I say it out of habit simply because it was what I was taught to do. However, I am working on not saying it. I also don’t agree with following the traditions of men. I researched the history on the phrase as well. Besides, I’m not a follower of men and try to live only as a follower of Jesus Christ .
The thing is, we’re all taught many things while growing in life. We all were born with free will. We have the freedom to choose, no doubt. As we mature, what we must do is seek and search out matters for ourselves to determine if the things we were taught coincides with Almighty God’s will, His plans , and His purpose.
I find that many people stay stuck on most things that they were taught, even if something turns out to be incorrect, which is not a good habit to practice. We’re all imperfect and no one owns the manual to raising and teaching children the perfect way, simply because it doesn’t exist. That’s the reason learning is forever and never stops. We all can be taught something new the correct way and learn that some things, if not a whole lot of things, weren’t taught to us correctly because those that taught us had to learn from someone else themselves. Just because we’re taught certain things doesn’t make the idea behind it and/or the manner in which they were taught right.
I also find that many people may feel some things that men may make up are done to mean well and will continue to practice doing or reciting whatever it is. That’s all great and dandy, but to continue a practice based on personal feelings and not based on whether it’s considered right or wrong to do so doesn’t count as anything good for ourselves. This is how we mislead ourselves into thinking that many of the choices we make in life are okay just because we FEEL they are okay.
If that’s the case, then all the wicked and evil ones and those that don’t belong would make it pass the heavenly gates. Jesus would ask, “Do you FEEL you deserve another chance to live forever and to do right?” Wicked and evil aren’t interested in doing right and are only interested in issuing out wickedness, evilness, and causing disruption of anything good that leads to their favorite thing, destruction! Of course they would answer “Yes” to the question. And all over again, all goodness would become contaminated!
Overall and although “Bless you” was coined as a nice gesture, it is still a practice created by a man of imperfection. Not to mention, men cannot guarantee that blessings be given, carried out, and fulfilled. Hope doesn’t count as surety. Only Almighty God Jehovah can guarantee promises and swear any and all things to be true, with it being that the only hope we can count on is the hope that He gives us. Besides, God’s ways doesn’t work based on feelings and preferences of humankind. Continuing on in life with such practices id essentially following and putting the teachings of men before Almighty God, at which I’m not in agreement with. Therefore, I’m working on it and working on a way to explain to others the reason to refrain from continuing on with the practice to say “Bless you”.
Yes, I do say “bless you” when someone sneezes only due to the fact that it’s polite and growing up it’s just something I have always done.
I’m that exact same way, lol.
Ohh, no someone sneezes i should bless them now for Spreading germs around Can Contamination the air im Suppose to breathe. Why? Dud they do something good for me to bless them?, no i don’t say that. I used when i didn’t know any better. Now i know and understand the seriousness of blessings!!
Nice answer David!
Yes I do purely for the fact I was taught it was polite.
Totally get it, Catherine!
I hear you Kimberley, and I get it. I just question things that almost everyone does the same. I have a need to know why lol