Date:  Thu, 23 Oct 1997 19:57:44 -0400
From:  Beverly Flanigan <FLANIGAN[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]OUVAXA.CATS.OHIOU.EDU>
Subject: Re: - no subject (01IP5OGNV35Q8X2EE4) -

  Michael's right, of course; "Bless you" is the subjunctive wish that
  God may bless you. And I agree with Peter that the speaker may or may
  not be religious and has no reason to know whether or not I am. Mine
  is a kneejerk reaction to childhood "blessings" and admonitions, I
  suppose--so all right already, I'll start saying "Thank you"!