Religious Displays in Public

[AussiePam]

On the bus back to the Melbourne airport on Saturday evening, the bloke in the seat next to me - who'd been smiling at me in a chatting up kind of way, suddenly took out a religious publication and began to harangue me about whatever cult he was into. I told him politely that I wasn't up for conversion at that time, but he continued anyway for the duration of the journey. Other passengers rolled their eyes in sympathy. Perhaps if I'd just remembered to carry my little golden sickle I could have chopped off his oak leaves and burned his entrails (but airport security probably would have religiously persecuted me for such self expression).

[RedGlitter]

I find public displays of religion to be in very poor taste.
It belongs in private or in church.

[abbey]

When I was at Dubai airport I saw many people praying, it never bothered me in fact I was intrigued.

[QUINNSCOMMENTARY]

Originally Posted by gmc

Well most of the time I can appreciate where you are coming from and we probably agree a great deal about the basics but would argue endlessly about the means to get there.

My Presbyterian upbringing abhors overt displays of religious fervour but being a liberal I try to be tolerant of others and not condemn too harshly.

There you have it then, I must be affected by my Presbyterian roots as well. Frankly I never thought of it. I would have thought a Presbyterian background would have sent you to a more conservative philosophy, it cetainly did me.

You know hard work, family and frugality.

[Sheryl]

People praying in public doesn't bother me. I'd rather see that than some rude person eating with their mouthful or a couple getting a little to frisky in front of me.

People praying in public doesn't bother me as long as it's done within reason. Much like I don't mind seeing a couple kiss in public, I also don't want to see a marathon makeout session either.

Originally Posted by chonsigirl

I do not see anything wrong with praying over a meal in public, as long as it is done quietly and respectfully. What about other person's conversations during mealtime, on other topics you would find objectionable? Or clothing styles and manners? That is the chance you take in going into a public venue, there will be others with different beliefs, cultures, etc.

Amen!

Everywhere I go I am forced to hear people say dirty words, its common place now, and kids say it even to their parents, and the thing is the parents don't mind at all. I think to myself they all must be stupid because they cont find a dictionary and get a real word that fits what they want to say so they use the same vulgar words over and over.

I pray in public, I bow my head and speak quietly to myself. I do this when I'm on the job and things are not going well and I’m getting ready to loose my self control, same thing, I will stop and pray and remember what Christ did for me and then I don’t blow up. They all think I’m odd for doing it too. But I don’t care.

I think some folks want me to blow up and cuss, so I won’t be a conviction to them. By God's grace I'm not going to do it.

Mr. Quinn would you rather I just stand up before my meal and yell FU in the restaurant?

Col 4:6 Let your speech [be] alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

[K.Snyder]

Originally Posted by QUINNSCOMMENTARY

I was just in a restaurant and the people sitting next to me began their meal holding hands and praying.

I find this no different than someone placing a bib within their shirt...

I'm wondering what others feel about those who place bibs within their shirt before they eat...

[gmc]

Originally Posted by QUINNSCOMMENTARY

There you have it then, I must be affected by my Presbyterian roots as well. Frankly I never thought of it. I would have thought a Presbyterian background would have sent you to a more conservative philosophy, it cetainly did me.

You know hard work, family and frugality.

It also gives a sense of egalitarianism that tends towards more radical liberal attitudes- If you believe all are equal in the eyes of god why not on earth is the next question, boom -now you are daring to question the natural the social order.

Adam Smith for instance was a Presbyterian so were a surprising number of the political philosophers that had such an impact on the way we live today. Or they have a protestant background Thomas paine, for instance, was born of a quaker and an anglican, imagine the debates in that house as he was growing up.


posted by chonsgirl

I do not see anything wrong with praying over a meal in public, as long as it is done quietly and respectfully. What about other person's conversations during mealtime, on other topics you would find objectionable? Or clothing styles and manners? That is the chance you take in going into a public venue, there will be others with different beliefs, cultures, etc.

There are a lot of things I can find objectionable, loud conversations in public is I suppose one of them so is seeing two blokes or two women holding hands in public, goth and punk fashion doesn't appeal either. But I respect their right to be different from me just as I expect them to respect my right to be different from them. Differences are what make the world a better place it's those who want everyone to conform to them that are a problem. On both the occasions QC mentions I would have said nothing to them. I stopped being embarrassed for what others do a long time ago. Their lives let them get on with it. I would find it irritating though which is what he asked.

[K.Snyder]

Originally Posted by Hoss

Amen!

Everywhere I go I am forced to hear people say dirty words, its common place now, and kids say it even to their parents, and the thing is the parents don't mind at all. I think to myself they all must be stupid because they cont find a dictionary and get a real word that fits what they want to say so they use the same vulgar words over and over.

What is it that you're concerned with when you hear a child cursing?...Are you concerned for the community lacking an extenuated vocabulary resulting in hazardous work environments or the fact that they might say the cuss word only to hear someone else say it as well?...Is it that you feel parents send a message to their children that the children are permitted to be out of control?...If so and the parents do not mind wouldn't you think that the only reason for this would logically be because others feel it's inappropriate?...Take the word "Bugger" for instance...A curse word in the UK...Here in the states "Bugger" means nothing to us...In fact when we hear it more often than not we think of a nat flying around our ear...Now take the word "Fag"...Here it quite blatantly is a derogatory word towards homosexuals but in the UK it refers to smoking a cigarette...

I've never been one to think children cursing was very classy because I feel it signifies a lack of guidance...I think children get the sense of being uncontrollable when parents do not set a standard of rules to follow and it gives the children a false sense of correctness...I think it leads to unethical choices...

Originally Posted by Hoss

I pray in public, I bow my head and speak quietly to myself. I do this when I'm on the job and things are not going well and I’m getting ready to loose my self control, same thing, I will stop and pray and remember what Christ did for me and then I don’t blow up. They all think I’m odd for doing it too. But I don’t care.

I think some folks want me to blow up and cuss, so I won’t be a conviction to them. By God's grace I'm not going to do it.

This goes back to the interpretation clause...You're making a temperamental situation to one that seems like a completely harmless spat of frustration sound like a damn mule's getting it's bleedin head chopped off...Why is it that you feel you're more right than those who cuss?...

I couldn't think of a more humoring way to release frustration whereas you seem to hold it all inside until the point "things are not going well and I’m getting ready to loose my self control, same thing, I will stop and pray and remember what Christ did for me and then I don’t blow up."...

Originally Posted by Hoss

Mr. Quinn would you rather I just stand up before my meal and yell FU in the restaurant?

I'd prefer that you wouldn't...Why would you want to do something like that?...Your reference to "F" is what Quinn's after and your incorporating the word "you" in a blatantly aggressive manner not only would but should get your *** kicked...

Originally Posted by Hoss

Col 4:6 Let your speech [be] alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

You feel cursing negates this philosophy?...