A Kansas Group Wants To Put God Back In Sneezing

Tonganoxie, Kansas – We have all heard about “The War on Christmas” from respected pundits like Bill O'Reily and Steven Colbert. Their main goal is to put God back in Christmas. One group in Kansas is taking that a step further and are making moves to put God back in year round in their campaign to put God back in “God bless you.”

Kathy Richardson of Tonganoxie has headed up the campaign that now has over two dozen followers. “When I sneeze, I want God to bless me. Not some random stranger.” The removal of God from this blessing has occurred with a greater frequency in the past few years. “You (random stranger) can't bless me as much as God can. Let's change this back.”

The saying “God bless you” was first used around 77 AD and gained greater popularity in the days of

the plague. During these times, one of the first signs of the illness was sneezing. The Pope at the time, Pope Gregory I, encouraged this small prayer for the sneezer with hopes of preventing them from dying of the plague.

Kathy Richardson wants those simpler times to return. “I don't want the plague to return, just the part of God being put back in the blessing.” Her team has started raising awareness by starting their own Facebook page due to the assistance of Richardson's son, Kevin.  (Kevin has stated his indifference to his mother's cause saying "Whatever.  I did it to help my mom.")  The page has 8 followers, mainly because many of those supporting the cause do not partake in social media. They have also given talks at their church, Victory Baptist. They have even put up posters in the local grocery store, B & J Country Mart. The owner of the store could not be reached for comment to gauge his support (or lack of it) in Richardson's cause, but an employee stated that the community cork board is for members of the community and removing anything from it, including lost cat notices, band sign ups and car sales would be a violation of free speech rights.

While their campaign is new, it has attracted an unlikely celebrity backer in Dane Cook who even brought up the issue in one of his stand-up routines before launching into a long personal story that happened to a lesser-known comedian.  (Please see link at the bottom of this article.) 

The newly divorced mother of three said that her divorce was a blessing, for it has allowed her more free time to focus on her cause, which she holds close to her heart.  Richardson has lofty goals of going before the Kansas Supreme Court to petition for a state amendment to their constitution that would require citizens keep God in their sneeze blessings.  (She made moves to get this referendum put on the most recent mid-term elections, but was unable to get the signatures necessary in time for the ballot printing. 

Richardson doesn't plan on stopping with just local/state government. “I want to take this to the highest courts in the land and then over seas to non-Christian countries.”  She has ordered magnetic signs for her two cars and the cars of those close to the cause.  T-Shirts, signs, magnets and other items can be purchased to help with their mission.  While no online presence is available at the time, you can send a letter with a check in it to Richardson.  These purchases will help fund her international trips to countries like Canada, where she hopes to start her global campaign in 2018.  "It is time that I forget about and move on from Russell (Her former husband) and start focusing on what God has called me to do."  At the time of this posting, God has declined to comment.

 

"Comic" Dane Cook's Sneezing Group Support (NSFW)