College student in Colorado allowed to mention Jesus, the Bible in graduation speech

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are making an argument based on a non-existent Jewish prayer?

Yes, because there is no prayer in Judaism that violates Christian beliefs, but there ARE prayers - everyone with Jesus in them - that are in direct violation to Jewish beliefs.

Christians need to understand that not everyone believes in Jesus, and that leading a prayer at a work function asking all people to pray to him is insensitive at best, and arrogant and sanctimonious at worse.

All major religions contain belief that contradict each other.

Instead of being offended, realize that and be respectful.

Sitting silently while someone prays does no harm.

[Anonymous]

Heavens, again, your uncomfortableness doesn’t cancel out someone’s right to freedom of religion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm opposed to this type of thing. I was at a seminar for work, and at the lunch, someone gave a benediction thanking Jesus for the food. We were asked to bow our heads at the start of his little spiel, and when he got to the Jesus Christ part, I felt manipulated into participating in a Christian prayer that is antithetical to my beliefs.

I would have walked over and refilled my coffee cup and checked my phone until they were done.

And you would have looked exceptionally rude, immature and unprofessional to everyone in attendance, including all the grown up atheists, agnostics and people of non Christian religions.

No more unprofessional than someone shoving religion down your throat AT WORK.

Seriously. Would you believe I have to follow all sorts of rules about the kosher kitchen at work?

Oh, wait. That's right. It's not a big deal and I'm fine following the rules to keep the kitchen and its contents kosher, even if I don't share any of the beliefs.

I also don't freak out when there are invited (male) speakers who will shake the hands of men but not women. It's their religion, no skin off my nose.

You are CLUELESS. Being asked to follow the rules of a kosher kitchen does not violate your religious beliefs. A Jew being asked to pray in the name of "our Savior Jesus Chrisf" is being asked to violate his religious beliefs. Not the same thing at all.

A better analogy would be if a Jew got up to give the benediction at a work function, asked all in attendance to bow their heads, and then lead a prayer affirming that Jesus was a mortal man and NOT the son of God. (Not that Jews have that kind of prayer. They make no reference to. Jesus at all.)

Unless they're holding a gun to your head and forcing you to pray, you're fine. I'm an atheist. When someone asks us to hold hands, or bow our heads, I know what's coming because I'm not an idiot. And I politely, quietly, respectfully, allow others to have their moment. No forced conversions yet, so I think we're doing ok.

"Let us pray" or "Please bow your heads while I offer a blessing" are not followed by "or I'll kill you for being a heretic."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm opposed to this type of thing. I was at a seminar for work, and at the lunch, someone gave a benediction thanking Jesus for the food. We were asked to bow our heads at the start of his little spiel, and when he got to the Jesus Christ part, I felt manipulated into participating in a Christian prayer that is antithetical to my beliefs.

I would have walked over and refilled my coffee cup and checked my phone until they were done.

And you would have looked exceptionally rude, immature and unprofessional to everyone in attendance, including all the grown up atheists, agnostics and people of non Christian religions.

No more unprofessional than someone shoving religion down your throat AT WORK.

Seriously. Would you believe I have to follow all sorts of rules about the kosher kitchen at work?

Oh, wait. That's right. It's not a big deal and I'm fine following the rules to keep the kitchen and its contents kosher, even if I don't share any of the beliefs.

I also don't freak out when there are invited (male) speakers who will shake the hands of men but not women. It's their religion, no skin off my nose.

You are CLUELESS. Being asked to follow the rules of a kosher kitchen does not violate your religious beliefs. A Jew being asked to pray in the name of "our Savior Jesus Chrisf" is being asked to violate his religious beliefs. Not the same thing at all.

A better analogy would be if a Jew got up to give the benediction at a work function, asked all in attendance to bow their heads, and then lead a prayer affirming that Jesus was a mortal man and NOT the son of God. (Not that Jews have that kind of prayer. They make no reference to. Jesus at all.)

Unless they're holding a gun to your head and forcing you to pray, you're fine. I'm an atheist. When someone asks us to hold hands, or bow our heads, I know what's coming because I'm not an idiot. And I politely, quietly, respectfully, allow others to have their moment. No forced conversions yet, so I think we're doing ok.

"Let us pray" or "Please bow your heads while I offer a blessing" are not followed by "or I'll kill you for being a heretic."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm opposed to this type of thing. I was at a seminar for work, and at the lunch, someone gave a benediction thanking Jesus for the food. We were asked to bow our heads at the start of his little spiel, and when he got to the Jesus Christ part, I felt manipulated into participating in a Christian prayer that is antithetical to my beliefs.

