Atheists & Agnostics
Related: About this forumShould There Be Limits to Public Expressions of Religious Freedom?
What if you were in an airport lounge working on your computer while awaiting your flight when a group of men enter the desk area of the lounge, take off their shoes, face Mecca and start praying?
This reportedly happened to FlyerTalk member NYTA while at the airport in Rome, who believes in freedom of religion but thought that the time and place for prayer by these men to be offiensive especially when non-denominational chapels are found in many airports and the airport in Rome supposedly has rooms in which to pray.
Were the men behaving inappropriately in that airport lounge in Rome?
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zbdent
(35,392 posts)Is that "offensive"?
Warpy
(111,327 posts)If you've ever been to one of those "non denominational" chapels you know they're European style, full of pews.
There wouldn't have been room in any of them for the group of men to face east and pray.
Mr. I-wanna-pretend-they-don't-exist needs to mind his own business. It's not like they were street preaching and demanding he convert to Islam. Nor were they interfering with his space or his work.
I'd have no problem ignoring something like that. Now if they'd been blocking the foot traffic by doing it in a corridor, there would have been a problem.
I suppose he'd been happier if they'd done it in a relatively empty men's room.
Curmudgeoness
(18,219 posts)I understand that this is their belief, but if it is an expression that gets my attention, it is more than I find appropriate.
Let's be clear though. I don't think that the airport is the problem, or the time (since it seems that the times are very important to Muslims), but the problem is such a public display. I will condemn Christian displays of religion in the same way. Keep your beliefs and the practice of them to yourself.
ChairmanAgnostic
(28,017 posts)Imagine if I went to an Italian airport, set up a portable cooking surface, and began boiling pasta! Pastafarians would love it, but Italians would be exceedingly angry. YOU NEVER BOIL PASTA. That makes it too soft! Pasta, regardless of the faith or sect, can only be par-boiled.
Ramen!
Curmudgeoness
(18,219 posts)I have always been a pro-boil Pastafarian....I didn't know that there was any other option. You missionaries are marvels of knowledge.
Thanks for the laugh as well. Ramen to you too.
ChairmanAgnostic
(28,017 posts)You guys are just WRONG WRONG WRONG! The Flying Spaghetti Monster will have your sole boiled and fried! You pro-boil fanatics are as bad and as sinful as those misguided fools who worship the Antipasta! Salami, cheese, AND veggies included!
Shame Shame Shame!
Curmudgeoness
(18,219 posts)Some people, like you, can put more puns together in one post than I have ever seen. I am not one of them, but I do appreciate you.
So tell me, how freaking long would you have to "par-boil" macaroni before it is fit to eat without breaking a tooth? I partook in a communion of macaroni this evening for dinner, not overcooked, and I cannot imagine how your way can work. Your beliefs make no sense to me. I think you are wrong. My way is the true way.
awoke_in_2003
(34,582 posts)Phillip McCleod
(1,837 posts)people can pray whenever they want as long as it doesn't infringe on the rights of others. people praying to mecca is only about as infringing as perfume, that is it's passive, not active. it's IN public but it's not 'public' in the capital-P sense of crossing the wall of separation principle. if it was in school, during class, that's a different story. in an airport lounge? who cares. people plank in public, too. should that be banned? if we banned silly but harmless behavior life would be dull.
LAGC
(5,330 posts)I had to look that up.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planking_%28fad%29
Crazy fads people come up with...
Phillip McCleod
(1,837 posts)sinkingfeeling
(51,470 posts)and the Middle East.
In the public lounge areas or designated private prayer rooms?
sinkingfeeling
(51,470 posts)Act_of_Reparation
(9,116 posts)As long as they keep their religion out of my laws, I really couldn't give a rat's ass when and where they pray.
ShadowLiberal
(2,237 posts)As long as you aren't trying to force your religion and your religion's morality on me I don't care.