Why do Christians pray out loud when they dine at restaurants?

Question

I work 10 hours everyday.
I listen to my boss piss and moan over non-sense.
When I go to a restaurant, the last thing I want to hear is a bunch of christians disrupting my meal with their garbage prayers!
I deserve peace and quiet while I dine.
Last time I went to red lobster, a bunch of crazy christians were dining at this table.
There was about ten of them.
Each one of them took turns praying over their food.
Do you know how irriating it is to hear 10 people praying?
I complained and was told they have a right to pray.
What about my right to peace and quiet?

Answer 1

They have every right to pray in public. If you don't like it I suggest to dine at home. As a side note, prayer isn't "garbage." Nice day to you and God bless :)

Answer 2

In all your life, in all the times you dined out, how often have you had to hear 10 people pray at a table next to you? I eat out with Christians all the time and they usually say silent prayers or one person prays the prayer for all. Even at that, you'd have to be really listening and leaning to hear it. What's really bugging you here?
I think it must have been a really special occasion for all of them to participate in the prayer. Although Christians share in prayers sometimes at church, I don't know when I've ever seen that at a meal, or especially in a restaurant. It's not appropriate because all are waiting to eat, and some have a limited lunch hour.
It's too bad they offended you. They probably didn't even know it, or someone in the group would have apologized to you, I'm sure. You might ask the manager to seat you away from the Christians next time. God bless you and give you peace and quiet in the future.

Answer 3

Not all Christians pray aloud in restaurants. I am a Christian. And I pray silently before I eat so I won't offend anyone.

Christians have a right to pray in restaurants if they wish. Perhaps it was a night out for their Bible Study group.If they were overly loud, your complaint would've been valid. But if you complained because you are not a Christian and just don't want to hear Christians, then you had the choice of moving to another table or leaving the restaurant.

You do have a right to peace and quiet. But perhaps you will have to find another place to eat or go at a different time in order to acheive it.

Answer 4

People have something called the freedom of speech and religion. I can't say much more about this without getting offensive. (Unless you live in a country outside of America. In that case, forgive my mistake.) If they want to, they can, just as people have the right to cuss in public should they feel the need to do so. Some may find it offensive, but we just need to learn to adapt and accept. Maybe these people just went through some terrible ordeal: you don't know, but perhaps praying aloud brings them the comfort they are so desperately searching for. Just consider things like this to prevent further misunderstanding.

Answer 5

If you want Peace and quiet, then stay at home. There is no Peace and quiet, when you go to eat out. Are you living in LaLa land ?? Better yet , join in the prayer. Ask God to help you endure. If ya don't want to do that , then go to your Doctor and ask him to prescribe you some Zanex. You will get instant Peace and quiet. But don't overdose.

Answer 6

Wait a second, there are people talking all around you in the restaurant, and you zero in on some Christians praying?

Seems to me you have an ax to grind about prayer. You're not being consistent. If you want "peace and quiet" then why didn't you ask everyone in the place to shut up??

I have 2 words for you, brother - TAKE OUT

Answer 7

You could have used your right to freedom of speech to ask the waiter for another table. Other people have the same right to use a restaurant as you do. And, they DO have a right to pray before eating. I rarely have been in a Red Lobster that was dead quiet. So anyone who wants to talk...or has children, should have to clear out simply because YOU want to eat in peace and quiet? I would suggest that when you are that tired and cranky that perhaps picking up take-out food that you can enjoy in the peace and quiet of your own home might be a better choice.
Yes, we all have those days. But, you don't need to ruin everyone else's day as well.

Answer 8

You weren't irritated by their praying. You were irritated by the fact that they CAN pray to the Creator of the universe, without your permission, blessing or approval. Even if they hadn't been there and prayed, it's disingenuous of you to complain about not having peace & quiet at a busy, popular restaurant.

Answer 9

I am the daughter, grand-daughter, great-grand-daughter, niece, cousin, etc. of generations of ministers or missionaries. Praying loudly in public was something that my family used to do, and I was always horrified with embarassment - not because they were praying, but because they were praying LOUDLY and making a scene, with the intent to call attention to themselves. (In fact, it was just one of many reasons I was turned off to organized religion.)

While understanding that the Christian religion, itself, promotes the idea of "sharing the good news" with others, there is a time and place for everything, and a public restaurant is NOT the place to do it.

That said, for as annoying as it may be to us, that's one of the "joys" of living in a free society, and in my opinion, not worth getting upset over. I don't care to look at old men wearing tight speedos on the beach, smelling someone's body odor on a crowded bus, listening to the same damn tune that the icecream truck plays every frickin' day about this time, watching out for tailgaters, reading the same questions over and over on Yahoo Answers, blah, blah, blah.

Life's too short, my friend. Don't sweat the small stuff. I know you're just venting, but honestly, you know that prayers don't last THAT long, and it doesn't happen THAT often!

Just take the high road and count your blessings that you're not having to sit there praying along with them!

Answer 10

Not all do. When I was a Christian, I used to bow my head for a silent prayer when eating in public. I am sure even that probably offended and annoyed some folks. No one can please everyone. My advice is to not even try. Try to please those you love and yourself, but do not bow down and kiss everyone's tail. They will just disrespect you for it. And while you're at it, maybe you could learn to be a little more tolerant and cut other people some slack. Can't you learn to tune out noises you don't like? Maybe get you some ear plugs.