I would have walked over and refilled my coffee cup and checked my phone until they were done.

And you would have looked exceptionally rude, immature and unprofessional to everyone in attendance, including all the grown up atheists, agnostics and people of non Christian religions.

No more unprofessional than someone shoving religion down your throat AT WORK.

Seriously. Would you believe I have to follow all sorts of rules about the kosher kitchen at work?

Oh, wait. That's right. It's not a big deal and I'm fine following the rules to keep the kitchen and its contents kosher, even if I don't share any of the beliefs.

I also don't freak out when there are invited (male) speakers who will shake the hands of men but not women. It's their religion, no skin off my nose.

You are CLUELESS. Being asked to follow the rules of a kosher kitchen does not violate your religious beliefs. A Jew being asked to pray in the name of "our Savior Jesus Chrisf" is being asked to violate his religious beliefs. Not the same thing at all.

A better analogy would be if a Jew got up to give the benediction at a work function, asked all in attendance to bow their heads, and then lead a prayer affirming that Jesus was a mortal man and NOT the son of God. (Not that Jews have that kind of prayer. They make no reference to. Jesus at all.)

Unless they're holding a gun to your head and forcing you to pray, you're fine. I'm an atheist. When someone asks us to hold hands, or bow our heads, I know what's coming because I'm not an idiot. And I politely, quietly, respectfully, allow others to have their moment. No forced conversions yet, so I think we're doing ok.

"Let us pray" or "Please bow your heads while I offer a blessing" are not followed by "or I'll kill you for being a heretic."

Still not the same when it is at work, as the employer is sanctioning one religion over the other.

When I go to a Christian funeral or wedding, I expect to hear about Jesus and sit respectfully. But completely inappropriate in a work setting, when no religion should take priority over another.

And no, if I were asked to bow my head in a work setting, I would NOT expect it to be followed by Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Given that we would be in a room of Jews, Muslims, Hindus, maybe Buddhists, I would expect a very generic "we appreciate this food" type of thing.

[Anonymous]

What is the big deal of this? Bible is a book, Jesus is a historical figure. Student is a person with her own beliefs and freedom of speech. Students and others can take from it what they wish. If they can have Hollywood uneducated actors give speeches, then certainly a student can say what she thinks is right. Do we know what she is saying? Is she asking students to pray and thank Jesus for finishing college? Live and let live, she was chosen to give a speech, let her give HER speech.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm opposed to this type of thing. I was at a seminar for work, and at the lunch, someone gave a benediction thanking Jesus for the food. We were asked to bow our heads at the start of his little spiel, and when he got to the Jesus Christ part, I felt manipulated into participating in a Christian prayer that is antithetical to my beliefs.

I would have walked over and refilled my coffee cup and checked my phone until they were done.

And you would have looked exceptionally rude, immature and unprofessional to everyone in attendance, including all the grown up atheists, agnostics and people of non Christian religions.

No more unprofessional than someone shoving religion down your throat AT WORK.

Seriously. Would you believe I have to follow all sorts of rules about the kosher kitchen at work?

Oh, wait. That's right. It's not a big deal and I'm fine following the rules to keep the kitchen and its contents kosher, even if I don't share any of the beliefs.

I also don't freak out when there are invited (male) speakers who will shake the hands of men but not women. It's their religion, no skin off my nose.

You are CLUELESS. Being asked to follow the rules of a kosher kitchen does not violate your religious beliefs. A Jew being asked to pray in the name of "our Savior Jesus Chrisf" is being asked to violate his religious beliefs. Not the same thing at all.

A better analogy would be if a Jew got up to give the benediction at a work function, asked all in attendance to bow their heads, and then lead a prayer affirming that Jesus was a mortal man and NOT the son of God. (Not that Jews have that kind of prayer. They make no reference to. Jesus at all.)

Unless they're holding a gun to your head and forcing you to pray, you're fine. I'm an atheist. When someone asks us to hold hands, or bow our heads, I know what's coming because I'm not an idiot. And I politely, quietly, respectfully, allow others to have their moment. No forced conversions yet, so I think we're doing ok.

"Let us pray" or "Please bow your heads while I offer a blessing" are not followed by "or I'll kill you for being a heretic."

