Why pray in public?

Question

1. It is arrogant
2. It is disrespect for other religions and disrespect for non-belivers
3. It doesn't make non-belivers uncofortable, it just pisses-off a lot of ppl
4. What if Muslims go in the middle of streets praying, what if Buddists meditate in McDonalds, what if every religion will expose their religion in public? Won't it look like mad house?
5. Praying in public is pure show-off of insecure people who need desperately attention

Answer 1

You obviously haven't been to Deerborn, Michigan recently. They are already playing the Muslim call to prayers over loudspeakers and they stop where they are and pray in public.

Obviously I would make a degree of distinction between the sweet little old lady who bows her head at a cafe and prays before she eats and the nut on a soapbox who prays loudly in public to show everyone how unholy he considers them to be.

Proper prayer is between the person and G-d and the person withdraws into their personal "prayer closet". (In Judaism we cover ourselves with the tallit.) While corporate prayer as a group is good, ultimately the prayer has to be personal to be proper.

How does it offend you when you see me, or another Jew walking down the street with a yarmulke on his head? Do our exposed tsitsis somehow cause you some form of distress? When we "expose" our religion by being honest in our business dealings does that cause you some form of problem?

Answer 2

This is not actually a question and I doubt you want an answer but here goes anyway.

Prayer is a group thing that groups of people do. My family and I often pray in McDonalds because it is our tradition to pray together before we eat. If Buddists meditate for a few moments before eating in McDonalds, it will not be chaos. If Muslims pray briefly on the street out of people's way it will not be a problem.

I would think that people smoking, singing, becoming intoxicated, or throwing a football in public would be much more disturbing.

It would seem that somebody trying to stop me from giving a prayer of thanks for my food before I eat it in public must be some kind of insecure show-off desperate for attention.

Answer 3

Why not pray in public? We should pray in public because we want to. The bible says "to pray without ceasing"!

1. Not arrogant. It is a peaceful demonstration under our breaths. It gives honor to our Heavenly father. Its great for continual protection with our guardian angels. It sanctifies our food before we eat by blessing it!
2. It doesn't disrespect others only those who are convicted who don't pray!
3. People who are highly offended by pray need Jesus. They should mine there own business and move on!
4. No, it wouldn't look like a mad house. It would look like a House Of Prayer which it is needed in this world!
5. Praying in public shows a spirit of excellence in Christ. Only people who get upset like you are insecure and need attention therefore You need Pray!

Answer 4

I disagree with most of what you've listed. I pray in public all the time, when I'm driving, or sitting down to eat in a restaurant. I just don't make a show of it....that's not what it's about anyway. When people make it a show, it's usually fake, so why bother? The heartfelt prayer is quiet and meaningful, and no one knows it's happening except you and God. If others want to pray in public, I don't care, it doesn't bother me a bit..it is not arrogant nor disrespectful...if they are being showy about it, and it irritates me, I can always get up and leave.

Answer 5

I think it all goes back to the intent of the heart, which is what God looks at. In fact god spoke against the Pharisees "who do this to be seen by men. They have their rewards in full." People who do it for show are wrong for the very reasons you describe. Because their intent is not to glorify God or to have more communication with God. Those people are confusing religion with relationship. Prayer is all about communication with our heavenly father.

But if someone is praying out loud for a pure motive, I don't feel that is wrong. For instance, if they are praying to comfort someone who wants prayer or praying for guidance, let them be.
Or if it's for a public prayer, such as invocation why does that bother you. You don't have to pray, just be respectful.

While I'm not Muslim, I understand that Muslims will pray publicly. They have that right to pray publicly and that is part of their faith.

Just as people have the right to free speech. I don't have to agree with what you or anyone else does, but you have that right.

Answer 6

Personally, I don't care if others pray in public, regardless of their religion. If that is what they believe, I can respect that. BUT, I also demand they respect MY beliefs in the same way. I'm an Atheist. I can't abide unsolicited preaching or pushy religious people who want to save my soul. Half the time, having researched my former religion (Catholicism) as well as many others, I know more about their religion than they do. People, if we, "the damned", want your opinion or your salvation, we'll ask for it. Pray if you will, wherever, with your kindred and leave the rest of us alone!

Answer 7

There are reasons to pray in public ... at a public gathering where you are called upon to bless it, for example, or during a moment of extreme public stress, like the folks during 9/11 dropped and prayed ... and there are reasons not to pray in public ... in order to gain attention and have others think you more spiritual than you are.

Jesus says about the last group of folks that they have received all the glory they are gonna get out of it lol. But if you pray in private, God will reward you in heaven.

Answer 8

Lets see, I am offended at people necking in public. Does that stop them? No.

I am offended when people curse every other word in every single sentence. Does that stop them? No.

I am offended when someone comes into the "religious/spiritual" topic of Yahoo Question and Answers and curses God and Jesus - but does that stop them? No.

I am offended every time someone gets cross with elderly people who cant get around very well in stores. Does that stop people from being rude to them? No.

And you and they are going to be offended if I pray I'm public? The truth is you'd be offended if I prayed period so I'm not too particularly worried about offending others when i praise or pray in public or in private.

My praying does not harm you or anyone else, does not bruise you, does not cost you a penny. I pray silently when in public so really - your being offended in that may seem arrogant to you - but to me, I am not ashamed of what I believe in.

IF WE DID NOT PRAY IN PUBLIC.., You would call us hypocrites. Either way we cant please you so when it comes to God, we please him first and foremost.

A Christian is a Christian 24/7. Its not a part time job, although some treat it that way. Being a Christian is not like a coat or a hat you put on and off at will. THAT cheapens the experience.

Answer 9

A person should not make a seen when praying. But I could care less if it offends anyone or is disrespectful. If they would mind their own business and not worry about someone praying they would be better off. Have a nice day

Answer 10

Any religion has the right to pray in public.

If someone is angered by it, it's their loss. I pray before I eat a meal at McDonald's, seriously, it's the right thing to do, u give thanks to God for what you have. God doesn't cause your pain and suffering. Your decisions and the decisions made by the people before you got you in this position. I pray in school. A part of the constitution is freedom of religion. As long as I'm allowed to pray in public and bring a Bible with me whenever I want, wherever I want, I'm fine with it. People have the right to pray in public and the right to the freedom of religion. The Liberals don't want people to be able to pray in schools after two girls in elementary school prayed before lunch and some people got offended. Who cares? I don't care. People try to control you like you've never seen before. It's crazy.