Christopher Hitchens Dead (dec 15, 2011)

Hmmm...A little surprised at how many people didn't know who Hitchens was.

If someone says "bless you" when I sneeze, I acknowledge their concern and get on with my life. I do not reply with a "thank you" because I did not wish to be "blessed" in the first place. I do agree that saying "bless you" (or anything else for that matter) is absolutely silly and pointless, aside from letting the person know you are concerned (which can probably be implied without saying anything anyways). If you wish to waste your breath to wish blessings upon others, do not EXPECT them to reply. Do not think less of them for not replying.

I liked the old term for "bless you" when you sneezed.

I think too many are overanalyzing the whole sneeze thing.
It's as simple as a phrase of common courtesy for what would otherwise be awkward and disgusting.
It matters not whether they are falling ill or had irritation in their nasals. Simple fact of the matter is, it's something commonly said in context of pardoning said person.

This ^

The term bless you has very little religious connotation anymore and is akin to other terms like calling someone a ***. How many people actually mean the literal definition of the word when they evoke it upon someone else?

If you don't mean what you say, why say it?

Of course people say ***that they don't mean. Does that make it right? Does this excuse us from being ignorant? No.

To people that are saying, "it's just a way to acknowledge a sneeze!" get used to it. More people than ever are sick of the influence of religion on our lives, from the more important aspects down to the nit picky "bless you."

I agree with your teacher, Crystalchan. This is not just the Christmas season. It is a holiday season. There are people who celebrate Christmas, Chanukah, [insert silly belief here], and those that understand that nothing special happened on that day. By wishing a "Merry Christmas" you're excluding everyone else that thinks differently than you. This may work in your old fashioned Christian neighborhood but some people, religious or not, actually care about their beliefs/non-beliefs. People become offended when something they deem important is excluded and ridiculed, which may not have been your intention but that's not how the offended party sees it. Granted I personally could care less if someone is offended, but as your teacher is in a professional position they needed to 1) cover their own *** and 2) try to minimize exclusion as much as possible.

I can't believe there is an argument over saying "Bless you!" You catch more flies with honey than vinegar. I think Flav already covered that though.

God bless Yuriki's spirit!

You've been practicing your Snoopy dance, right?

/sings

Hark! The herald angels siiiiing;
Glory to the newborn king!
Peace on Earth, mercy mild...

Everyone knows that I'm not religious, but the anti-religious movement is getting kinda ridiculous.. On certain channels and shows they actually bleep out stuff like "Oh my God" or "Jesus Christ".. The first time I saw it a year or two ago I was confused, I was trying to figure out what new cuss word was 5 letters long and started with a J.. Ever since then I've seen it usually at least every other day.

Some dude dies and you guys fight over sneezes. You all need to eat some cookies and ham and stop being a scrooge. :S

I have to ask, do you guys punch those Salvation Army bell ringers when they wish you 'Merry Christmas?'

I go in the side doors or through the gardening center or something so I can all together avoid them <_<

I try to do the same. I never have cash on me, so I feel kind of awkward when they engage. If I donate, it's when I come out of the store when I remember to get a little cash.

I was just thinking. Do you celebrate Christmas, Yuriki? Or any other holiday with religious significance? Because I smell hypocrite.

religious significance? huh? o.O

Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus. Is that not significant to Christianity?

I'm an atheist and I LOVE christmas. I love the lights and the music, I love everything about it.

Goooooooooooooooooooooooooo christmas!

I heard his a name a few times didn't really know who he was. For awhile today I actually had him confused with someone else, who I can't remember now, lol.

Spence is right! Sorry, but if an atheist celebrates Christmas you're not really sticking to your guns, are you? I mean...It's the same "cherry picking" you accuse religious people of doing. Just saying...

(No offense Spart, Xueye, Chaos, and a handful of others.)

Not really the point I was trying to make. I'm fine with them celebrating Christmas, just not Yuriki. Only because he's so adamantly against religion.

If he gets his panties in a knot over someone saying 'Bless you', at least be consistent. I'm curious to see what he says.

Dawkins? I liked Hitchens more than Dawkins.

Do you give presents on christmas? What does that have to do with Jesus?
Do you like to spend time with your family during christmas? What does that have to do with Jesus?
Do you put up a tree in your house? What does that have to do with Jesus?
Do you put lights up on the outside of your house? What does that have to do with Jesus?
Do you have kids, do you do the "santa thing" with them? What does that have to do with Jesus?


I'm sorry if it makes you a sad panda, but all the things that define christmas have pretty much nothing to do with christianity. In my house we have a tree, we put up lights, we spend time with family, and every christmas morning my kids open up presents that santa brought for them without a 2nd thought for some guy that probably never even existed 2000 years ago.


These days, christmas is about as secular is it gets.

Understood. I honestly don't care. I just wonder how some legitimize it to themselves. Kind of why I left off a few people.

EDIT: Already did this song and dance on another thread anyway.

/shrug

I understood your point, but you misunderstood mine. I suppose I should mention all my comments are directed towards Yuriki.

A Turkish monk named Saint Nicholas who gave out gifts of money and food to poor children and families. So, you're repeating the act of a Christain saint.


Nothing. :)


German practice from the Odenwald for Oden's birthday, which was adapted into a Christian one well after the Roman occupation, and conversion of Pagan Germans.


Adaptation of Saint Nicholas that has evolved.

Yeah that guy lol. Isn't he a physicist?

Nothing. This was adapted from pagan tree worshiping.

***! Who am I thinking of then?!? Why are your brain farts rubbing off on me? >:(

Never mind Zahrah covered most of it. Except the presents part.

See Saturnalia