Wow. Does it have to be that obviously extreme for it to be inappropriate? Remember, this isn't in a person's private home (I've been invited to Christian homes for dinner and they do the Jesus thing, and I'm OK with it because it's their home) but NOT on the job.

OK, would this be wrong: In a job setting, where there are gay married employees, for a speaker to get up at a lunch (where all employees are required to be) and say, "and we affirm that marriage is between a man and a woman, amen." Are they requiring the gay people to get divorced? To split up? To "change" their ways? NO. But they are telling them that they are wrong, and that is rude and insensitive. And because it is in a job setting, and a prayer the management approved, it is also conveying that the gay married people are "less than" the straight people, who have it right. Not a good message to send to employees.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm opposed to this type of thing. I was at a seminar for work, and at the lunch, someone gave a benediction thanking Jesus for the food. We were asked to bow our heads at the start of his little spiel, and when he got to the Jesus Christ part, I felt manipulated into participating in a Christian prayer that is antithetical to my beliefs.

I would have walked over and refilled my coffee cup and checked my phone until they were done.

And you would have looked exceptionally rude, immature and unprofessional to everyone in attendance, including all the grown up atheists, agnostics and people of non Christian religions.

No more unprofessional than someone shoving religion down your throat AT WORK.

Yes. I wonder if these posters who are saying that Jews and Muslims should be just fine being asked to bow their heads in prayer, only to learn that they have been asked to thank Jesus - at a WORK function - are Christian.

What about if a prayer was offered to the “Goddess Lakshmi, Mother of us All”? What if you only believe in one God, no Goddesses, and certainly don’t think Lakshmi is your mother in any way. Would you wonder why they were doing this in a secular setting?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm opposed to this type of thing. I was at a seminar for work, and at the lunch, someone gave a benediction thanking Jesus for the food. We were asked to bow our heads at the start of his little spiel, and when he got to the Jesus Christ part, I felt manipulated into participating in a Christian prayer that is antithetical to my beliefs.

I would have walked over and refilled my coffee cup and checked my phone until they were done.

And you would have looked exceptionally rude, immature and unprofessional to everyone in attendance, including all the grown up atheists, agnostics and people of non Christian religions.

No more unprofessional than someone shoving religion down your throat AT WORK.

Seriously. Would you believe I have to follow all sorts of rules about the kosher kitchen at work?

Oh, wait. That's right. It's not a big deal and I'm fine following the rules to keep the kitchen and its contents kosher, even if I don't share any of the beliefs.

I also don't freak out when there are invited (male) speakers who will shake the hands of men but not women. It's their religion, no skin off my nose.

You are CLUELESS. Being asked to follow the rules of a kosher kitchen does not violate your religious beliefs. A Jew being asked to pray in the name of "our Savior Jesus Chrisf" is being asked to violate his religious beliefs. Not the same thing at all.

A better analogy would be if a Jew got up to give the benediction at a work function, asked all in attendance to bow their heads, and then lead a prayer affirming that Jesus was a mortal man and NOT the son of God. (Not that Jews have that kind of prayer. They make no reference to. Jesus at all.)

Unless they're holding a gun to your head and forcing you to pray, you're fine. I'm an atheist. When someone asks us to hold hands, or bow our heads, I know what's coming because I'm not an idiot. And I politely, quietly, respectfully, allow others to have their moment. No forced conversions yet, so I think we're doing ok.

"Let us pray" or "Please bow your heads while I offer a blessing" are not followed by "or I'll kill you for being a heretic."

Still not the same when it is at work, as the employer is sanctioning one religion over the other.

When I go to a Christian funeral or wedding, I expect to hear about Jesus and sit respectfully. But completely inappropriate in a work setting, when no religion should take priority over another.

And no, if I were asked to bow my head in a work setting, I would NOT expect it to be followed by Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Given that we would be in a room of Jews, Muslims, Hindus, maybe Buddhists, I would expect a very generic "we appreciate this food" type of thing.

Unless you work for the federal government, your expectation is simply wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm opposed to this type of thing. I was at a seminar for work, and at the lunch, someone gave a benediction thanking Jesus for the food. We were asked to bow our heads at the start of his little spiel, and when he got to the Jesus Christ part, I felt manipulated into participating in a Christian prayer that is antithetical to my beliefs.

I would have walked over and refilled my coffee cup and checked my phone until they were done.

And you would have looked exceptionally rude, immature and unprofessional to everyone in attendance, including all the grown up atheists, agnostics and people of non Christian religions.

No more unprofessional than someone shoving religion down your throat AT WORK.

