Hanging out at a friends house last night.

[Brian37]

Venting is not having a "hissy fit", there is a very real double standard, holidays are one, but funerals are even worse for atheists.

Now again, I was simply annoyed that they had known for years that I was an atheist. I pulled him aside last night after and said and again thanked him in PM while making this thread, just now, HE understood. 

Jews don't eat pork, so I know you are Jewish and I invite you over, I am going to be a good host, and not even offer it to you, even if I eat it in front of you.

They prayed in front of me, they still did that. I didn't stop them, I simply got annoyed. Even outside this subject, are you going to tell me you never get annoyed with family or friends? Do they disown you every time you express a concern? 

If my friend wants to come over for Christmas, he wont see a tree no, but if we have a meal together, he can pray, I won't stop him. I simply wont bow my head or hold hands. Now, if he can understand that why cant you, and mind you, he is the theist.

You don’t even like Christmas trees??

---

Not the point. 

It really is a long term issue in our species. Not talking about something that bothers you can long term, allow those who never hear your concerns to assume. Not expressing your concerns, even in dating and relationships, can create needless animosity. This was just a annoying to me. Much like when my late mother would suddenly shout at me for missing a turn when I was driving her somewhere. Even with people you like and love, it is possible to be annoyed at their actions and still like and love them. 

Letting someone know up front where you stand allows both of you to make that choice. Now again, if he can understand that, then it should not be that hard for anyone here to understand that.

Even if he had said, "Ok Brian, next time we won't invite you" I also would not have objected to that. Because it would not be a "f-you" on his part but merely "that is not Brian's thing". We still do other things together outside of holidays and we have since I have known him.

If you are swearing in a judge to their office, it will be their bench, but just like you don't force them to swear on a Koran, or Torah, or Talmud or Origin Of The Species, it is still their court sure, and they do get to decide what they put their hands on when taking the oath, but those who go in front of them are not obligated to swear in on that same book. It was his house, his court, but he was also a good host in understanding. I don't expect him or his wife to do that again. But he also expects if he comes over to my house I won't throw a fit if they pray. I simply wont partake in it. 



Yes it was "a few seconds among friends" and we still are, and he was understanding to my objections. The explanation was also brief and among friends and the prayer still happened.

Brian, they’re allowed their religious rituals in their own house, lol. You think they should refrain from their religious practices in their own home, simply because you are an atheist?  You’re a guest in their personal space. That’s kinda messed up, dude.

Show me where I denied them the right to their own rituals in their own house. If I had said, "Nobody can do it" you'd be right. All I said after to them is please don't ask me to partake. They understood. They still prayed, I didn't stop them. 

Now again, I also said if the party had been held at my house, I still would have let them pray, but same thing. Let me set it out. 

Why is it everyone here keeps missing this point.

I did not demand they don't do it at all. I simply asked them not to ask me.