Help settle a debate about saying grace

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't have to respect their beliefs, but there is no way to respectfully ask people to refrain from praying. They will be offended. There's a big difference between not being religious and being so offended by other people's religion that you fee compelled to prevent them from practicing it in your presence.

Exactly.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I invite people I care about to enjoy a meal with me at my home or a restaurant, I want them to be comfortable and I want to enjoy time in their presence.

At home, being a host isn’t about the host imposing their rules on their guests. The host is supposed to accommodate their guests.

I don’t tell anyone what they can or cannot do in regards to their beliefs. If I invited a vegan to my home, am I going to insist that they eat meat because I do and my wishes are running the get together, because I am the host? No, I accommodate my guest by serving vegan dishes, because I invited my vegan guest to dinner. When I invite someone to my house, I am making a huge effort to provide them with a nice memory.

I consider it a privilege for my friends to feel comfortable around me and to live their lives authentically.

If I care about someone enough to schedule a meal with them as a pleasant activity, the last thing I am going to do is stress out over prayer and who tells who what to do, etc.
You are going to make a big deal and ruin a get together over something that isn’t a big deal? Somehow I don’t think people who would do this really respect or care about their friends or family.

And remember: the host accommodates the guests, not the other way around.

Disagree in these circumstances

If you personally as a host want to accommodate your vegan guests by planning a vegan centric menu then that’s great for you. Nevertheless if a vegan is invited to a dinner as one of a larger group it’s just plain rude for them to expect/request the host prepare a vegan-centric meal or to make a big show over their diet restrictions during the meal. The same principle is true for an invited dinner guest expecting everyone to accommodate them in observing a collective prayer before a meal rather than just discretely saying a silent prayer themselves.

On the flip side, as a vegan hosting a meal you shouldn’t be expected to prepare meat dishes for your carnivore loving friends and should feel free to serve them a meal adapted to your diet, just as you should be free to continue to observe a tradition of saying a collective grace before a meal in your own home even if guests are present m.

I think the equivalent situation here would be for the vegan to bring their own food which is appropriate if the host has not prepared any or enough vegan food (say, the guest wants something with protein and not just lettuce and carrots). If the food is not vegan, the vegan cannot eat, due to their beliefs. Similarly, the religious person does not feel right eating without saying a prayer thanking God. In both cases, the vegan/prayerful person should be respectful and quiet, not making a big show. However, they should be able to say a verbal prayer if they wish, or explain they have their own tofu dish, and everyone should respect them with no obligation to participate.

Mostly agree but (as you suggest) the vegan/praying guests should strive to be as unobtrusive as possible in meeting their specific needs without unduly imposing on others or usurping the host.

As a Christian myself I’d personally reject the idea that a prayer before meals must be voiced out loud in front of a non religious group and certainly wouldn’t expect others to wait to eat.

Hit send too soon, but +1

[Anonymous]

No one is ‘banning’ people from praying. There is no rule that prayer must be loud and proud, it is just as effective when silent.

The ‘freedom’ poster(s) seem over the top here, since their freedom is absolutely preserved. It just doesn’t need to be pushed o to others who don’t participate.

If someone (whatever religion) wants to say a silent prayer before their meal, more power to them! I have close friends who are Muslim and while they don’t pray before a meal, they often do at other times (outside of the normal daily times, for example when they see an animal hit by a car). It’s important to them to them, so they do it, but they aren’t stopping traffic or making a big scene, or sh!tting in other people for not participating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What religion sacrifices animals before eating? Do you do that at your friend’s houses?

I sacrifice a cocktail before eating when I’m at my friends’ houses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you should go with the hosts preference. That is the polite thing to do. At the same time, I would not object to a friend wanting to say grace in my home. If everyone is reasonable, then things are fine. But as the another post in this forum shows, many people here feel like it's their RIGHT to do whatever/whenever in the name of freedom.

There's a big difference between not being religious and being so offended by other people's religion that you feel compelled to prevent them from practicing it in your presence.

Why would you not want your friends to say a 15-30 prayer of gratitude and thanks in your home (where you invited them to be) and respect their beliefs?

