The Omaha Church Sneeze Law: A Legal Urban Legend

The internet loves a good "weird law" story, and one of Nebraska's most famous claims is that it's illegal to burp or sneeze during church services in Omaha. Some versions even say parents can be arrested if their child lets out an involuntary bodily function during the sermon. It sounds absurd enough to be true—which is probably why it spreads so well.

But here's the problem: this law doesn't actually exist.

The Wild World of Fake Laws

If you've ever browsed those "dumbest laws in America" lists, you've encountered this phenomenon. These compilations claim all sorts of bizarre regulations: whale fishing is illegal in Nebraska (a landlocked state), ministers can't eat garlic before preaching in Indiana, or you can't carry an ice cream cone in your back pocket in Alabama. They're entertaining, shareable, and mostly fictional.

According to Wikipedia's research on strange laws, a large number of these supposed ordinances are hoaxes, exaggerations, or based on misunderstandings. Some may reference laws that were repealed decades ago, others twist the wording of real statutes, and many are simply made up for laughs.

Where's the Evidence?

When you actually search Omaha's municipal code—the official legal document containing the city's ordinances—there's no mention of burping, sneezing, or any bodily functions being prohibited in churches. No section number, no legal citation, nothing. For a law to be enforceable, it needs to exist in writing in the official code. This one doesn't.

The claim appears on countless websites, but they all cite each other or provide no source at all. That's a red flag. Real laws have real documentation.

Why Do We Fall for These?

These fake laws persist because they're fun. They make us laugh, they make our own towns seem less weird by comparison, and they're perfect social media fodder. The burp-and-sneeze law is especially appealing because it's so relatable—everyone's been in a quiet church service fighting the urge to cough or sneeze.

The truth is less exciting: Omaha, like most cities, probably has general noise ordinances and rules about disrupting public gatherings, but nothing specifically targeting involuntary nasal explosions during prayer.

So next time you're in an Omaha church and feel a sneeze coming on, go ahead and let it out. Just maybe cover your mouth—not because the law says so, but because it's polite.