Workplace "prayers" etiquette?

[PoohnPglet]

Originally posted by Keli
I think the OP's delima is not on whether the person of another religion prays or not, I think basically people from every religion pray but they do not all pray to the same god. As a Christian, I believe the Jewish people pray to the same God I do although I realize they don't accept the deity of Jesus Christ. Do Jewish people feel they are praying to a different God than Christians? But Hindu's, Muslems, and others actually believe in a different god and I could see where they would not particularly appreciate prayers to a God they don't believe in although I doubt they would be offended. I would imagine they would see it as an expression of concern the same as I would if the shoe were on the other foot.

Please, Please, Please do not be offended, but I need to correct just one thing in your post.

The God of the Muslim's is the same as the Jews and the Christians. Just so you know for future reference.

To the OP, I am not a religious person AT ALL, but I am never offended by someone letting me know they care, even if it is in the form of a prayer.

 

[notyetretired]

I think you should be honest. If you're praying for someone, tell them you're praying for them. Even if they aren't the type of people who would pray themselves, but they shouldn't think bad of you for it. If they do take offense at something so innocent, then they're not exactly showing the same concern for you that you are for them.

Likewise, if they'll be in your thoughts, tell them just that. I just think this whole PC thing has gone completely overboard. Nobody should ever have to feel bad about telling the truth, especially when it's something as simple and kindhearted as offering prayers or thoughts for someone else.

 

[jennyanydots]

Originally posted by Keli
I think the OP's delima is not on whether the person of another religion prays or not, I think basically people from every religion pray but they do not all pray to the same god. As a Christian, I believe the Jewish people pray to the same God I do although I realize they don't accept the deity of Jesus Christ. Do Jewish people feel they are praying to a different God than Christians? But Hindu's, Muslems, and others actually believe in a different god and I could see where they would not particularly appreciate prayers to a God they don't believe in although I doubt they would be offended. I would imagine they would see it as an expression of concern the same as I would if the shoe were on the other foot.

exactly.

 

[gometros]

As a Jewish person who has many non-Jewish friends, I would not at all be offended by an expression of sympathy and caring.

I'm also boggled by the comment about getting away to an environemnt of goodness. I am hoping that the poster did not mean how it sounded.

 

[Brandon79]

i'm an atheist & am always deeply touched when a person offers to pray for me. i feel they're doing the best thing within their power. how can anyone be offended by that?

 

[Lisa F]

I can kind of understand why someone might be offended by the phrase "I'll pray for you." I am Jewish and have been told by more than one Christian acquaintance that they were praying for me and when I asked them why, they said it was for me to accept Jesus as my savior, and yes, it was a little bit offensive because it implies that my way of believing is incorrect. That said the very few times that happened, the context was such that the random comment that they would be praying for me seemed to come out of nowhere and I questioned the reasons. This might be why some people might be put off if someone says "I'm praying for you."

On the other hand, if I were to talk about some difficulty that I was having and someone responded that they'd be praying for me, I would make the assumption that they would be praying for me on that subject. I wouldn't be one bit offended by the sentiment and I think that everyone can use a little positive energy sent their way in times of trouble, whether that is through prayers or good wishes (which IMO are pretty much different names for the same thing). I don't see how ANYONE could be offended by knowing that someone is thinking of them in their time of trouble but at that point, if they are, it's their problem and not yours.