Hate to change the subject but...

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

Would this make any of you uncomfortable? And once again I hope that I am not in GD territory. If so, what the hell, Ed is my new best friend so moderators just leave it here anyway.

jusst kiddin. :smiley:

I work with several very nice ladies in my building. Our lunch hours correspond exactly and we all eat in the building lunch room at the same time each day. I have found myself in this situation more than a few times and the situation is this:

I have had as many as 3 people that pray a silent prayer over their tray of food at the same table at the same time, right in front of me. They are only inches across the table and beside me. Nothing wrong with praying, I do it myself sometimes. But it tends to make the non-prayer-at-the-time ( me in this case) uneasy for someone you are talking to, to just stop, bow their heads and have a minute of prayer. I don’t know why…it just makes me feel like I am intruding. I feel like a whore in church cause I am looking at the tops of their heads and poking food down my gullet like the Russians are in Fort Worth.

Maybe I am just not righteous enough for the bible belt I live in, but it seems to me that they could say those prayers before leaving their individual rooms/work stations. Wouldn’t they mean the same thing there? Doesn’t the bible say something about hiding your light under a bushel or something? What do you think?

And please don’t verbally bitch-slap me around about this one, because as you all can see me and Ed have had a hard day as it is.

They May Put Me In Prison, But They Can’t Stop My Face From Breakin’ Out

  • famous C&W song *

Yours truly,
aha

2

The Biblical passage you should call them on is Matthew 6:1-8…
[list=1][li]Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.[/li][li]Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.[/li][li]But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:[/li][li]That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.[/li][li]And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.[/li][li]But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.[/li][li]But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.[/li][li]Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.[/list=1][/li]That said, I think you’d be better served just letting them. I would venture that if you have a problem with someone praying in front of you before they have their meal (which happens every holiday for my family), IMHO, you’re being a tad too sensitive about the issue.

This is assuming that they’re not dousing you with holy water and spinning in circles on the ground like a breakdancer, of course…

Yer pal,
Satan

http://www.raleighmusic.com/board/Images/devil.gif

TIME ELAPSED SINCE I QUIT SMOKING:
Four days, 31 minutes and 15 seconds.
160 cigarettes not smoked, saving $20.11.
Life saved: 13 hours, 20 minutes.

3

Satan:

Hang in there on your fight with the evil nicotine…Your gonna beat it!

They May Put Me In Prison, But They Can’t Stop My Face From Breakin’ Out

  • famous C&W song *

Yours truly,
aha

4

Hey aha, does this mean you live in FW? More proof that the west side of the Metroplex is the cool side?!

If so, make sure you come to the next DFW IRL party!

As for your friends, unless they’re taking 1/2 an hour, just observe a moment of respectful silence. I had a friend who would do this, but she would usually say a little “excuse me” first.

I do not merely dance. I bewitch. I seduce. I enchant and I bewilder. Throw money.
(Gee, Wally must have seen me dance!)

5

Zyada:

I am just across the “red” in Oklahoma territory but I have spent many a night in Fort Worth. And I might just take you up on that. Please keep me appraised of the situation.

And yes…the west metroplex is the coolest!

One of the few who have been personally welcomed to this board by Ed Zotti.

Yours truly,
aha

6

Saying a prayer over their food? Is that like saying ‘Grace’? If it’s grace, leave it alone.
If it’s not, then quote scripture. Matthew 6: 1-8.
Thank you, Satan, for pointing it out. I will be using it soon.

7

I like zyada’s friend’s approach, that way both needs are being met, but if I were you, I’d let them say ‘grace’ over their meals and be glad someone wants to sit with me!

<<<<And please don’t verbally bitch-slap me around about this one, because as you all can see me and Ed have had a hard day as it is.>>>>

Man, can we have * no fun * around here anymore??? :smiley:

Judy (the * other Southerner * accept ** no ** imitations!)

“Please Disregard the Following.”

8

OK, when I came out of lurking I told myself not to get into religious arguments. But this is one I feel that some may be getting a bit too serious about. And by “serious”, I don’t mean “this is something that extremely bothers me”, but more in the line of “there is an argument, no matter how tangetial, that I can show the alternate point for”.

Its not a matter of “just letting them be”. In my experience with this, and its fairly extensive, these people are not trying to make a point. They’re not trying to force their grace and blessing upon their meal on “non-believers”. They’re just trying to spend their time eating their meal a bit more thankful to the being they feel responsible for giving it to them.

Again, this is my experience. But I think this pattern is a fairly common occurence (sp?).

Your question of whether they could say these prayers before they leave their workstations is legitimate. However, I think that if they were to do so, it would really take away from the meaning/sanctity/solemnity/deepness/personalization that they intend for the occasion. In this situation, it definitely seems that its not harming you or anyone else, let alone detract or inhibit you from eating your meal. I would strongly advise you to leave well enough alone from any sort of confrontation, especially considerin that this is a lunch hour designed for the purpose of NOT being a paid work-time. Even if it was, I don’t think its within your boundaries to step into this forum.

But the fact is, looking at your intial question about whether it would make someone uncomfortable, it does make people uncomfortable. I consider myself a fairly devout Catholic, but I don’t make a habit of taking a designated time to bless my food before I eat it. I admire those who do, but I’m not it that habit. The guilt here is much more applicable to me than it is to you in this situation. In THAT respect, I still don’t feel the uncomfortability that you do, as far as I can see. I would imagine that you don’t so much feel guilt, as you do an apprehension to strike up a conversation or other dialogue with this person, in fear/apprehension that they will turn the jist of the dialogue to a religious or other inquisatory (sorry about the spelling) topic.
All of this is legitimate. None of the points I’ve raised are meant to be deragotory or condemning in any way. But, IMO, they are points that answer/address your questions. I hope that they help, and help you see their point of view.