People DO have the freedom to practice their religion (or to not practice a religion) and it’s a great privilege to have the freedom to do so.

Why are we against freedom?

Why is freedom a bad thing?

People are free to speak and practice whatever religion they choose- or choose to not practice a religion.

I don’t think I have ever encountered people who think this is a negative thing before, ever.

“The constitutional freedom of religion [is] the most inalienable and sacred of all human rights." --Thomas Jefferson: Virginia Board of Visitors Minutes, 1819.


"Among the most inestimable of our blessings, also, is that... of liberty to worship our Creator in the way we think most agreeable to His will; a liberty deemed in other countries incompatible with good government and yet proved by our experience to be its best support." --Thomas Jefferson: Reply to John Thomas et al., 1807.


"In our early struggles for liberty, religious freedom could not fail to become a primary object." --Thomas Jefferson to Baltimore Baptists, 1808.


"Religion, as well as reason, confirms the soundness of those principles on which our government has been founded and its rights asserted." --Thomas Jefferson to P. H. Wendover, 1815.


"One of the amendments to the Constitution... expressly declares that 'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press,' thereby guarding in the same sentence and under the same words, the freedom of religion, of speech, and of the press; insomuch that whatever violates either throws down the sanctuary which covers the others." --Thomas Jefferson: Draft Kentucky Resolutions, 1798.

Holy smokes. I am not inviting this person to my house for any reason.

Legit LOL

[Anonymous]

I agree with the latter. I have a super religious person in my family who says grace at every meal. No one whose dues this. It’s weird abd awkward. In a restaurant it’s due right embarrassing, in someone else’s home it’s rude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you should go with the hosts preference. That is the polite thing to do. At the same time, I would not object to a friend wanting to say grace in my home. If everyone is reasonable, then things are fine. But as the another post in this forum shows, many people here feel like it's their RIGHT to do whatever/whenever in the name of freedom.

There's a big difference between not being religious and being so offended by other people's religion that you feel compelled to prevent them from practicing it in your presence.

Why would you not want your friends to say a 15-30 prayer of gratitude and thanks in your home (where you invited them to be) and respect their beliefs?

People DO have the freedom to practice their religion (or to not practice a religion) and it’s a great privilege to have the freedom to do so.

Why are we against freedom?

Why is freedom a bad thing?

People are free to speak and practice whatever religion they choose- or choose to not practice a religion.

I don’t think I have ever encountered people who think this is a negative thing before, ever.

“The constitutional freedom of religion [is] the most inalienable and sacred of all human rights." --Thomas Jefferson: Virginia Board of Visitors Minutes, 1819.


"Among the most inestimable of our blessings, also, is that... of liberty to worship our Creator in the way we think most agreeable to His will; a liberty deemed in other countries incompatible with good government and yet proved by our experience to be its best support." --Thomas Jefferson: Reply to John Thomas et al., 1807.


"In our early struggles for liberty, religious freedom could not fail to become a primary object." --Thomas Jefferson to Baltimore Baptists, 1808.


"Religion, as well as reason, confirms the soundness of those principles on which our government has been founded and its rights asserted." --Thomas Jefferson to P. H. Wendover, 1815.


"One of the amendments to the Constitution... expressly declares that 'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press,' thereby guarding in the same sentence and under the same words, the freedom of religion, of speech, and of the press; insomuch that whatever violates either throws down the sanctuary which covers the others." --Thomas Jefferson: Draft Kentucky Resolutions, 1798.

I mean sure, but the rest of us don't have to sit around quietly with our heads bowed. If someone at my table wants to say a prayer silently before they eat with their head bowed and hands folded, go for it. I don't feel the need to stop my conversation with the person next to me for that and bow my head along with them. That's my freedom not to and I'm sure you agree with me.

I mean personally I am not going to eat until everyone at the table is ready to eat. If we go in a group to a restaurant, order in a group, and another diner’s food is late, I don’t eat until they have the meal they ordered. I think it’s rude to eat in front of a friend who is waiting for their food and hungry also. That’s just my level of manners and empathy, and I know it’s not something everyone else feels necessary.

