... to be annoyed at the Muslim who prays next to me in work?

[Beethoven]

I share a small office with two other people. A new guy has started who's a muslim, and will roll out his mat and start praying behind me. I know it doesn't hurt me, but I feel a little uncomfortable for the few minutes that he does it.

Am I being an unreasonable bigot?

Foxytocin - because I am an ignorant so and so, would you mind sharing what that means? And is it something it's polite to say to a Muslim during Ramadan even if you are not, or only appropriate if you are a fellow believer? I do trrryyy and educate myself.

Lots of fuzzy thinking here. It's self-evident no child is born naturally inclined to religion as belief relies on some form of concious understanding. However, atheism itself is a belief; it's safer to suggest we're all born strong agnostics (about literally everything).

Getting somewhat away from the OP I reckin...

YABU definately a bigoted thing to say.
FGS I can't believe people would think like that, how is he harming you exactly and why do you feel uncomfortable? Live and let live.

How many religious people of any denomination would expect to pray in an office? Or in the middle of a factory floor? library? shop?

And whilst many people live by religious code, that conveniently fits into their daily lives, not many practice religious worship wherever and whenever they please.

Perhaps I should tell my Spanish friends to down tools and have a siesta every day.

Agree with Riven.

Belief in G-d or not is a belief - you cannot prove or disprove scientifically the existence of G-d.

Your choice to be an atheist affects your daily life, likewise choosing to believe in G-d and having a particular faith affects your daily life, be it what you say, how you say it, what you do with your time, what you eat etc. etc.

I'm sorry to say this, but the most inflexibale and, for wont of a better word, fundamentalist (in relation to their belief) individuals I have encountered are atheists.

I agree that religion is a personal thing and should not be inflicted on others. The other evening, I had some man twat spending most of my train journey about how I should read a book about a Muslim who converted to christianity as it was so wonderful, and blah blah blah, Jesus is so wonderful. I could do without that TBH, and thought it incredibly rude that here's this person, who knows nothing about me, my background, what I've thought about, what I've been through, telling me to believe in something that I categorically do not believe in, and with good reason. I should have twatted him.

inflexible what is with my typing today.

It means Blessed Ramadan and it is a nice thing non-Muslims to greet Muslims with for Ramadan. at the end of Ramadan you can say Eid Mubarak.

Oh, and for twatface man on tube, he was going on and on and on about this Muslim who converted to christianity, and then said "what are you?" I said "Jewish" and he said "oh, well yes. It was a Muslim who converted" implying that it's the same thing. TWAT.

I think YABU to be annoyed, but maybe not unreasonable to feel uncomfortable.

I'm not very religious. I would feel uncomfortable if I was sharing an office with someone who said The Angelus daily at midday. I think I would get over it pretty quickly though. I also think I would make calls and not worry about a clicking computer. If the religious person wants silence for theri prayers, it's up to them to find a silent location.

So I think you just need to get used to it.

Yes Riven I did RE at school.

Other subjects were far more important to me. Especially the ones based around empirical evidence.

I pray on the tube. I don't think anyone notices/is bothered, as MUCH more exciting/interesting/bizarre stuff happens on a tube than a woman davening every morning.

I caan't be bothered to read 7 pages worth..

But. I think any thing un-officy should be kept out of the office. I would find it distracting. Also when people are praying I feel a bit like I am invading their privacy.

So I would feel uncomfortable whatever their religion. It isn't the time or place.

My car is certainly no place for God!! Although I can't blame you for praying, my driving is a little erratic!!

Seriously though there should be somewhere private for that man to pray as I'm sure if I were to loudly talk about my atheism in an office full of religious folk someone would moan about my lack of sensitivity.

I agree with Posi Parker that we should down tools and have a siesta everyday.

That is what you said right?

I think that's what she's saying. I agree. Siestas are the best.

And that would be their problem. You see? Equal rules for everyone.

I also vote for a pinata.

'Lots of fuzzy thinking here. It's self-evident no child is born naturally inclined to religion as belief relies on some form of concious understanding. However, atheism itself is a belief; it's safer to suggest we're all born strong agnostics (about erally everything).'

Heracles, it's not 'self-evident' (and that phrase does tend to signal defeat). Faith doesn't necessarily rely on conscious understanding, and certainly, some people would argue for signs of 'inclination to belief' where there is little 'conscious understanding'.

Posie - know a lot of children reared by wolves, do you?

LDR, yes I grew up near a jungle.

I can't believe someone has started such a hateful and ignorant thread on the first day of Ramadan.

Op - why didn't you talk to him about it? Or is he just 'the Muslim', so not quite human to you?

For all the haters - most Muslims will pray during a work break and find somewhere quiet if possible.

This man probably feels that by praying by his desk, he's taking the minimum time away from work.

I still can't get over 'The Muslim'. You could have called him your work colleague, could you?

YABVVU and shame on all you Dawinistas piling on with the usual bigotry.