Saying grace...

[auntpolly]

I meant in my mind. If I would be kind of enough to go along with saying grace at people's houses and when people come to my house, I would be kind enough to not make strangers uncomfortable either. In fact, I think I'm more considerate then my Christian friends who know I'm not but insist on going thru the ritual in my presence anyway.

As for the sincerity, maybe the are and maybe they aren't but the more people have to announce their religion thru bumper stickers and public displays, the more I question their sincerity.

But nice of you to just isolate that part of my comment and not the part wher I said if its important to my friends then I go along with it.

I figured you weren't jeering. Personally, I wish I wasn't such a coward. I say grace at home and I have to worry that people are going to think I'm weird for saying it out? And obviously, you and lots like you think it's weird.

I'm not the showy type when it comes to religion, but why can someone have a U2 bumper sticker, for example, and not a Jesus one? Why are Jesus things so weird and hilarious?

I wear my Madonna medallion and my cross around my neck every day -- that's about as daring as I get.

Oh yeah, thanks for keeping it in your mind!

 

[susan1]

hi
i have always admired people in the u.s. for having the courage of their convictions over saying grace. we have been in cheap places like cici's to expensive places around fliorida and seen people say grace. in the u.k.people would think it was madness - english reserve at it's best!

 

[chobie]

I figured you weren't jeering. Personally, I wish I wasn't such a coward. I say grace at home and I have to worry that people are going to think I'm weird for saying it out? And obviously, you and lots like you think it's weird.

I'm not the showy type when it comes to religion, but why can someone have a U2 bumper sticker, for example, and not a Jesus one? Why are Jesus things so weird and hilarious?

I wear my Madonna medallion and my cross around my neck every day -- that's about as daring as I get.

People can have whatever bumbersticker they want. However, everything I read in the bible about Jesus leads me to believe he would cringe at people cheapening his name like that. JMHO.

I don't go around broadcasting my heatheness, but that's just me.

 

[chobie]

hi
i have always admired people in the u.s. for having the courage of their convictions over saying grace. we have been in cheap places like cici's to expensive places around fliorida and seen people say grace. in the u.k.people would think it was madness - english reserve at it's best!

It's not courageous. IMO. The overwhelming majority of Americans are Christians it's not like they would be sticking out like sore thumbs. Now courageous would be Muslims in American getting down on the floor and facing Mecca in a restuarant to do their praying

 

[auntpolly]

People can have whatever bumbersticker they want. However, everything I read in the bible about Jesus leads me to believe he would cringe at people cheapening his name like that. JMHO.

I don't go around broadcasting my heatheness, but that's just me.

You don't? How did I know it, then?

Just giving you a hard time. Do me a favor and cut people at Arby's a break if they say grace - it may be important to them.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

You could just be honest like my niece. At preschool this week, they were supposed to bring in what they were most thankful for for show and tell. My lovely niece decided she was most thankful for her Pez dispensers.

I am honest..but I still feel like a dork.

"I'm thankful that I'm the last one and now I can eat me some turkey."



(okay--I really dont' say that..but since I have been craving an official turkey day meal since September....it might be close this year )

 

[chobie]

You don't? How did I know it, then?

Just giving you a hard time. Do me a favor and cut people at Arby's a break if they say grace - it may be important to them.

I told you, I already do. I make no visable or verbal remark to make them feel uncomfortable or stare at them. But when I notice it, I will in my head. That's not a crime.

 

[JoyG]

The problem -- for me, at least -- is that if everyone else is saying prayers and I just sit there silently with them (thinking about how good the food looks or whatever) then I will appear to be tacitly in agreement with the whole idea of prayer. In fact, many people at the table might just assume I'm praying right along with them.

I think if you were just sitting there quietly with your eyes wide open no one would think you were praying.

I'm a teacher, and one year I had a little girl who was a Jehovah's Witness invite me to a special program that she was taking part in. I knew it was important to her and she really wanted me to come and I didn't want to let her down, so I went...and I don't believe in what the Jehovah's Witnesses do. When they were praying, I just sat there politely with my eyes wide open and I didn't bow my head.

 

[auntpolly]

I told you, I already do. I make no visable or verbal remark to make them feel uncomfortable or stare at them. But when I notice it, I will in my head. That's not a crime.

It certainly isn't -- no siree bob.