Of course you have every right to not pray and can eat whenever you wish. You have no responsibility or duty to pray with anyone.

That’s why it’s ridiculous to debate whether or not we can “allow” someone to pray at our homes or at a restaurant.

I am glad to live in a country where everyone can live their life as they wish. It’s truly a privilege to have these freedoms.

op should realize that they don’t control what their guests do, and to try to control them is exceptionally rude, especially as the purpose of inviting someone to your home is to have a mutually pleasant experience and share a meal.

Not talking about eating before everyone else. If I'm in a conversation with someone at the table and someone else starts to pray out loud I'm not going to stop my conversation and pretend to join in. Love my freedoms. You go ahead and do you. I'll do me.

Anyone can pray at any time. Just like anyone can curse at any time. Or sing a song. Or recite a poem. All silently, no one else needs to be drawn into it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't have to respect their beliefs, but there is no way to respectfully ask people to refrain from praying. They will be offended. There's a big difference between not being religious and being so offended by other people's religion that you fee compelled to prevent them from practicing it in your presence.

Exactly.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I invite people I care about to enjoy a meal with me at my home or a restaurant, I want them to be comfortable and I want to enjoy time in their presence.

At home, being a host isn’t about the host imposing their rules on their guests. The host is supposed to accommodate their guests.

I don’t tell anyone what they can or cannot do in regards to their beliefs. If I invited a vegan to my home, am I going to insist that they eat meat because I do and my wishes are running the get together, because I am the host? No, I accommodate my guest by serving vegan dishes, because I invited my vegan guest to dinner. When I invite someone to my house, I am making a huge effort to provide them with a nice memory.

I consider it a privilege for my friends to feel comfortable around me and to live their lives authentically.

If I care about someone enough to schedule a meal with them as a pleasant activity, the last thing I am going to do is stress out over prayer and who tells who what to do, etc.
You are going to make a big deal and ruin a get together over something that isn’t a big deal? Somehow I don’t think people who would do this really respect or care about their friends or family.

And remember: the host accommodates the guests, not the other way around.

Disagree in these circumstances

If you personally as a host want to accommodate your vegan guests by planning a vegan centric menu then that’s great for you. Nevertheless if a vegan is invited to a dinner as one of a larger group it’s just plain rude for them to expect/request the host prepare a vegan-centric meal or to make a big show over their diet restrictions during the meal. The same principle is true for an invited dinner guest expecting everyone to accommodate them in observing a collective prayer before a meal rather than just discretely saying a silent prayer themselves.

On the flip side, as a vegan hosting a meal you shouldn’t be expected to prepare meat dishes for your carnivore loving friends and should feel free to serve them a meal adapted to your diet, just as you should be free to continue to observe a tradition of saying a collective grace before a meal in your own home even if guests are present m.

I think the equivalent situation here would be for the vegan to bring their own food which is appropriate if the host has not prepared any or enough vegan food (say, the guest wants something with protein and not just lettuce and carrots). If the food is not vegan, the vegan cannot eat, due to their beliefs. Similarly, the religious person does not feel right eating without saying a prayer thanking God. In both cases, the vegan/prayerful person should be respectful and quiet, not making a big show. However, they should be able to say a verbal prayer if they wish, or explain they have their own tofu dish, and everyone should respect them with no obligation to participate.

This is a great analogy, pp. Another analogy would be the Jewish or Muslim person bringing a chicken dish to the pig roast.

Who on earth would invite observant Jews or Muslims to a pig roast?

It’s been done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am not Christian. I don’t mind at all if someone would like to say grace. I’m more than happy to wait respectfully. I am not happy to bow my head or be expected to participate in the prayer or otherwise be involved.

Same. Whoever wants to pray to whatever imaginary person can do so. As long as I don’t need to do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm an atheist. If someone invited to dinner wants to say a quick prayer before their meal, they are welcome to. I would appreciate a heads up, so that I can let everyone know that Suzy would like to say a prayer, and could we all be quiet before starting dinner. If out at a restaurant, I would refrain from eating while they said their prayer.

