I saw an answer on here where someone was saying people forced the others to pray before eating lunch at work. How would you feel if you were put in this situation whether at work or simply around a Christian friend or family member? Would you pray or say you don't believe in that?
2007-06-07 14:50:29 · 43 answers · asked by kfount400 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
When I am with friends and family that say Christian prayer show repect and bow my head. There is no harm done by me showing respect for their faith.
2007-06-07 14:57:41 · answer #1 · answered by Epona Willow 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Was it forced, or were people simply praying in the presence of an atheist? Sometimes people are too quick to take offense.
When there is a prayer at a function, dinner, a friend's house, I don't bow my head. I do remain silent and still however.
There are some places where I think group, directed prayer is inappropriate (public school assembly, as an example.) In those cases, I will remain silent during, but speak to someone afterward about it.
2007-06-07 16:33:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have been in the situation where a dining companion prays before a meal.. I politely sit through their prayer when I am unable to leave unobtrusively.. I refrain from saying "Amen" as that would indicate I agree with the prayer and the sentiment there in which I do not..
I find no reason to bring up religious beliefs and spoil the dining experience, If however someone asks me to do the praying I quickly say "No, I am Atheist and I do not pray or believe in any deity."
If someone wants to make an issue of me not praying I excuse myself from the table and leave... No one can force another person to pray.. If they try they are the rude party and need to be left as they are not a dining companion I wish to have..
2007-06-07 15:08:01 · answer #3 · answered by Diane (PFLAG) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it was, perhaps, someone I respected, I would bow my head and be silent and pretend to do it. If I was forced to do it aloud, I'd try to say no- as kindly as possible- using varying excuses such as 'I don't believe I'm the best person to do so.'
But, praying at lunch? It depends on how rude they're being about it. If they grab my hand and offer to bless my food for me, I'll go along with it. If they smack my fork away from my mouth and demand that I pray before I eat, I will pick up my fork and snap something nasty at them, then move away and eat elsewhere.
2007-06-07 14:58:50 · answer #4 · answered by M B 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My practice has always been that when persons of religious belief wish to honour that belief in my presence, I lower my eyes and remain silent during their ceremony or ritual, and think my own thoughts.
It doesn't hurt anyone to behave in a respectful and decent manner towards others. I would hope they would return the favour to me, if I had something important I wished to do in a solemn manner.
No-one can actually force you to pray. If they insisted or made an issue of it, I would ask them to respect my position and stand my ground, unless I was threatened physically. If that was the case, well they're obviously NOT good people whatever they say and I would just shut up and look for the exit.
Best wishes :-)
2007-06-07 15:16:59 · answer #5 · answered by thing55000 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a Wiccan, if I am in another person's home, and if they choose to have prayer before their meals, I am very polite, bow my head, and go with the flow. It is more important to me to not impose my faith on others. The Chrisitans in my family know where I stand, but I don't expect them to cater to me in their own homes.
I don't mind if people pray at work, but I don't join in. If I am with a co-worker who chooses to pray, I am silent and do not eat until they are finished.
Being respectful of each other's faith and practices is essential. I can stand up taller for what I believe if I am.
2007-06-07 15:09:46 · answer #6 · answered by yarn whore 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This happens every time I go to a family function. Because it is their house it is expected to pray before the meal. It is usually a Christian prayer. I just hang my head, shut my eyes and tune out for those few minutes. They are never the wiser.
2007-06-07 16:02:35 · answer #7 · answered by NONAME 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Non Christians pray also, so lumping them with Athiests isn't right. Many pagans, followers of Native American and new-age religions "pray" as a way of giving thanks to the earth for providing the food they have. There isn't always a "god" associated with the prayer, but they can give thanks with the best of them. It would be wonderful to have someone who isn't with the mainstream "christian" sects give a prayer at a meal. Quite a refreshing change from the typical "I've been saying the same thing over and over and over my whole life" mumbo jumbo.
2007-06-07 15:00:30 · answer #8 · answered by bete noire Carpe Noctum 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well it depends. Sometimes when i'm over at other's houses for dinner of some sort and they say grace I quietly bow my head to be polite rather than interrupt everything with some sort of malicious or sardonic remark about Christianity.
If someone was telling me that I HAD to pray and was being very rude about it, I would walk away.
2007-06-07 14:56:32 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If I were being forced to participate in a religious activity by my employer, I would get a lawyer, and file a lawsuit against him through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, charging him with religious harassment, and creating a hostile work environment.
Since my friends all know I'm an atheist, it wouldn't even be an issue with them. They would allow me to excuse myself and leave the room.
2007-06-07 15:13:06 · answer #10 · answered by link955 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
educated Christians would ask the question first whether I am Christian.
If I said NO, then they will pray by themselves without me.
However, uneducated Christians who thinks oneself upright, will force you to pray.
If that is the situation, I would rather walk out of the place. I rather beg on the street or go to dustbin and eat leftover food.
2007-06-07 14:55:33 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