Do you fake pray?

[Anti_Hypeman]

Do you ever fake pray just to be socailly acceptable? I have endured the evil eye several times for not participating in group prayer. Sometimes life would be easier if I just pretended to be one of the pod people how do other handle such situations?

 

[Nyarlathotep]

Depends on how you define 'fake pray'. My wife and I usually have Thanksgiving dinner at her sister's house. They always say a prayer prior to eating. Do I get up and refresh my drink at that time? No, I sit there silently until they are done. If that is fake praying then yes I do. But on the other hand, I don't actually make any pretense of praying, I am just polite when they do it. And her sister (and presumably the rest of her family) knows that we are atheists and aren't really praying along. So it isn't a big deal.

In short, honesty is the best policy, but be polite. That has worked out pretty well for me so far.

 

[Neutiquam Erro]

As a church-going atheist (whose family/social situation doesn't encourage outspoken dissent), I never enter a religious service without a silent, personal invocation:

"Lord, bless these motions I'm about to go through."

The Lord has yet to punish me for the misplaced preposition.

 

[EdipisReks]

uh, usually if people around me are praying i look for the exit, because i really don't know how i got into the mosque in the first place. unless they have food. mmmmm, haleem. i'll fake pray for haleem any day of the week.

 

[Crossbow]

I do not fake pray.

When such things come up I just keep my head raised, my eyes open, and avoid saying the 'amen' at the end of it.

 

[tkingdoll]

I do not fake pray.

When such things come up I just keep my head raised, my eyes open, and avoid saying the 'amen' at the end of it.

That's what I do, although I rarely find myself in the situation now. Most work-related dinners etc have some non-specific 'grace' nowadays, so as not to offend anyone or favour one or indeed any religion.

I must be really childish, because when the deliberate avoidance of prayer or grace is necessary, I WANT people to notice and ask me about it so I can proudly claim my athiesm and watch their reaction. Yes, I know that is juvenile.

I don't sing the national anthem either. I'm not anti-royal or unpatriotic, I just don't want to sing a song asking God to save the Queen. I don't care about the Queen, dammit, and I don't believe in God, so keep your silly tune!

Funnily enough, I used to 'fake pray' when I was a born-again Christian. I also faked speaking in tongues and I completely faked a fainting fit when I was exorcised because I'd seen others faint and knew it was expected. In fact, it was that faking (and the suspicion that everyone was at it) that led me down the dear path of atheism.

 

[Ryokan]

Never. Public prayer in any form is not part of the culture I live in, we tend to see religion as a private and personal matter.

 

[RandFan]

Do you ever fake pray just to be socailly acceptable? I have endured the evil eye several times for not participating in group prayer. Sometimes life would be easier if I just pretended to be one of the pod people how do other handle such situations?

Yes, I have no real problem with it personally. I see it as a sign of respect. I know that view isn't respected by some but tough. And I'm sure that a number of the individuals I am respecting would not respect me in some circumstances. But that is fine with me.

BTW, and I have touched on this before but I do give prayers. They are actually just good sentiments.

We hope that peace and harmony will be on this house. We hope our love for each other will abide. We hope the loved ones not here today are in good health and happy. We are grateful for our family and we are grateful for our blessings. May it will ever be. Amen.

I feel good and I'm often thanked though sometimes I'm admonished to thank god for the blessings. I just smile. I don't feel that I have betrayed anything or have been dishonest.

 

[tkingdoll]

Re: Re: Do you fake pray?

BTW, and I have touched on this before but I do give prayers. They are actually just good sentiments.

We hope that peace and harmony will be on this house. We hope our love for each other will abide. We hope the loved ones not here today are in good health and happy. We are grateful for our family and we are grateful for our blessings. May it will ever be. Amen.

That's actually really nice. It's a great idea to express a sentiment in a group, just for 'wellbeings' sake. What bothers me about religious prayer is that the praying individuals believe that by expressing the desire (God keep everyone safe and happy) etc, that it might somehow happen as a result of their prayer.