This is not onerous. I don't see what the problem is with letting someone go ahead with their prayer. It's not like it's harming anyone.

So the people of different beliefs should not be respected? Why can’t the person with the belief pray quietly, and be thankful to their God quietly? Then everybody can deal with it on their own terms in accordance with their own beliefs.

I mean this example in a public place with a mixed group, not in a private home.

Atheist PP. I don't see how it is disrespectful to people of different beliefs to allow one or more people in a group to say grace. I would be equally open to any other prayer; it doesn't require participation, just not being rude.

Great idea! So then the atheist can say "well there is no evidence of a god, but man do those jalepeno poppers look good, I am eager to eat them!" That should not offend anyone, right?

The majority of prominent conceptions of God explicitly or effectively posit a being whose existence is not testable either by proof or disproof. Therefore, the question of God's existence may lie outside the purview of modern science by definition.

Why would you bring up something at a meal with friends that illustrates how dumb you are?

Someone who does not believe in a god is dumb?

Also, where do you see the word "proof" in the post you are replying to?

Here's the answer: you don't! You are being dishonest and straw-man-ing.

You are advertising your ignorance regarding this subject. I would tell you that you should not do so, but I don’t think you have to worry about being invited to meals with friends very often, if ever.

Can you guys knock off the bickering and insults? This isn't a question about whether god exists.

Or just knock off the completely off topic stuff. There's been a plethora of that in the past few days. Maybe just let the OP get their answers without dragging their thread into an argument?

[Anonymous]

So the poster who claimed that sacrificing a white chicken at dinner was part of practicing their religion never explained what religion they practice and why sacrificing an animal at dinner was important to them in a religious context?

I do wish people would be genuine and not troll, it adds nothing but ridiculousness and stupidity to the conversation.

The only modern “religions” that require animal sacrifice are scary. If pp is sacrificing animals for real they are involved in a religious cult that uses blood and death to make deals and placate supernatural elements that are harmful and dangerous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you should go with the hosts preference. That is the polite thing to do. At the same time, I would not object to a friend wanting to say grace in my home. If everyone is reasonable, then things are fine. But as the another post in this forum shows, many people here feel like it's their RIGHT to do whatever/whenever in the name of freedom.

There's a big difference between not being religious and being so offended by other people's religion that you feel compelled to prevent them from practicing it in your presence.

Why would you not want your friends to say a 15-30 prayer of gratitude and thanks in your home (where you invited them to be) and respect their beliefs?

People DO have the freedom to practice their religion (or to not practice a religion) and it’s a great privilege to have the freedom to do so.

Why are we against freedom?

Why is freedom a bad thing?

People are free to speak and practice whatever religion they choose- or choose to not practice a religion.

I don’t think I have ever encountered people who think this is a negative thing before, ever.

“The constitutional freedom of religion [is] the most inalienable and sacred of all human rights." --Thomas Jefferson: Virginia Board of Visitors Minutes, 1819.


"Among the most inestimable of our blessings, also, is that... of liberty to worship our Creator in the way we think most agreeable to His will; a liberty deemed in other countries incompatible with good government and yet proved by our experience to be its best support." --Thomas Jefferson: Reply to John Thomas et al., 1807.


"In our early struggles for liberty, religious freedom could not fail to become a primary object." --Thomas Jefferson to Baltimore Baptists, 1808.


"Religion, as well as reason, confirms the soundness of those principles on which our government has been founded and its rights asserted." --Thomas Jefferson to P. H. Wendover, 1815.


"One of the amendments to the Constitution... expressly declares that 'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press,' thereby guarding in the same sentence and under the same words, the freedom of religion, of speech, and of the press; insomuch that whatever violates either throws down the sanctuary which covers the others." --Thomas Jefferson: Draft Kentucky Resolutions, 1798.

I mean sure, but the rest of us don't have to sit around quietly with our heads bowed. If someone at my table wants to say a prayer silently before they eat with their head bowed and hands folded, go for it. I don't feel the need to stop my conversation with the person next to me for that and bow my head along with them. That's my freedom not to and I'm sure you agree with me.

