Page 20 | To have objected to ‘prayers’ at work

Iamthewintersale · 2025-01-21T13:56:07+00:00

Will try to keep this brief… Work in a team of 12, 6 in U.K. and 6 in USA ( mid-west) and once a week we have a team meeting that we take turns in running. Tomorrow is the turn of A. A is a Republican, church goer, voted Trump because she wanted, quote ‘More money in my pocket book and illegals dealt with’. So far so MAGA. This came up pre-election as she’s the only Trump fan on the team and was open about it. On the agenda for the meeting is ‘Prayer’ as point one. I pinged manager a note saying what?? A thinks it would be nice to start off with a prayer. As a team. I have asked for it to be OFF the agenda. US manager thinks it’s ‘harmless’ but has said will clarify. AIBU to think it’s totally inappropriate??? I’m an atheist for a start, most of my U.K. team are the same or at least agnostic. Seems weird that she’s never tried this before, but suddenly Trump ‘god saved me to MAGA’ is inaugurated and a team prayer is in the agenda. We are a large global company, BTW, not some local mom & pop outfit that sells bibles… YANBU - work is secular. She keeps her views and prayers to herself own time. YABU - lighten up, what harm can it do.

BlueMum16 · 21/01/2025 22:29

Iamthewintersale · 21/01/2025 20:04

I do like her! In small. Long distance, meet in person 2/3 x a year kind of way. Though Pastafarian is bloody genius!

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Any prayers, for any religion, should be outside of a meeting.

Join the meeting and then drop off again and ask to be notified when the meeting starts proper.

This isn't about her faith or her politics. It shouldn't be in a workplace unless it was a Diversity and Inclusion session which I believe Trump is stopping anyway.

Pluvia · 21/01/2025 22:30

SinnerBoy · 21/01/2025 21:40

shuggles · Today 20:47

There was no impingement, and no beliefs were imposed on anyone. A woman asked to say a prayer during a meeting, which is not imposing anything on anyone

Yes, it absolutely is an imposition to demand that other people join her in thanking an imaginary being for getting a sex offender elected. It's an imposition to demand that people join in in fantasy conversations with imaginary beings for any reason.

It's more than an imposition. Under the Equality Act belief and non-belief are both protected and anyone whose behaviour could be interpreted as seeking to impose their religious beliefs on anyone of another faith (or none) could be accused of discrimination.

Mischance · 21/01/2025 22:32

Just say that you wish to absent yourself from the meeting for the prayer item and could someone please let you know when it is over so you can return for the rest of the meeting.

HorrorFan81 · 21/01/2025 22:33

Mischance · 21/01/2025 22:32

Just say that you wish to absent yourself from the meeting for the prayer item and could someone please let you know when it is over so you can return for the rest of the meeting.

I'd do this too

CrowleyKitten · 21/01/2025 22:36

KIlliePieMyOhMy · 21/01/2025 21:11

Matthew 6 5 - 6

“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

that's the one!

healthybychristmas · 21/01/2025 22:36

Did she make more money when he was in last time? Genuine question because I would've thought the answer would be no but it would be interesting to know what she said about that.

travellinglighter · 21/01/2025 22:43

Fartypants83 · 21/01/2025 15:50

Most people aren't atheists and don't agree belief can be split from their being, whether in the workplace or not. People can't leave thier beliefs or philosophies at the door.

Just go along with it and then move on if you don't like it.

It's near run thing though and Christians in the uk are outnumbered by those of other faiths and no faith outnumber them by a significant percentage. Given that less than 10% of the population actually go to church I suspect that there is a huge percentage of people who claim to be christian are christian in name only.

Whatzzitz · 21/01/2025 22:44

Totally inappropriate however I’m not sure I could resist praying for something crazy like Brad Pitt.

MissionBiscuits · 21/01/2025 22:45

shuggles · 21/01/2025 20:53

@MissionBiscuits I see the point you're trying to make, but for starters Democrats aren't known for trying to force their religious beliefs on others,

Well I'm sure Mike Pence would say a prayer in this context, but he's anti-Trump and voted for Harris. That's just one example out of the 75 million people who voted Democrat at the last US election. For you to say that every single Democrat voter is the type of person who doesn't preach or pray in public is you just making things up.

Would that the same Mike Pence (lifelong Republican and former VP to Trump) who said he was conservative through and through and would categorically NOT be voting for Harris? Try again.

MissConductUS · 21/01/2025 22:58

Pence also declined to endorse Trump, so he may not have cast a vote for either.