I mean, as an atheist, you might say that you hope your loved ones are safe and happy, but you know that if they are, it's not because you said it. If you did believe that, then it's no better than superstition.

 

[Anti_Hypeman]

Is it actually written in the bible somewhere that you have to bow your head ans close your eyes to pray? How do they know Im not praying?

What really bothers me is the people starring at me are not doing it either or how would they know Im not praying correctly?

Religous tollerance seems to mean you can pray to any god you want but you have to pick one.

 

[jjramsey]

Is it actually written in the bible somewhere that you have to bow your head ans close your eyes to pray?

No.

How do they know Im not praying? What really bothers me is the people starring at me are not doing it either or how would they know Im not praying correctly?

Maybe they see you out of the corner of their eyes. Maybe their heads bob up for a moment, and they see you. Maybe they have half-heard about you being an atheist, and they check if you're praying to make sure.

 

[Marquis de Carabas]

I view prayers in my presence as being like bad lovers. Just sit back and hope it doesn't take too long.

 

[Hawk one]

I view prayers in my presence as being like bad lovers. Just sit back and hope it doesn't take too long.

You know, this post gives some rather disturbing* insight about your love life....


*Though not as disturbing as the fact that I just reread the whole "How tall are you?" thread and actually found myself smiling, even giggling at times.

 

[Riddick]

As a church-going atheist (whose family/social situation doesn't encourage outspoken dissent), I never enter a religious service without a silent, personal invocation:

"Lord, bless these motions I'm about to go through."

The Lord has yet to punish me for the misplaced preposition.

"i could carve a better backbone out of a banana." - president eisenhower on choosing earl warren as a supreme court justice.

 

[JPK71]

Very simple answer - I never fake, course I never pray. In fact - I refuse to participate in any religious event. Made me a good amount of enemies on that account. A few years ago, I refused to enter a church at some friends wedding. Not a popular decision - but really not my concern. I have principles.

 

[RandFan]

Very simple answer - I never fake, course I never pray. In fact - I refuse to participate in any religious event. Made me a good amount of enemies on that account. A few years ago, I refused to enter a church at some friends wedding. Not a popular decision - but really not my concern. I have principles.

Personal principles or something all atheists should adhere to? I see no reason to make enemies aside from ego and arrogance. I don't get the whole "us" vs. "them" concept. These are just humans. Many are friends and family. We want and hope for their respect but we don't want to dirty our hands with their silly superstitions. I have no such contempt for people. There are lines that I draw but they are not quite so rigid. The smile and gratitude from a bride and groom for my support is worth any silly ritual. But then that is just me.

 

[Bikewer]

No. On those occasions where religious practices are going on, such as weddings, funerals, and such, I just stand there.

 

[hodgy]

I do not fake pray.

When such things come up I just keep my head raised, my eyes open, and avoid saying the 'amen' at the end of it.

Me too.

If I am at a funeral when the prayers are said I bow my head as a mark of respect for the deceased but I do not pray - I conciously make an effort to run through my memories of the deceased instead.

 

[kuroyume0161]

The last time that I was at a 'religious' type function, a wedding about six or so years ago, my natural instinct was just to be courteous. I listened to all of the talk, I stood up when everyone stood up, I sat when everyone sat, though I did not kneel, sing the hymns, or participate in the prayers. Seemed to incur no wrath from anybody towards me.

 

[Jon.]

As many others have said, I just sit there quietly and don't say "amen" at the end. It doesn't happen very often, actually, but when it does, nobody says anything about it.

I don't sing the national anthem either. I'm not anti-royal or unpatriotic, I just don't want to sing a song asking God to save the Queen. I don't care about the Queen, dammit, and I don't believe in God, so keep your silly tune!

I agree, but I live in Canada, where the words go "God keep our land, glorious and free." I do care about Canada being kept glorious and free, I just don't think we should be asking a mythical being to be responsible. So I always sing "Let's keep our land..."

Either nobody has noticed yet, or nobody cares.