This 100%. [/b][/i]It has nothing to do with denying someone their freedom to pray.[b][i] Everybody else doesn't need to stop what they are doing in order for someone else to pray.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you should go with the hosts preference. That is the polite thing to do. At the same time, I would not object to a friend wanting to say grace in my home. If everyone is reasonable, then things are fine. But as the another post in this forum shows, many people here feel like it's their RIGHT to do whatever/whenever in the name of freedom.

There's a big difference between not being religious and being so offended by other people's religion that you feel compelled to prevent them from practicing it in your presence.

Why would you not want your friends to say a 15-30 prayer of gratitude and thanks in your home (where you invited them to be) and respect their beliefs?

People DO have the freedom to practice their religion (or to not practice a religion) and it’s a great privilege to have the freedom to do so.

Why are we against freedom?

Why is freedom a bad thing?

People are free to speak and practice whatever religion they choose- or choose to not practice a religion.

I don’t think I have ever encountered people who think this is a negative thing before, ever.

“The constitutional freedom of religion [is] the most inalienable and sacred of all human rights." --Thomas Jefferson: Virginia Board of Visitors Minutes, 1819.


"Among the most inestimable of our blessings, also, is that... of liberty to worship our Creator in the way we think most agreeable to His will; a liberty deemed in other countries incompatible with good government and yet proved by our experience to be its best support." --Thomas Jefferson: Reply to John Thomas et al., 1807.


"In our early struggles for liberty, religious freedom could not fail to become a primary object." --Thomas Jefferson to Baltimore Baptists, 1808.


"Religion, as well as reason, confirms the soundness of those principles on which our government has been founded and its rights asserted." --Thomas Jefferson to P. H. Wendover, 1815.


"One of the amendments to the Constitution... expressly declares that 'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press,' thereby guarding in the same sentence and under the same words, the freedom of religion, of speech, and of the press; insomuch that whatever violates either throws down the sanctuary which covers the others." --Thomas Jefferson: Draft Kentucky Resolutions, 1798.

I mean sure, but the rest of us don't have to sit around quietly with our heads bowed. If someone at my table wants to say a prayer silently before they eat with their head bowed and hands folded, go for it. I don't feel the need to stop my conversation with the person next to me for that and bow my head along with them. That's my freedom not to and I'm sure you agree with me.

I mean personally I am not going to eat until everyone at the table is ready to eat. If we go in a group to a restaurant, order in a group, and another diner’s food is late, I don’t eat until they have the meal they ordered. I think it’s rude to eat in front of a friend who is waiting for their food and hungry also. That’s just my level of manners and empathy, and I know it’s not something everyone else feels necessary.

Of course you have every right to not pray and can eat whenever you wish. You have no responsibility or duty to pray with anyone.

That’s why it’s ridiculous to debate whether or not we can “allow” someone to pray at our homes or at a restaurant.

I am glad to live in a country where everyone can live their life as they wish. It’s truly a privilege to have these freedoms.

op should realize that they don’t control what their guests do, and to try to control them is exceptionally rude, especially as the purpose of inviting someone to your home is to have a mutually pleasant experience and share a meal.

Not talking about eating before everyone else. If I'm in a conversation with someone at the table and someone else starts to pray out loud I'm not going to stop my conversation and pretend to join in. Love my freedoms. You go ahead and do you. I'll do me.

Anyone can pray at any time. Just like anyone can curse at any time. Or sing a song. Or recite a poem. All silently, no one else needs to be drawn into it.

I wonder how many of these hypotheticals on any side have actually been experienced by the people posting them.

Anyway, would you be respectful of somebody else's prayers/vegan food/no-pork preferences? Or would you curse during the silent prayer and dribble BBQ sauce over their plate as you help yourself to the pork?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am having a disagreement with my spouse about saying grace in a setting where not everyone is a "grace sayer."

One of us thinks that people who say grace should be able to say it wherever they are, including at someone else's house (who do not say grace) or at a restaurant with others who do not participate in this practice. This person thinks that everyone else should respectfully remain silent and refrain from eating until the grace has been said.

