Gesundheit!

Am I the only person who objects to the practice of saying "Gesundheit!" or "Bless You!" when someone sneezes?

This common response to a sneeze is rooted in superstition. At one time, people believed that life was escaping through the nose, the soul was thrown out of the body during the sneeze and was susceptible to capture by Satan, or perhaps that the body was trying to cast off a demon in a sneeze. These ideas are patently absurd, and yet the blessing to ward off such events is still repeated.

Of the two, however, "Gesundheit" is marginally acceptable, since it translates more or less as "to your good health". Wishing someone who suffers from a cold or allergies "good health" is a pleasant thing to do, and I guess it doesn't matter that it's done in German.

But saying "Bless You!" after someone sneezes is just silly. Stop it!