"Let us all bow our heads in prayer..."

So, I have a question for you all...

Scenario: You are at a dinner party, and some people go to pray before the meal. All bow their heads, but you are an atheist. Do you do the same out of respect?

I generally do, but every time I do it bothers me a little. I have respect for people's religious beliefs, but I always wonder why it would be so horrible and taboo for those with religious beliefs to *not* pray because an atheist is present.

If one person at a dinner table bows his head, everyone else follows suit out of respect. But if one person at the table refuses, it is some horrible offense.

Any thoughts?

I'd bow my head. Shit, I ain't gotta pray (even though I do and I actually would). Praying before a meal is something that I'm accustomed to. That being said, if they've invited you into their home and you know that's what they do, then you should just bow your head out of respect. Like I said, you ain't gotta pray. You can just be thinking about the wafting aromas of the food you're about to receive or whatever else you want.

Whose house is it? That basically ends the whole argument IMO. If you're the guest in a religious home, and their tradition is prayer before meals....then you go with their flow (even if you're only going through the motions.) If you're heavily religious and are the guest in an Atheists house, then I doubt they'll mind if you personally bow your head before grubbing.

I think it should be done out of respect because it is not as if they are proposing you be Baptised.

I am not an Atheist, but we do not pray before meals. I pray daily, just not before meals. Last year my high school best friend's brother came here for dinner. Thankfully, I picked up on the fact that he wanted to pray before the meal because he did and I asked him to lead us in prayer.

Whether it's a home or an away game if someone else at the table wants to say grace, I'll just sit there quietly.

I wouldn't bow my head. I've never been that big on prayer. And while I understand that people just want to respect another's religion, I wouldn't do it, because I think that would be kind of phoney. I don't have a problem not bowing my head if other people do it - they have a right to their beliefs and I have a right to mine.

I'd abide with the customs of the house I am visiting if they are within reason. It's respectful. So while I do say regular grace, if they say hold hands or bow heads during prayer, I'd probably do that too to be respectful. It's not as if they're asking me to get naked or cut myself. It's just bowing your head.

It just comes down to tolerance and consideration.

Well said.

Nystyle709 wrote:I'd bow my head. Shit, I ain't gotta pray (even though I do and I actually would). Praying before a meal is something that I'm accustomed to. That being said, if they've invited you into their home and you know that's what they do, then you should just bow your head out of respect. Like I said, you ain't gotta pray. You can just be thinking about the wafting aromas of the food you're about to receive or whatever else you want.

My spirituality has elements of Buddhism and some of the Shamanistic beliefs of Tribal Peoples. I like to think about where my food comes from so while the other folks pray their way I'll think about the Earth that feeds me...I'm not too sure it isn't all one and the same anyway. Yeah I'll bow my head, I'll also think about folks who don't get enough to eat and send some energy their way too.

I usually just bow my head in respect even if I don't pray along with them.

Pretty much agree with everyone. Nothing wrong with being respectful. And it doesn't mean you have to pray if you don't want to. Not a big deal.