The other of us thinks that saying grace in a "mixed" situation is a bit obtuse, and that those who customarily say grace can forgo it on these occasions or quietly say it in their head, but they should not say grace aloud and not expect others to delay their dining.

What does DCUM think?

Say this grace....

Rub a Dub! Dub!
Thanks for the grub!
YAAAAAY GOD!!

The kids like it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you should go with the hosts preference. That is the polite thing to do. At the same time, I would not object to a friend wanting to say grace in my home. If everyone is reasonable, then things are fine. But as the another post in this forum shows, many people here feel like it's their RIGHT to do whatever/whenever in the name of freedom.

There's a big difference between not being religious and being so offended by other people's religion that you feel compelled to prevent them from practicing it in your presence.

Why would you not want your friends to say a 15-30 prayer of gratitude and thanks in your home (where you invited them to be) and respect their beliefs?

People DO have the freedom to practice their religion (or to not practice a religion) and it’s a great privilege to have the freedom to do so.

Why are we against freedom?

Why is freedom a bad thing?

People are free to speak and practice whatever religion they choose- or choose to not practice a religion.

I don’t think I have ever encountered people who think this is a negative thing before, ever.

“The constitutional freedom of religion [is] the most inalienable and sacred of all human rights." --Thomas Jefferson: Virginia Board of Visitors Minutes, 1819.


"Among the most inestimable of our blessings, also, is that... of liberty to worship our Creator in the way we think most agreeable to His will; a liberty deemed in other countries incompatible with good government and yet proved by our experience to be its best support." --Thomas Jefferson: Reply to John Thomas et al., 1807.


"In our early struggles for liberty, religious freedom could not fail to become a primary object." --Thomas Jefferson to Baltimore Baptists, 1808.


"Religion, as well as reason, confirms the soundness of those principles on which our government has been founded and its rights asserted." --Thomas Jefferson to P. H. Wendover, 1815.


"One of the amendments to the Constitution... expressly declares that 'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press,' thereby guarding in the same sentence and under the same words, the freedom of religion, of speech, and of the press; insomuch that whatever violates either throws down the sanctuary which covers the others." --Thomas Jefferson: Draft Kentucky Resolutions, 1798.

I mean sure, but the rest of us don't have to sit around quietly with our heads bowed. If someone at my table wants to say a prayer silently before they eat with their head bowed and hands folded, go for it. I don't feel the need to stop my conversation with the person next to me for that and bow my head along with them. That's my freedom not to and I'm sure you agree with me.

I mean personally I am not going to eat until everyone at the table is ready to eat. If we go in a group to a restaurant, order in a group, and another diner’s food is late, I don’t eat until they have the meal they ordered. I think it’s rude to eat in front of a friend who is waiting for their food and hungry also. That’s just my level of manners and empathy, and I know it’s not something everyone else feels necessary.

Of course you have every right to not pray and can eat whenever you wish. You have no responsibility or duty to pray with anyone.

That’s why it’s ridiculous to debate whether or not we can “allow” someone to pray at our homes or at a restaurant.

I am glad to live in a country where everyone can live their life as they wish. It’s truly a privilege to have these freedoms.

op should realize that they don’t control what their guests do, and to try to control them is exceptionally rude, especially as the purpose of inviting someone to your home is to have a mutually pleasant experience and share a meal.

Not talking about eating before everyone else. If I'm in a conversation with someone at the table and someone else starts to pray out loud I'm not going to stop my conversation and pretend to join in. Love my freedoms. You go ahead and do you. I'll do me.

Anyone can pray at any time. Just like anyone can curse at any time. Or sing a song. Or recite a poem. All silently, no one else needs to be drawn into it.

I wonder how many of these hypotheticals on any side have actually been experienced by the people posting them.

Anyway, would you be respectful of somebody else's prayers/vegan food/no-pork preferences? Or would you curse during the silent prayer and dribble BBQ sauce over their plate as you help yourself to the pork?

