Why do some people close their eyes fold their hands and  

Sorry I have to disagree . There is nothing wrong with showing your love for your god. And thats how the majority of people think

I totally disagree with you. I pray before each meal, whether I am at home or in public makes no difference to me. I do this because I am thankful for each meal I eat when I know there are people in this world who are not as fortunate. I see nothing wrong with public displays of showing respect for our God. What I find funny is that you do. Why is it if you are a religious person they think you are crazy, phony, or a fanatic, but if you are not religious then your considered to be normal. Am I the only one who sees something wrong with this?

I always pray before I eat, whether at home or in a restaurant. I bow my head and hold hands with whomever I am eating with. God deserves our thanks because He has provided us with all the things we need.

I see it as humbling myself before the Lord.

God bless.

some people like mwah , bow their heads before a meal at a restaurant because ....we do it at every meal so why not at a restaurant, and oh guess what else some times i even get on my knees and pray b4 i go to bed.. . btw it is not for others to see it is for our gratefulness to God. if others do see then they see us taking the time to stop and show appreciation to our God for our bountiful feast. God does not require this we simply do it b/c we choose to, and we pray all day as well, just because you do not witness it does not mean we dont do it, the head bowing and eye closing is so that we can show reverance and focus . any more questions?

Hello barehugs
This is a very touchy subject I am sure for some, but I can say one thing I agree with you on barehugs, is that a spiritualist is indeed someone who communes with God's Greatness 24/7 which is as it should be..for who can deny the spirit of goodness?
Thanks for a very thought provoking discussion and a great observation!

I agree with you barehugs,I too bless my food,and our pooches food,I give thanks several times a day for all that I have.When we are out with frinds enjoying a meal I simply give thanks silently,don't feel the need to go na na na nana..lol,find this way I am not offending or laying a guilt trip on other diners whom choose not to say grace.
Who knows,very possibly others do give thanks silently as well.To simply appreciate a thing in my mind is giving thanks!
Only minutes ago found this posting from eight months back by a mylot member,can't make out his name,will get back to you on it.

An Atheist was walking through the woods and said to himself....

"what majestic trees!"

"What Powerful rivers!"

"what beautiful animals1"

As he walked alongside the river,he heard a rustling in the bushes behind him.He turned to look and saw a 7-foot grizzly charge towards him.He ran as fast as he could up the path.He looked over his shoulder and saw that the bear was closing in on him.

he looked over his shoulder again,and the bear was even closer.He tripped and fell on the ground.Hhe rolled over to pick himself up but saw that the bear was right on top of him,reaching for him with his left paw and raising his right paw to strike him.

He looked over his shoulder again,and the bear was even closer.He tripped and fell to the ground.He rolled over to pick himself up but saw that the bear was roight on top of him.At that instant,the atheist cried out,"oh my God!"

Time stopped.

The bear froze.

The forest was silent.

As a bright light shone upon the man,a voice came out of the sky;"You deny my existence for all these years,teach others I don't exist,and even credit creation to cosmic accident."Do you expect me to help you out of this predicament?Am I to count you as a believer?"

The atheist looked directly into the light and said,"It would be hypocritical of me to suddenly ask you to treat me as a Christian now,but perhaps,you could mmake the BEAR a Christian?"

"Very well," said the voice.

The light went out.

The sounds of the forest resumed.

The bear dropped his right paw,brought both paws together,bowed his head,and spoke:

"Lord bless this food,which I am about to receive from thy bounty through Christ our Lord,Amen."

Hello barehugs,

I find your observations and statements a little intolerant, and wonder if the people who do physically show prayer in public ponder over how wrong it is for YOU not to do so when they see you at restaurants.

In either case - your criticism of others or the other way around, there is a measure of intolerance that might be cleared up by better understanding of someone else's practices.

For some, it is not enough to keep spirituality in the head, in the thoughts, and physical motion helps complete acts/thoughts connecting some with their God/spirituality of choice.

I'm not sure who has told you that public prayer is 'for show' as you suggested with the assertion that people pray "to their captive audience", but I have to wonder why you would actually be amused by people praying.

Maybe it's habit. Some kids are not allowed to put peas in their mouths unless they are thankful to the good Lord and tell him so. I sometimes wonder if, when these words are spoken just before they bite into their burger, whether they are really thinking about being thankful to God, or so hungry all they can think about is their stomach. I feel blessed quite a bit but I'd rather toast the friends who join me in a meal and make that a blessing in itself without the need for formal prayer.

It is just a difference in practices of religion. Like some athletes cross themselves before they play their sport.

It really isn't that much different from public displays of affection, you know. There are some couples who won't even hold hands in public and others who are all over each other in public.

Apparently it is a difference in what one thinks is private and what one thinks is public.

No big deal.

However, I am offended by sexual/erotic behavior between couples in public. But I realize it is just MY opinion.

I pray before and after each meal, often silently. Sometimes I bow my head, sometimes I close my eyes, sometimes I make the sign of the Cross. I can assure you it is not a public announcement of my holiness. I know I am a sinner and I will be the last person to say that I am holy. Nor is it to mock people with other beliefs. I respect people with different beliefs/religions. I do it as a blessing for the bounty that is before me. I do it as a thanksgiving for the food that I eat. Every person should be free to worship God in the manner that he/she wishes. No person can claim complete knowledge about God or the perfect way to interact with Him.