Thursday, June 19, 2008
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Praying in Front of Others - Disrespectful?
Whenever I eat with my some of my friends, I often struggle with whether or not it's disrespectful to pray out loud. Among my Christian friends, we almost always pray together outloud before a meal - giving thanks to God and the friends at the table. But, when the same friends and a non-Christian friend come into the mix, I noticed we no longer pray out loud. We either do "POYO" or Pray on your own, or sometimes not pray at all.
So, here's my question - if you're a non-christian or have talked about this before, what's your take about praying out loud before a meal?
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Comments (35)
The bible says not to pray aloud among others to be noticed, but if you're being honest and praying to God, you have every right to pray aloud if you like.
Before I was a regular churchgoer, I always thoght to myself, "Wow, this person, sitting in fornt of me praying over his Mom's burnt hamburgers, is one proud human being." I'm all for praying in front of non-Christian friends. It makes you a lot more aware of your faith and strengthens your mind, I think. I hope this helps.
And don't think it's disrespectful, because which is worse, disrespecting a friend where you can laugh about it later, or disrespecting God? The worst sins are the ones we consciously commit. And I'm not saying you sinned, because I'm sure you aren't even thinking about it until after it happens, but don't be afraid of people judging you. After all, you are simply showing your allegiance to God, right? Your Christian friends will perhaps have an increased respect for you after seeing you front your beliefs in front of a crowd. Be proud of who you are :)
I don't think it could be considered disrespectful, but you may make the nonChristian feel uncomfortable.
Sometimes I do the catholic cross thing, though I am not catholic. I usually forgo anything but sometimes I wonder if going ahead with the prayer would be better. Good question.
even tho i dont belive in god If im still in some one house and they pray i'll pray with them its a nice thing to do. its like if they ask me to take off my shoes be for going in to there house. If they entterd my house were we dont pray be for we eat it have to be a POYO. its all out of respect i think..
i generally pray on my own. i wait for a pause in the conversation and just go ahead and pray.. and usually they'll either continue the conversation on their own and wait for me to join in again, or they'll quiet down until i'm finished. since it's no secret to my nonchristian friends that i'm christian, they understand and they respect my values and beliefs. i think it's only sliiiiiiightly awkward the first time you do it in front of them, and then they pick up on it and it's fine. and i think even a simple silent prayer for something as small (or as big, depending on how you look at it) as a meal can be a great witness... especially if the rest of your life is a little different and a little bit more.. holy than others.
kinda going along with troop_47, it's also a practice in living for the eyes of One:) do it:)
I'm a non-Christian. So here's my take on it: I don't think it's
necessary to be offended by someone praying infront of you, even if you
don't believe in it. I'm only offended once I'm condescended for my lack of belief. But if someone is saying a grace before they eat, I
will remain quiet and allow them their prayer time. And while I'd
prefer for people to pray on their own, if they make it a family affair
(for example, I've got several Christian friends who's families say a
blessing before dinner, holding hands and that) and I am included, I
will physically participate out of respect (bow head, hold hands, etc),
but I do not pray in my head or say a prayer out loud. I haven't had
any problems so far, and I don't expect to. I am doing my best to be
respectful of their beliefs while remaining true to my own, and they
have the same courteousy for me.
My family is religious but
understands my beliefs. When we have family meals and say grace, I
simply abstain. I sit quietly and allow them the time. They understand
and no one is offended on either side of the religious fence.
I am a Christian, and i know this question was sort of for nonchristians. But i don't think that we should care if a nonbeliever thinks it is disrespectful. You have to be true to your faith and do what you believe is right. Offending a nonbeliever should be the least of your worries. I am not saying to try and offend nonbelievers and shy them away from the truth, but if you believe it is right to pray for your food before you eat, you cannot be concerned what others think.
~Sam
Personally, although I do sometimes feel a little uncomfortable around people who are praying out loud, I don't think it is inappropriate at all. I wouldn't exactly call myself a Christian by any means, but the way I see it, it's like the Pledge of Allegiance. No one has the right to tell you whether or not to say it, and no one should think any more or less of you regardless of your decision. I'd hope that your non-Christian friends would understand the importance of prayer to you (or at least accept it...coming from experience, I don't know if a non-Christian can exactly understand it...) and I'm sure they'd support you, whatever you decide. I say, go ahead and say it out loud. You have nothing to hide. =)
When I was a kid, I have had same struggle. I watched people pray and would be TOTALLY uncomfortable, even while I am Christian. Recently my fiance and I went out to the Red Lobster resturant with my children, we prayed and I looked up in time to see our waitress waiting respectfully back until we were done to place our drink on the table.