In summary (if there can be a summary for this ridiculously long post), you’re not wrong in thinking these things, but, for the most part, these are actions of people who do things not for the benefit/preaching/example of heathens/non-believers (whatever they want to call it), but for themselves. Please let them pray in peace. It may be the only moment all day they have to collect themselves and gather their thoughts for a moment they’ve personally been waiting for all day.

Sala, can’t you count?!? I said NO camals! That’s FIVE camals!

9

Anti, you are from Atlanta. Next time we (SDMB) have a get together you will have to come. Of course, I have to come as well, since I did miss the first one. Maybe later this summer when Kimberly is out of the hospital.

Conner, I like the Raiders of the Lost Ark sig.

Jeffery

10

Personally, “whore in church” is one of my favorite feelings—I’d say sit back and enjoy it!

11

You could poke them repeatedly and say, “Hey,HEY,HEY!!! Ya praying for me?”

12

You made me laugh out loud pundit. :smiley:

Hi, aha, how the hell are ya? Glad to have you here.
Ed Zotti

13

**

Aha:

Here is a serious answer, straight from the horse’s mouth (so to speak). Connor is right, they aren’t trying to get in your face, they are just trying to say a prayer over their meal. Some of them may even be doing it against their own wishes, because they believe God commands it of them.

I used to do this myself, back in my salad days, (WAY back when), but I began to realize that it made people uncomfortable, and as such made for a poor witness, you know? I don’t want people to think they have to join the Church of Public Embarrassment. So I stopped doing it. I think God understands.

But when I WAS doing it, the only thing that used to bother me was when whoever was at the table with me would let their jaw drop open in exaggerated surprise when I started to pray, and when I opened my eyes, they’d get all defensive and start fiddling with the salt shakers and things, sometimes getting very huffy. “You think you’re better than me, huh?”

All that’s required from you is a tactful silence, sweetie. You don’t even have to stop eating. Just don’t give a big horse laugh and say something stupid like, “Hey, put in a good word for me while you’re at it, huh?” Hyuk, hyuk, hyuk.

I should mention that, while in my family we don’t usually pray before a meal in public, we do make an exception for a big sit-down, special occasion meal at a restaurant, like a wedding or an anniversary. Usually the senior male present will give a blessing. But that’s like a group of 10 or 20 people together, and if people sitting nearby have a problem with that, well, tough toenails, you know?

And if you’re ever in a restaurant when the big family group next to you is having a benediction or something, the same rule of thumb applies: just preserve a tactful silence. No need for a religious hush, but no need for wisecracks, either.

“Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast!” - the White Queen

14

<<<<Anti, you are from Atlanta. Next time we (SDMB) have a get together you will have to come. Of course, I have to come as well, since I did miss the first one. Maybe later this summer when Kimberly is out of the hospital.>>>>

I’ll look forward to it! I just * knew * something good would come of living in Atlanta besides sharpening my ability to get out of everyone’s way in traffic! :slight_smile:

Judy

“I never saw so many words compressed into so small an idea.” Abraham Lincoln

15

I do this also. It’s not to make you uncomfortable, it actually has nothing to do with you at all. But it says something in the fact that it bothers you.
We have always said ‘grace’ in my family before each meal. Just something short to give thanks for the food. I still do it, not to impress anyone else, just because I am thankful.

** Sigh. So many men, so few who can afford me ** Original by Wally

I’ve learned that if someone says something unkind about me, I must live so that no one will believe it.

16

>>>>>>> Hijack alert <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

I can deal with a grace now and then.Actually it’s kind of comforting in a homey way.

I recently entered our buildings eastern stairwell on the 3rd floor and ran up a flight to get to the “engineers abode” or the roof. As I rounded the corner I bumped into a man kneeling on a blanket chanting in a moaning sort of sing song voice.I’ll tell ya,I didn’t know whether to shit or go blind!I nearly knocked him over,and went down the stairs ass over teakettle myself!
I have a problem with this…I can’t tell if it was out of complete lack of understanding or embarrassment.

>>>>>>> HIJACK COMPLETED<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Rich “G7SUBS”

17
18

I believe in prayer too ultress, it’s just that it is so personal in such a public place.
I would probably feel the same way about any kind of personal thing happening right in front of me.
PS…we say grace at home too!
:slight_smile:

One of the few to be personally welcomed to this board by Ed Zotti.

Yours truly,
aha

19

I dont understand how someone saying a silent grace before they eat would make you so uncomfortable, maybe in the back of your mind your thinking that you ought to be doing that too and THAT is making you uncomfortable. Just a thought. If your not religious at all then I still dont know what the problem would be, I dont think it would make me uncomfortable if someone of a completely different religion then I did whatever they do for worship in front of me. If they were shoving there religion down my throat then I would have a problem.

20

Hopefully this’ll be my last word on this. I hate to get, or seem to be, haughty or self-righteous about things like this - I try to be very open and understanding.

I think what it comes down to is a question of which tenet is more important to you - (and I’m very much paraphrasing here, I don’t have a Bible handy) “Don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing…when you pray, pray in your closed room, not in public”, etc., or “a candle under a bushel basket sheds no light.” I think many times there ARE people who try to make a public display of their prayer, and that is shameful. Their “candle” ceases to be a source of light, but becomes a searing flame that turns people away.

It is a fine line, and people must tread lightly. But conversely, it is also in poor taste to set up obstacles for the person attempting to walk that line.

StrTrkr777: Actually, its from the Last Crusade…

Sala, can’t you count?!? I said NO camels! That’s FIVE camels!