What Would You Do?: Christian Discrimination for Praying in Public
Intervene
Side Score: 5
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Ignore
Side Score: 11
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All you gotta do is turn on the radio, the tv, read the paper, or hell, even look at the signs posted everywhere advertising... Like damn near everything in society promotes paganism or even satanism, and someone can't handle a family praying at dinner time? Sadly, this is the level of theophobia that is expressed by atheists all over the internet on a daily basis. You know, when praying over dinner with your family in a public place is considered ramming religion down throats Side: Intervene
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Atheist here. You know how many Atheists I know who actually give a shit whether you pray over your food? Zero. I don't give a shit if you pray, I don't give a shit if you do it in public, that's your business. It becomes my business when you're attempting to get prayer established in some form of government, until then, mind your own business and I'll mind mine. This is a bullshit portrayal of false stereotypes made up by Christians who are shamelessly trying to discredit Atheists. And for the record, if I'm wrong, and I ever witness an actual Atheist OR a Christian actor playing an Atheist do something like that, I'll happily put them in their place just for giving us a bad name. Side: Ignore
Atheists give themselves a bad name by adopting the position of atheism. Anyone who denies The Supreme and Ultimate Reality discredits themselves. Believe me, theocracy is the furthest thing away from what I want. That requires an awful lot of faith in human institution. Side: Intervene
I agree with you in part, but, you shouldn't have to walk away from food that you have paid generously for, just so others can pray to a god YOU don't accept. THEY should have respect for OTHERS who don't agree with them. I'm sure THEY would be offended if I stood when they were finished and DENOUNCED their god. I SHOULD have that right if they have theirs. The Christian GOD demands that everyone accept HIM. ALLAH demands that all accept HIM ... that's the reason for millions of deaths over the centuries! Either religion demanding their voice in a public place with others of a different belief can be "troublesome". They should do it at home, or at least silently. I think a JUST god would forgive them a little peaceful digression. Side: Intervene
Are they forcing you to pray with them? Are they berating you if you don't? I'm asking to understand the situation you are painting. If you stood and denounced their God it is very different than if they were simply praying at the dinner table. They are praying for themselves, you are attacking their belief. It would be different if you were praying to Zeus (or something) and they berated you for it afterwards but if they are simply praying it shouldn't be your concern. So if you were sitting at a different booth close to mine, and my family started a prayer before dinner, would you take offence? I'm not asking you to, I'm not preaching that everyone should, I'm simply saying prayer to God with my family. Side: Intervene
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I would ignore it, but, I would not appreciate it. My daughter married a Catholic. When I go to dinner at their house they always say grace. I always accept their faith. When we go to a restaurant together, they do NOT. I think their "God" forgives them for this "slight", if he doesn't he is very intolerant! Ignore it, I would, but I would think less of the family that did it. Not very considerate of THEM! Christians are supposed to be about PEACE, not insulting others. I flew to Spain with a Jew on the plane that stood in the aisle every hour with a "block of wood" on his head and one in (or on) his hand, and a cord running between them while he prayed loud enough , I guess, so his "God" could hear him. I don't know what the ceremony was, but, many Christians wouldn't have liked the distraction either! I accepted it (with disdain), as I would the pious diners. It IS shoving their religion down others throats! Side: Ignore
How does a family praying at the dinner table in a restaurant affect you? That's an interesting experience with the Jew on the plane, I would be curious what that was about but it wouldn't bother me. I'd want to know more about it. It's a plane, I think any amount and kind of prayer is fine. ;D Side: Ignore
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I find both sides of this pretty offensive, just to be honest. The prayer doesn't offend me, not really, any more than any other blatant ridiculousness spoken out in public - but I believe in the right to speak it. The "atheist" bothers me more, firstly because she in no way represents me - I'd never do that unless the prayer was directed at me to begin with. I have no dog in this hunt. It's possible I'd walk out of the restaurant. Side: Ignore
Again, I agree. I found BOTH offensive. My point here is that BOTH should keep their mouths shut and respect one another's feelings, especially in a freedom of religion country. As I pointed out, my son-in-law's family respects others beliefs when they are out in public. I find it difficult to believe that a "god" must be convinced EVERY TIME one eats, that someone is thankful for S/HE/ITS providence, especially loud enough to bother those around them. Yes, the atheist was as wrong as the Christian here. BOTH should show more respect. I don't have to tell my wife EVERY time I pass her that I love her, I think she knows it after 43 years ... same with a god. Side: Intervene
People can pray, or not pray. I don't care. They can pray as a Christian, Muslim, or even a Satanist. The only times they can't are: 1. If they're in a private space not theirs: You can't walk into your neighbor's flower garden to pray. Or 2. If they're in an official government or corporate capacity in which that particular religion is not official to what they represent In the example of the restaurant, if the restaurant owner came over to ask them not to pray then it's an example of someone exercising their private property preferance. But it is not appropriate for a bystander, who could easily just ignore what is going on, to try to intervene to stop the praying. Side: Ignore
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