It is really depends on each person. I am not a big fan of praying out loud in public but I would do it in honor of God and IF I felt the need that people are lost.
Again, the first comment said it, pray in private but if you were to bless the family or friends, go for it. And again, like other comment, they will be uncomfortable. Sometimes I am even uncomfortable myself and I am proud to be Christian!!
i'm a Christian but still answering ;) i don't think its rude...as long as you're polite about it..just excuse yourself and pray or you could even add that person in the prayer thanking God for their company..if anything do the POYO ..and also be sincere in the prayer..don't just pray to look Holier than thou...
doesn't it say if we are ashamed of Him, He will do the same to us...
i'd rather offend a friend and open up that door of spirituality than offend my Father in Heaven...
public prayer is almost more of a witnessing tool then a time of thankfulness. So like Jesus said, if your prayer done in public is to draw attention to you or yourselves then its worthless, but if it's done as a sign of thankfulness, and or witnessing, then I dont see the problem with it.
I'm not adverse to Christians praying out loud, so long as you don't mind if I say my own religious blessings.
Simple, as this: Just ask to your non xtians friends if they are bother by you giving grace, in public. If they are your friends they'll feel thankful for you to ask them. If they say yes or no thanks, you will know what to do.
bless
Having been in the same situation, I would say it depends on how well y'all know each other. When we go out to eat, most of my friends are Christian and sometimes we just ask the non-Christian person if it's okay if we say grace together out loud. I suppose that's sort of passive-aggressive (I mean, who would say no?), but at least it goes far enough to show that we're trying to be as considerate as possible. I haven't heard someone object yet.
ah!
but as someone said before, pray aloud in public is not good, you make sure you do it quietly and in a very respectful way (respectful to God)
as Christians, Jesus should be our best friend. since He died for us, He def. deserves that place. so i would say to def. pray in front of people--after all, we talk to our friends in front of other friends all the time, right?
and like the other people said... asking the non-christian person(s) consent is good too :)
but if those around us find praying out loud awkward, then i think it's fine to pray silently/by yourself--God never said that praying out loud was mandatory ;) it's our choosing to acknowledge/thank Him that counts :)
how long a prayer are we talking about?
I'm not Christian, but I would be perfectly fine with it if a Christian friend wanted to pray out loud while I was with him/her.
I think that freedom of religion works both ways. No one should be forced to follow a certain religion and no one should be forced to stop practicing their religious beliefs. As long as no one is being forced to participate, I see nothing wrong with those who wish to pray being allowed to pray.
Of course, it all depends on if the people you're with are okay with it or not. You should tell them beforehand that you intend to pray out loud...they may be surprised if you just start. If they're your friends, I don't think they'd have a problem with it.
Jedi Master 713
Personally I have many friends who are not Christian, but they all understand that I AM, I don't make them follow my faith but that doesn't stop me from following it in front of them and they know that it is just part of being with me and they respect that. Some will even bow their heads or observe a moment of silence when I bless my food.
It's great that you have a relationship with your friends in which you all respect each other's beliefs. We need more people who act this way.
Jedi Master 713
i generally don't pray out loud but i don't think there is anything wrong with you doing it. your friends should understand, especially for them being your friends and knowing how important your faith is to you. even tho i don't say grace out loud i bow my head and it's obvious what i'm doing, and my non christian friends will follow suit with their own prayers of thanks.
Been there, done that. I'm Christian and i have friends that are not, and whenever we eat together and we'll be discussing something we'll all stop conversation to say grace. its usually not something we all do aloud, just a minute or so to say one to yourself.
Also before major tests, we pray. this is aloud however. and no one's required to participate if they dont wish to, its just something we as students do. teachers sometimes bow their heads, sometimes they dont. thats their choice.
i think people should just respect that not everyone thinks the way they do and not take it personally. allow them to pray over their meal in peace and carry on with your day.
that simple.
I don't think it is disrespectful. If they don't wish to pray, we can pray in our heart. We can let them know we are christian , so, thay can understand our minds.