When an atheist invites his best fundie friend for dinner, should the friend respect the atheist?

Question

....and refrain from practicing religious rituals at the table.

Thanks to Brandon who asked a similar question (reversed).

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AuXbyUtG4jlPIh6_YbbSIdlFLxV.;_ylv=3?qid=20071003151113AABI7KG

Answer 1

Personally, I'm never offended when someone practices there faith. As long as they don't force me to practice it with them, it's no problem at all.

You shouldn't have to deny what you believe because of someone else. That's true no matter what you believe.

Answer 2

The religious friend will has his rituals and the atheist knows that, that's why they are friends, they respect each others believes and I'm sure that when the situation is reversed the religious guy won't expect his friend to pray with him, the operating word here is Best Friends

Answer 3

Seriously, it depends on the nature of the friendship. Some friends can tear each other's most closely-held beliefs to shreds and still be friends. In fact, arguing can be the basis of a friendship. But if both are sensitive about it, any concession to the other person is helpful.

But I never knew any atheist who was offended by someone praying before a meal.

Answer 4

Nope. The fundie should say grace.
The atheist can just remain silent while the fundie appeals to an imaginary friend.

Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch, who's watching over you, make a little birdhouse in your soul!

Answer 5

It's a friendship! Wouldn't two friends be able to talk to each other about that before it comes to the tricky moment?

I wouldn't mind a friend doing the rituals before eating, but I'd leave the table for a bit, I think, since I do feel uncomfortable with such rituals.

Answer 6

My personal opinion is that people should respect other people's beliefs (or lack thereof), regardless of where they are located.

This would be especially true at the atheist's own house. However, if I were atheist, and my guest wanted to practice something that was non-intrusive and did not ask me to participate, I would not object.

The opposite is true as well. If I was atheist, and was invited to someone's house, I would not be offended if they practiced anything that they liked, as long as I had the right to not participate and it's not something completely intrusive (like sacrifices or something).

Answer 7

I am agnostic, meaning I think there may be a Greater Power but that none of the organized religions has the truth about it or him or her yet. Still, I am an easy going guy. If somebody wants to say Grace before a meal thats fine with me, I will even bow my head and close my eyes but I will be thinking about something interesting instead. Maybe work, maybe sex, maybe the news, but not anything religious.

Answer 8

If an atheist and a "fundie" are best friends, they've both clearly been respecting each other all along, or the dinner table would be a warzone! :O

Answer 9

Well if the friend is going for dinner lets say, i think it would be rude of him to expect the other friend to totally abandon his spiritual practices for a visit from his friend,
Obviously the friend must not mind him having a faith, so i think the other friend should just say, listen we say prayer before eating, so you are willing to join.if not no worries it won't take long.
That would be fair i feel,
I do have a strong faith, and I do have visitors who come round for dinner, and i do offer a prayer of thanks, but i always say to my guest i hope you don't mind if i say a prayer before we start.

Answer 10

I feel who ever's home it is, everyone should follow their rituals. Like if I'm at a Christians house for dinner, I always keep quiet during grace.

Answer 11

I'm an atheist and if i invited a Christian to dine at my table i would expect him to feel at home.
if he felt a need to bless the table then that's OK as long as he respected my choice not to.
we can ALL live side by side with a little tolerance.