"God Bless You"
Below is an illustrative array from the many responses sent in by Brights. Look over the listings and select your favorite(s). A few of these - if to be viewed in a constructive light - would necessitate that a smile or a laugh accompany the verbal delivery.
Note: A contributor's name appears if the suggested reply was a single instance. Absence of a name indicates that multiple suggestions (along much the same lines) were received.
- Thank you!
- Thank you for your kind wishes.
- I appreciate the sentiment.
- Thank you for your good wishes.
- Thanks for your sentiment!
- I appreciate that.
- Salud! (Spanish, “Your health!”)
- Santé (French, "health")
- Gesundheit (note)
- Good health!
- Good health to you, too.
- Thank you - be happy and healthy!
- May Lady Luck bless you and keep you. (John)
- To your health! Peace! (Ed)
- May fortune favor you. (Brian)
- Thank you very much. May you live a blessed life also. (Joseph)
- And you are in my thoughts. (Johnnie)
- Thank you. And may the universe be kind to you too. (Marvin)
- And may nature shine on you, as well! (Tracee)
- And a Bright day to you! (Joe)
- And Nature bless you! (Brian)
- Thank you for your tangible sentiment! (Craig)
- May science illuminate you. (Shelley)
- Your blessing is thanks enough!
- Your blessing is all I want.
- Your own blessing will be fine.
- Why, thank you. Of course, I'm much more appreciative of your blessing. (Richard)
- My thanks for your blessing. (Michael)
- I appreciate the intent!
- Thanks for meaning well! (Ed)
- The blessing is from the doing ( Elizabeth)
- Thanks for being sorry that something got up my nose (Pamela)
- Thanks, but Nature already did.
- Thanks, but Nature beat him to it.
- Thanks, but I'm already fully blessed.
- Thanks, but I'll take my chances unblessed.
- Thanks, but I'm allergic to blessings
- I'll pass, thanks.
- No thanks. I have a naturalistic worldview.
- Thank you. And which god would that be? (just kidding)
- Thank you, but I am an atheist.
- Thanks, but sorry, I don´t believe in any gods; I´m a bright.
- I'm not concerned with that.
- I don't think so.
- Peace and prosperity without god, I’d say.
- May the force be with you! (from Star Wars)
- May your soul remain in your body forever! [which greatly confuses people these days]
- Thanks, Tiny Tim. Please pass the potatoes.
- Curse you, Red Baron!
Omitted Examples
[7/10] The above submissions listing is not complete in that responses that clearly conflict with Brights movement principle #8 (positive intent) have been removed. Some submissions sent in to Brights Central more clearly do not abide by the stated criteria for the toolbox elicitation. It is a fact that not everyone takes kindly to a "God Bless You!" message. Some individuals prefer to issue a brusque or unfriendly rejoinder.
Comments on the "GBY" Subject
For years I have been replying to "God Bless You!" with a polite, yet insistent "No thank you!". I make a point of smiling as I say it, particularly if the greeter is a stranger to me, to show that I mean no offense by my unusual reply. My reply usually evokes a quizzical look from the other person.
Random Ideas Bonus Bag
After Making Your Donation...
Here’s a reply idea from Reginald. He uses it as a rejoinder to the GBY that comes from a recipient of his donation or charitable gesture.
"It's not for God, though—it’s for [charity name]"
Upon Hearing Someone Else Sneeze...
Max offers this unique alternative to the customary remarks. We found it rather captivating:
You say, "Einstein!"
He explains: For the last few years or so, my family and I say "Einstein" when any of us...or anyone...sneezes. It works well. It's quick, easy and encapsulates the essence of religion vs. science in one fell swoop.
A Note on "Gesundheit"
Most people think "Gesundheit" is synonymous with "God Bless You". The confusion over the real meaning of the word Gesundheit, which means simply "health," probably dates back to the time of the Bubonic Plague, where sneezing was a symptom of the disease. Sneezing was supposedly the person's soul making a break for it! It was believed that sickness arose due to the lack of a soul. And so "soullessness" and ill-health became synonymous during the middle ages.
The above remark was one of several variants received. If you see that any correction is needed, please send authentication to the-brights@the-brights.net