Stop being argumentative, please. I think we've established that a silent prayer would be just fine, which answers OP's question,

It's kind of too bad this was moved to the Religion forum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you should go with the hosts preference. That is the polite thing to do. At the same time, I would not object to a friend wanting to say grace in my home. If everyone is reasonable, then things are fine. But as the another post in this forum shows, many people here feel like it's their RIGHT to do whatever/whenever in the name of freedom.

There's a big difference between not being religious and being so offended by other people's religion that you feel compelled to prevent them from practicing it in your presence.

Why would you not want your friends to say a 15-30 prayer of gratitude and thanks in your home (where you invited them to be) and respect their beliefs?

People DO have the freedom to practice their religion (or to not practice a religion) and it’s a great privilege to have the freedom to do so.

Why are we against freedom?

Why is freedom a bad thing?

People are free to speak and practice whatever religion they choose- or choose to not practice a religion.

I don’t think I have ever encountered people who think this is a negative thing before, ever.

“The constitutional freedom of religion [is] the most inalienable and sacred of all human rights." --Thomas Jefferson: Virginia Board of Visitors Minutes, 1819.


"Among the most inestimable of our blessings, also, is that... of liberty to worship our Creator in the way we think most agreeable to His will; a liberty deemed in other countries incompatible with good government and yet proved by our experience to be its best support." --Thomas Jefferson: Reply to John Thomas et al., 1807.


"In our early struggles for liberty, religious freedom could not fail to become a primary object." --Thomas Jefferson to Baltimore Baptists, 1808.


"Religion, as well as reason, confirms the soundness of those principles on which our government has been founded and its rights asserted." --Thomas Jefferson to P. H. Wendover, 1815.


"One of the amendments to the Constitution... expressly declares that 'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press,' thereby guarding in the same sentence and under the same words, the freedom of religion, of speech, and of the press; insomuch that whatever violates either throws down the sanctuary which covers the others." --Thomas Jefferson: Draft Kentucky Resolutions, 1798.

I mean sure, but the rest of us don't have to sit around quietly with our heads bowed. If someone at my table wants to say a prayer silently before they eat with their head bowed and hands folded, go for it. I don't feel the need to stop my conversation with the person next to me for that and bow my head along with them. That's my freedom not to and I'm sure you agree with me.

I mean personally I am not going to eat until everyone at the table is ready to eat. If we go in a group to a restaurant, order in a group, and another diner’s food is late, I don’t eat until they have the meal they ordered. I think it’s rude to eat in front of a friend who is waiting for their food and hungry also. That’s just my level of manners and empathy, and I know it’s not something everyone else feels necessary.

Of course you have every right to not pray and can eat whenever you wish. You have no responsibility or duty to pray with anyone.

That’s why it’s ridiculous to debate whether or not we can “allow” someone to pray at our homes or at a restaurant.

I am glad to live in a country where everyone can live their life as they wish. It’s truly a privilege to have these freedoms.

op should realize that they don’t control what their guests do, and to try to control them is exceptionally rude, especially as the purpose of inviting someone to your home is to have a mutually pleasant experience and share a meal.

Not talking about eating before everyone else. If I'm in a conversation with someone at the table and someone else starts to pray out loud I'm not going to stop my conversation and pretend to join in. Love my freedoms. You go ahead and do you. I'll do me.

Anyone can pray at any time. Just like anyone can curse at any time. Or sing a song. Or recite a poem. All silently, no one else needs to be drawn into it.

I wonder how many of these hypotheticals on any side have actually been experienced by the people posting them.

Anyway, would you be respectful of somebody else's prayers/vegan food/no-pork preferences? Or would you curse during the silent prayer and dribble BBQ sauce over their plate as you help yourself to the pork?

Stop being argumentative, please. I think we've established that a silent prayer would be just fine, which answers OP's question,

It's kind of too bad this was moved to the Religion forum.

Not at all sure this was established. The pp right above wrote: "Not talking about eating before everyone else. If I'm in a conversation with someone at the table and someone else starts to pray out loud I'm not going to stop my conversation and pretend to join in. Love my freedoms. You go ahead and do you. I'll do me. Anyone can pray at any time. Just like anyone can curse at any time. Or sing a song. Or recite a poem. All silently, no one else needs to be drawn into it."