B_line12:
Well for instance one time I was actually in a conversation with one lady and she bowed her head for a quick prayer. I felt as if I were being blasphemous for not bowing my head too…uncomfortable.
Probably just my own personal hangup.
One of the few to be personally welcomed to this board by Ed Zotti.
Yours truly,
aha
Aha - a fellow Okie out there? Hi!!
I thought this was interesting. As a non-Christian born & reared here in the Buckle, I’ve developed some serious over-sensitivity to public expressions of religion, primarily Christianity.
However, oddly enough, I don’t think this situation would bother me. Assuming that I knew and liked these people well enough to eat with them daily, chances are fairly high I would know that they held no ulterior motive, but rather were praying as part of their personal beliefs. Part of this may come from dealing with my in-laws, who were very Baptist and prayed aloud (not loudly, but one person said Grace aloud) at each meal, whether at home or in public. However, no mention was ever made of the fact that I did not participate. The thanks for food was something that they did for themselves - all I did was keep quiet. Didn’t even bow my head or anything. No problem.
If it was people I didn’t know, it would probably make me more uncomfortable. But I still wouldn’t expect them to change their habits for me. I’d have to agree with other replies - best just to let them have their moment and not worry about it.
But you might give some more thought as to why it makes you so uncomfortable. Do they give indications at other times that they’re doing the “holier-than-thou” routine, so that this might just be another means of proving the point? Are you uncomfortable with your own religious beliefs/practices at this time, so that their sincerity seems to show up your level of faith? Why is prayer something that you consider so personal that it should only be done in private? <Not looking for answers or trying to say what’s what here, Aha, just trying to think of some ideas that you might want to consider for yourself.>
Peace!
Redtail Howdy!!!
Nothing that deep redtail or we should be in great debates…just an “intruding on something personal” feeling on my part not really a big deal. I just happen to be a private person about matters such as praying. Can’t expect everyone to feel the same as me however…
One of the few to be personally welcomed to this board by Ed Zotti.
Yours truly,
aha
Well, then, I guess I’d say just deal with it. 
<Off-topic>
So, Aha, since you’ve got the in and all, and we’re practically next-door neighbors, do you think maybe sometime you might be able to, um, like, y’know, possibly, er, um, introduce me to Ed? <blush> 
</Off-topic>
Redtail:
Well Ed and I have a round of golf coming up on Saturday ( he carries my clubs ) I’ll talk to him about it then.
One of the few to be personally welcomed to this board by Ed Zotti.
Yours truly,
aha