General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I hate when people pray over their food aloud in public [View all]Yo_Mama
(8,303 posts)There are a lot of "visible" religious observances, and I don't think your characterization is just.
One person saying grace over a meal (I assume that's what it was) usually does so silently. It is the custom when two or more are praying together to do it aloud, so they can hear each other. That's because they are praying TOGETHER.
Nothing about Matthew disallowed or rebuffed joint prayer. The verse is specifically aimed at individual prayer, and I've got to admit I would find it a bit weird for someone praying alone before a meal in public to say it aloud, if only because it is easier to concentrate when saying it silently.
I have seen people ranting about persons reading a bible on public transport. I realize that there is nothing, including hairstyles, which will not offend some people. But this seems unreasonable, and spending your life in a ranting fervor over other peoples' behavior strikes me neither as rational or enjoyable.
If they were yelling it, that's another thing, just as persons having too-loud conversations in a restaurant is abusive. But if they were just saying grace together?