i have a wedding coming up and it's at a church i grew up in. i'm not happy about going back because a lot of people put me thru hell. how would you handle yourself when it comes to prayers? also, it's a pentecostal church so it's pretty extreme there.
2007-11-01 15:33:18 · 28 answers · asked by lookingforanswersandquestions 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
oh, it's not my wedding, it's my friend's wedding
2007-11-01 15:43:48 · update #1
No i don't. That would be hypercrytical of me. I am silent but do not bow my head for i do not believe. As long as you are silent while they are praying it will be fine. If they discrespect you then they are not truly religious people for they should be nice to all regardless of belief. Show you are the better person by going and being silent during prayer times.
2007-11-01 15:39:08 · answer #1 · answered by Klingon Atheist 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As an atheist, I do not bow my head during prayer but I do maintain a respectful silence throughout the prayer. As for your wedding, why would you want to have a wedding at a church that you had such terrible experiences at. A wedding is a time of celebration and is really your day to be happy and rejoice. If you are not happy with that church or location then you should find another.
2007-11-01 22:41:16 · answer #2 · answered by Einstein 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Keep in mind this is someone's wedding. Some little girl probably dreamed about this day. Being respectful is always good. Bowing your head won't hurt you. You don't really have to close your eyes or anything else. This is about two people making the ultimate commitment to each other. It concerns their beliefs, not yours. My best advice, be respectful, somber, it will eventually end. I promise. I know it sux going back to the church you grew up in, but it won't kill you. If you care enough about the people to go to the wedding, you should also care enough to give them the memory of this day.
2007-11-01 22:41:07 · answer #3 · answered by nichole 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have been to several church weddings and I haven't bowed my head during any prayers. No one has ever said anything to me about it.
2007-11-01 22:38:03 · answer #4 · answered by ndmagicman 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it would be either whats the word etiquette maybe to stay in the corner of the church and watch the procession or do the prayer but you know your not actually doing it.
2007-11-01 22:36:25 · answer #5 · answered by ammaryusuf 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No I do not bow my head. I stand quietly and respectfully while others pray. I do not feel the need to conform but I'm not going to make a spectacle out of myself either.
2007-11-01 22:39:40 · answer #6 · answered by genaddt 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm an atheist and I find that silence is the best way to handle the situation. People have accused me of being rude because of this but I think it is still appropriate.
2007-11-01 22:39:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, I'm not an atheist, but I can tell you that it would be best to bow your head and at least go through the motions. You don't have to pray and you avoid the ugly scene possible by offending someone.
2007-11-01 22:36:38 · answer #8 · answered by slice_n_hook@yahoo.com 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My response is to always pause in silence out of respect for those around me. At my wedding, my wife and I incorporated a moment of prayer for our families, since many of them believe. We didn't pray along with them--nor would they expect us to; I'm quite honest with my family about my lack of belief, and my wife is Wiccan. It was a show of respect.
2007-11-01 22:41:15 · answer #9 · answered by writersblock73 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When my mom died last year we attended her funeral, of course. I did bow my head sort of, at least I looked down and was quiet. I wanted to be respectful. It was so funny, after the funeral we all went to lunch. Guess whose table the priest chose to sit at? Yep, my and my husband's, almost certainly the only 2 atheists in the joint!
2007-11-01 22:37:31 · answer #10 · answered by in a handbasket 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