Should you take part in religious activities even if your not religious?

[birdman]

Ok, so over the last week or so I have been staying with some people who are really really religious. If you walked into their house you would think the vatican is located there. Like im not even kidding the wall had a huge jesus face painted on it.

but anyways

They made dinner or whatever and before they served the food everyone started bowing their heads, but i didnt because I'm not religious. I dont believe in anything. no god, no devil, no angels, no demons or any of that stuff. So at first I didn't but the dude i was there with started to give me a look and trying to notion to me to bow my head. I didn't really give a **** or wanted to but I just did it out of respect for the people I was staying with, but I felt dumb praising something that doesn't exist.

Then before the food was all passed around I started to eat because I got tired of waiting and everyone started shooting me dirty looks. I was about to tell them to just **** off because i dont believe in anything but I put my food down and waited for them. it sucked.

so yeah next time i end up in a jesus-freaks house i dont think im going to do anyting religious. I just feel it is pointless. I just dont see why you need to give thanks to jesus for the food. jesus didnt give you the food, the farmer who grew it did. Shouldn't we all be praising farmers or something?

[David]

someone who's actually a Christian should correct me if I'm wrong.

But all food is supposed to represent the body of Christ. That's why they thank him when they eat.

Besides, waiting to eat isn't a religious thing, it's just good manners. Think of it like that.

When you're at a religious person's house, you should do what they ask, unless they ask you to say prayer, that's taking it too far on their side.

Other religious activities are fine for all nonbelievers. Going to church is like being part of a community.

All the holidays you celebrate are religious. Don't be a hypocrite.

[SilentWalrus]

I hate going to church even though I'm atheist. I guess it's to make my parents happy. But whatever. The whole point it tolerating it, even though they don't tolerate our beliefs, we must make them happy.

[zetazot]

Originally Posted by David

All the holidays you celebrate are religious. Don't be a hypocrite.

Oooo this bait is just to easy to take...

New Year's... Religious? Nope.
Easter... Technically, yes. But I don't get a day off. Not a holiday.
Memorial Day... Religious? Nope.
Independence Day? Still No.
Labor Day? Only if you're some godless Communist...
Thanksgiving? Sort of... but not really.
X-mas? Really depends on who you are. Christian? That would be Yes with a big Y. Not Christian? Nope, but the rest of the country shuts down so you get the day off. Anyhow it started out as a "pagan" holiday...

So for me, none of the holidays I celebrate are religious in nature. I doubt people are being hypocrites here.

As to birdman's plight, observe if you like, but be polite and respectful. Like David said waiting for everyone to be server is just good manners. Waiting a few extra minutes to each won't starve you to death.

[Netrix]

Originally Posted by David

Going to church is like being part of a community.

All the holidays you celebrate are religious. Don't be a hypocrite.

Not everyone wants to be part of their community.

As for the holidays, that was pretty much taken care of... but for me, I do not "celebrate" any holidays that are religious in nature. Why would I celebrate something in which I do not believe? They are simply there, and there is no avoiding them. It could be the same in birdman's case.

Anyways... back to the point of this thread... I hate doing it as well, but I have had to before (such as at my step-grandmother's house), and there is no obligation to actually believe in it or anything. It is just for a couple minutes and you will live through it. It is simply courteous to be respectful to them. Besides, they are giving you free food. It would be best to be well-mannered.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by David

someone who's actually a Christian should correct me if I'm wrong.

But all food is supposed to represent the body of Christ. That's why they thank him when they eat.

Besides, waiting to eat isn't a religious thing, it's just good manners. Think of it like that.

When you're at a religious person's house, you should do what they ask, unless they ask you to say prayer, that's taking it too far on their side.

Other religious activities are fine for all nonbelievers. Going to church is like being part of a community.

All the holidays you celebrate are religious. Don't be a hypocrite.

Eh? Since when? The only thing that comes close to that is communion, and views really vary on that one; some believe that you're actually eating Jesus, some think it to be symbolic of Jesus' flesh, and some think that it's only a reminder of his last night, crucifixion, and ressurection. The last two are the most common, with the exception of Catholics. I'm not sure, but they might still hold to that first one.

Now, to the problem at hand; there is actually a Biblical passage that can help us, believe it or not. In the New Testament, James if memory serves, it says that we ought not do things that may cause our brother to stumble in his walk with the Lord. So, eating meats offered to idols may not bother someone who's never dealt with that in their life before, but for someone who was once a part of that idol worship, that is a sensitive issue. Out of respect for that brother, the one with no convictions should restrain himself in respect for the one with convictions. In the same way, if you know Christians who do certain things, you should go along out of respect for them. Same goes for people of any faith, really. If I went to dinner with athiests such as yourself, then I wouldn't do anything to make you needlessly uncomfortable no? Now, if I'm in my own house, that's a different story. But when people visit other people's house and are someone's guest, common sesne would dictate they follow that host's rules, no?

[Gow616]

Birdman,

Old saying but can't think of anything better...

When in Rome do as the Romans do.

In other words, be polite and courteous human being, suck it up because you are a guest there. The only thing I don't deal with is bad attitude and bad mouthing. I will leave if that happens.

[Tough Gandhi]

I usually participate in religious activities when im with someone of a different religion, i do it out of respect for their beliefs

[saline]

Maybe you shouldn't go to these people's houses if it makes you fel uncomfortable. But it sounds like they were doing you a favor, so you could at least repsect them while you're there. You don't need to start speaking in tongues of healing lepers, just tolerate them =P

And waiting to eat your food until the host or hostess takes the first bite is polite manners.

[Justananomaly]

I think its best to do everything in my power to not disrespect them while they do it, and to listen and learn and watch while they do it to get an idea of that particular culture and way of life they chose. I tend to be more curious then upset at them when it happens, as awkward as it is sometimes.

[EndUnknown]

I'd say yes, you should do it, out of courtesy. ESPECIALLY if you're getting a free meal and/or lodging for a night

[133794m3r]

well birdman... I'm an agnostic... but part of my families extremely religious! I mean like jesus can fix everything religious..... so whenever I eat w/ them... I bow my head... but I don't say amen... also since I moved to the south... they all pray like every chance they can.... so if someone was going to pray before a game... I'd just stand there... bow my head... and be done w/ it. I mean since you're not actually doing anything except be respectful of someone's beliefs... especially at food... if they cooked for you, you should be able to tolerate that act.

[Justananomaly]

Yeah, here in the south they not only pray, they drink snake venom just to piss off the agnostics who don't think praying is hardcore enough for them.

[133794m3r]

Originally Posted by Justananomaly

Yeah, here in the south they not only pray, they drink snake venom just to piss off the agnostics who don't think praying is hardcore enough for them.

wait are you a fellow agnostic from the south?
I'm living in hell... woops I mean the bible belt.... and I've already been told that I'm going to hell... I'm pure evil... blah blah blah

[Justananomaly]

Louisiana. It's what makes the south look worse. But they feed us better food here, kind of evens it out.

[133794m3r]

Originally Posted by Justananomaly