hypothetical question for atheists and agnostics

[Polymirize]

you're hanging out with a friend when they sneeze suddenly.

What do you say in order to show social consideration?

Maybe you don't say "god bless you", because you don't believe in the existence of god, but assuming that you do believe in the existence of other people, and have the manners to acknowledge them, what do you say?

Or does the very nature of social curtesy need to be rethought for our post-religious era?

Polymirize Reviewed by Polymirize on 06-12-2006. hypothetical question for atheists and agnostics you're hanging out with a friend when they sneeze suddenly. What do you say in order to show social consideration? Maybe you don't say "god bless you", because you don't believe in the existence of god, but assuming that you do believe in the existence of other people, and have the manners to acknowledge them, what do you say? Or does the very nature of social curtesy need to be rethought for our post-religious era? Rating: 5

[P.E.N.G.U.I.N.]

I don't say anything. The Black Death isn't going around anymore, there's no need.

And yes, social courtesy needs to be rethought!

[Breukelen advocaat]

"Do you need a tissue?"

[birdgirl73]

This situation is precisely why "Salut!" or "Gezundheit!" are superior responses. Seems like a to-your-good-health wish is more appropo anyway.

[graymatter]

Why should we be the ones to express social consideration? They're (the sneezers) the ones that just spewed bacteria in a fine, micro mist that could infect an entire city block...

[willystylle]

you're hanging out with a friend when they sneeze suddenly.

What do you say in order to show social consideration?

Don't bring your diseases near me, you're a waste of oxygen anyway.

[Polymirize]

Don't bring your diseases near me, you're a waste of oxygen anyway.

burn.

[buddha]

If i had a friend sneeze next to me i would say god bless you... Out of courtesy even though i do not belive in god too many people think god is associated with christianty or some other major organized religion. Too me my god is a shiny rock i found when i was 12. And for anyone else god could be money or cows or magic mushrooms whatever. So when i say god bless you im really saying "may my shiny rock bless you"So to answer you question i dont think the term needs to be changed nor does our money or pledge of allegence people just need to stop being so anal about a three letter word.

[beachguy in thongs]

They should start advertising a substitute phrase for God, to be taken subliminally. "God" should be taken as "Whoever the hell gave you the right to walk this Earth."

But, that's a long phrase, so "God" is fine.

[OnionsOfLove]

Language is only a means to communicate. If "lickballs toadcock" was used in the english language to express something societally acceptable, it wouldnt matter what the words "meant" individually... unless society paid specific attention to the double entendre.

On the same note, the word CRINGEWORTHY is a "real" word simply because a person of decent intelligence can tell you what it means. Language is decided by society, not webster. If society understands "god bless you" after a sneeze to mean "i am showing you social consideration" then there is absolutely no religious tones tied to it other than the post-analysis reference to god and the fact that "he" has the power to "bless".

An african tribesman who has had no experience with western civilization (or english) would understand the phrase to mean "i am showing you social consideration" before they would understand it to imply that god has the power to bless.

If youve ever tried to learn a different language, you might notice that their little colloquialisms seem to make no sense. The literal meaning of many phreases is very different from the actual meaning.