 years ago

   I think it helps cover over the slight embarrassment  of the person having made an unexpected loud noise. I say loud noise because my sneezes are epic. At work everyone in the building knows I've arrived if I sneeze in the car park!

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4. 72

   lburmasterposted 11 years ago

   Historically, the phrase became popular when individuals believed sneezing was the releasing of negative energy or evil spirits from your body. It was a way of saying "may the Lord bless you so you will be healthy". Now I just say it out of reflex and enjoy the historic meaning.

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5. 0

   JThomp42posted 11 years ago

   For the most part, the various sneeze responses originated from ancient superstitions. Some people believed that a sneeze causes the soul to escape the body through the nose. Saying "bless you" would stop the devil from claiming the person's freed soul. Others believed the opposite: that evil spirits use the sneeze as an opportunity to enter a person's body. There was also the misconception that the heart momentarily stops during a sneeze (it doesn't), and that saying "bless you" was a way of welcoming the person back to life.

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   1. 81

      Renee Abbottposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I have a different way of viewing this. To me a sneeze is releasing a wish, and saying God bless you, is in hope of gaining your wish. I like this version, which I did make up.

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   2. 0

      JThomp42posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I'm sorry, but these are facts Renee.

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6. 61

   duffsmomposted 11 years ago

   I have to admit I usually don't say anything as sometimes people get embarrassed when they sneeze, especially at an inopportune time, so I tend to look the other way.

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