Yes. I wonder if these posters who are saying that Jews and Muslims should be just fine being asked to bow their heads in prayer, only to learn that they have been asked to thank Jesus - at a WORK function - are Christian.

What about if a prayer was offered to the “Goddess Lakshmi, Mother of us All”? What if you only believe in one God, no Goddesses, and certainly don’t think Lakshmi is your mother in any way. Would you wonder why they were doing this in a secular setting?

I actually went to an event that included a buddhist monk leading the prayer.

I sat respectfully and prayed a rosary in my mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm opposed to this type of thing. I was at a seminar for work, and at the lunch, someone gave a benediction thanking Jesus for the food. We were asked to bow our heads at the start of his little spiel, and when he got to the Jesus Christ part, I felt manipulated into participating in a Christian prayer that is antithetical to my beliefs.

I would have walked over and refilled my coffee cup and checked my phone until they were done.

And you would have looked exceptionally rude, immature and unprofessional to everyone in attendance, including all the grown up atheists, agnostics and people of non Christian religions.

No more unprofessional than someone shoving religion down your throat AT WORK.

Seriously. Would you believe I have to follow all sorts of rules about the kosher kitchen at work?

Oh, wait. That's right. It's not a big deal and I'm fine following the rules to keep the kitchen and its contents kosher, even if I don't share any of the beliefs.

I also don't freak out when there are invited (male) speakers who will shake the hands of men but not women. It's their religion, no skin off my nose.

You are CLUELESS. Being asked to follow the rules of a kosher kitchen does not violate your religious beliefs. A Jew being asked to pray in the name of "our Savior Jesus Chrisf" is being asked to violate his religious beliefs. Not the same thing at all.

A better analogy would be if a Jew got up to give the benediction at a work function, asked all in attendance to bow their heads, and then lead a prayer affirming that Jesus was a mortal man and NOT the son of God. (Not that Jews have that kind of prayer. They make no reference to. Jesus at all.)

Unless they're holding a gun to your head and forcing you to pray, you're fine. I'm an atheist. When someone asks us to hold hands, or bow our heads, I know what's coming because I'm not an idiot. And I politely, quietly, respectfully, allow others to have their moment. No forced conversions yet, so I think we're doing ok.

"Let us pray" or "Please bow your heads while I offer a blessing" are not followed by "or I'll kill you for being a heretic."

Wow. Does it have to be that obviously extreme for it to be inappropriate? Remember, this isn't in a person's private home (I've been invited to Christian homes for dinner and they do the Jesus thing, and I'm OK with it because it's their home) but NOT on the job.

OK, would this be wrong: In a job setting, where there are gay married employees, for a speaker to get up at a lunch (where all employees are required to be) and say, "and we affirm that marriage is between a man and a woman, amen." Are they requiring the gay people to get divorced? To split up? To "change" their ways? NO. But they are telling them that they are wrong, and that is rude and insensitive. And because it is in a job setting, and a prayer the management approved, it is also conveying that the gay married people are "less than" the straight people, who have it right. Not a good message to send to employees.

If it a non government company of business conference, they can pray or not pray in any manner they want.

You are also welcome to just sit quietly, or you are welcome to not work there.

[Anonymous]

^^ or, not of.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm opposed to this type of thing. I was at a seminar for work, and at the lunch, someone gave a benediction thanking Jesus for the food. We were asked to bow our heads at the start of his little spiel, and when he got to the Jesus Christ part, I felt manipulated into participating in a Christian prayer that is antithetical to my beliefs.

I would have walked over and refilled my coffee cup and checked my phone until they were done.

And you would have looked exceptionally rude, immature and unprofessional to everyone in attendance, including all the grown up atheists, agnostics and people of non Christian religions.

No more unprofessional than someone shoving religion down your throat AT WORK.

Yes. I wonder if these posters who are saying that Jews and Muslims should be just fine being asked to bow their heads in prayer, only to learn that they have been asked to thank Jesus - at a WORK function - are Christian.

What about if a prayer was offered to the “Goddess Lakshmi, Mother of us All”? What if you only believe in one God, no Goddesses, and certainly don’t think Lakshmi is your mother in any way. Would you wonder why they were doing this in a secular setting?

Sit silently and pray to God, or make an @ss of myself and then stew in my bitter juices about a 30 second prayer that has no impact on my life?

I am a thinking adult that is saved by the blood of Jesus. The Goddess is zero. So, I win. Problem solved.