 

[Honu]

It depends on the company I'm in, but there are definitely times when I excuse myself from the table to let the praying proceed without me. For some it becomes a study in watching the Atheist's reaction to grace, rather than saying the prayer. I excuse myself because I feel my presence is a disruption.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I figured you weren't jeering. Personally, I wish I wasn't such a coward. I say grace at home and I have to worry that people are going to think I'm weird for saying it out? And obviously, you and lots like you think it's weird.

I'm not the showy type when it comes to religion, but why can someone have a U2 bumper sticker, for example, and not a Jesus one? Why are Jesus things so weird and hilarious?

I wear my Madonna medallion and my cross around my neck every day -- that's about as daring as I get.

Oh yeah, thanks for keeping it in your mind!

Are you sure we're not the same person? I 've got a Madonna and a crucifix around my neck too. (cue Twilight Zone theme )

I'm worndering too, if it makes someone feel better to evangelize on their car, how is that hurting anyone? I've got a flag that says "God Bless America" on mine, is that a bad thing?

As for grace, I've had friends and family ask me to say grace at their homes because they know I'm "religious" I think that's kind of funny actually, but I do it. When I'm out in public, in the office having lunch or whatever-I just say grace in my head and skip the sign of the cross. I shouldn't skip it, because it's not hurting anyone for me to do it and it's part of the prayer. I'm working on that.

 

[noodleknitter]

If you are at your home, could you just take control of the situation, and sweetly say "Instead, why don't we each share one thing we are thankful for..." Let everyone do so, then, as host you say "I'm thankful that everyone could be here, for the cook, blah...blah...blah...let's enjoy our dinner" And start to eat.

Might work...and you wouldn't have to boot anyone out your door! Or leave, yourself.

 

[auntpolly]

Are you sure we're not the same person? I 've got a Madonna and a crucifix around my neck too. (cue Twilight Zone theme )

.

I got my Madonna medallion at the Mexican pavillion at EPCOT.....everyone admires it and figures I got it at the vatican since I'm in Rome so much. When I say, nope, WDW, I always get the old .

 

[goofygirl]

My attitude is that if they must pray, they should take it outside... all the way home if they want.

Take it outside?? For goodness sakes, it's PRAYING, not smoking!


If I'm a guest in someone's home, I feel I should do what they do - you know, "when in Rome, do as the Romans do..." As for my own home, come pray or do whatever in my house, but do not smoke! THAT has to be outside!

 

[auntpolly]

Now, if they take 20 minutes to say grace, or start speaking in tounges at the table or something, then I would say you might have cause for objection.

Boy you aren't very openminded! Our pre-dinner speaking in tongues is sacred to us!!!!

In case you aren't sure I am sooooo kidding!

 

[Cantw8]

I am not a religious person but if I am in someone's home who says Grace, I will politely bow my head until they are finished. If someone comes to my home and would like to say Grace, I have no problem with it at all It's really not that big of a deal to me and I certainly don't think I'm trying to be converted. It's just a matter of respect and being courteous

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Take it outside?? For goodness sakes, it's PRAYING, not smoking!


If I'm a guest in someone's home, I feel I should do what they do - you know, "when in Rome, do as the Romans do..." As for my own home, come pray or do whatever in my house, but do not smoke! THAT has to be outside!

Well you know what they say about sidestream prayer--it might just possibly....not harm you.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Boy you aren't very openminded! Our pre-dinner speaking in tongues is sacred to us!!!!

In case you aren't sure I am sooooo kidding!

I always like to play musical chairs before dinner. Do you think that might be frowned upon?

 

[auntpolly]

I always like to play musical chairs before dinner. Do you think that might be frowned upon?

That would be the funniest thing in the world!! Can I steal that? Can you imagine my guests faces when I tell them that before we dig in we're going to have a little game of musical chairs?

 

[KikiFan]

It depends on the company I'm in, but there are definitely times when I excuse myself from the table to let the praying proceed without me. For some it becomes a study in watching the Atheist's reaction to grace, rather than saying the prayer. I excuse myself because I feel my presence is a disruption.

WHen I first read the post about walking away from the table my first thought was how rude? Why couldn't you just sit there a moment and let others do their thing ... especially since it's not your house. But I never gave it a thought to how some people can be. I can just imagine the sneaky looks others might give to see "the Heathen's" reaction to prayer. I can understand (now) how in some circumstances walking away really is the better choice.

I've never really been one for saying Grace. I spend time each day trying to consciously be grateful for my blessings so I figure that covers it. And if I'm cooking, I've usually already said a prayer in that kitchen, that I not accidently poisen anyone.