DogPawsMud · 21/01/2025 22:58

I would ask to say a prayer for all displaced people, refugees and those now fearing deportation from the place they call home.

Mulberry974 · 21/01/2025 23:02

I'm a Christian but find this a bit mad and intrusive. But then I'm British and don't assume everyone shares my faith.

MissionBiscuits · 21/01/2025 23:09

Gwenhwyfar · 21/01/2025 20:10

Not appropriate and I'm a (doubting) Christian.

However, singing carols was banned from my work Christmas party and I don't really agree with that.

Maybe they just didn’t want to listen to a bunch of tone-deaf, drunk people singing loudly?! Especially if it was being held somewhere there might be other people. 🙉

RubyMentor · 21/01/2025 23:20

Like fuck
Would I sit there while someone thanks God for Trump the orange one for MAGA

Garlicnorth · 21/01/2025 23:23

RedHelenB · 21/01/2025 20:19

I'd be so tempted to take the piss, with a load of Amen Sister and Hallelujahs.

You can mix these up with exclamations of "Allahu Akhbar!", "Satan, have pity on my long despair!", "Ramen 🙏" and "I believe in fairies" 😂

MemorableTrenchcoat · 21/01/2025 23:29

Mischance · 21/01/2025 22:32

Just say that you wish to absent yourself from the meeting for the prayer item and could someone please let you know when it is over so you can return for the rest of the meeting.

There shouldn’t be a prayer item during a work meeting in the first place.

Burntt · 22/01/2025 00:01

I'm a Christian. Forcing someone else to participate in your beliefs is not ok.

I think it would be reasonable for A to prey herself before the meeting starts. If others would like to prêt may y give it a minute at the start but no one should be forced to participate. Just sit there silently and don't say amen

Azandme · 22/01/2025 07:25

shuggles · 21/01/2025 20:49

@Azandme Freedom of religion DOES include freedom from religion.

To a point. It means you are free not to go to church, but it doesn't mean you're allowed to get your panties into a twist over (for example) a muslim colleague praying in your office.

You're right, in the specific scenario you gave. However, this particular circumstance isn't someone going about their individual religious business in your vicinity - it's someone wanting to force others to be party to their individual beliefs.

One person's right to religious freedom does not supersede another person's right to religious freedom - including the right to not have it actively inflicted on them.

If the colleague wants to pray alone in the office, she can crack on. What she can't do is inflict it on others - for example as part of a group meeting.

I noticed you used the word panties, which is a very American word, in which case you may have a different view culturally, but this absolutely would contravene the OP's right to religious freedom in the UK.

Original poster

Iamthewintersale · 22/01/2025 07:53

Prayer Update ! Prayer is no longer on the agenda. Got a message from line mgr saying it’s off the agenda and I was t the only one who queried it…
All will be revealed later I suppose. A is still leading the team meet so I suppose is free to make comment on that or anything else!

OP posts:

Original poster

Iamthewintersale · 22/01/2025 07:55

‘To a point. It means you are free not to go to church, but it doesn't mean you're allowed to get your panties into a twist over (for example) a muslim colleague praying in your office.’

For me the difference is my Muslim colleagues wouldn’t expect me to join in. Or stop what I was doing while they did their thing.
We do have observant Muslim colleagues and none of them pray in front of colleagues. There is space for them pray in the offices so I presume they do it privately .

OP posts:

sashh · 22/01/2025 08:10

Good result OP

Original poster

Iamthewintersale · 22/01/2025 08:56

Yes, hopefully no come back. Heard from a couple of others this morning and we’re divided into ‘not right at all’ and ‘what’s the harm of it?’ Camps .

OP posts:

BlackCountryWench2 · 22/01/2025 09:23

Personally, I think it’s totally inappropriate. This is a religious (and possibly political) act during work’s time. On the other hand, I’d be interested to know what you all think about a colleague I had a few years ago. She was given time to pray every day (large hospital site so there was a dedicated prayer room). This was quite a walk away, so she would be away from her desk for well over an hour each day, and on Fridays, she was barely at her desk at all. She was not expected to take flexi to cover this. I would estimate that she was at prayer at least 12 hours of the working week. I found this really unfair but didn’t raise it because, you know. What are your thoughts here?

fashionqueen0123 · 22/01/2025 09:28

BlackCountryWench2 · 22/01/2025 09:23

Personally, I think it’s totally inappropriate. This is a religious (and possibly political) act during work’s time. On the other hand, I’d be interested to know what you all think about a colleague I had a few years ago. She was given time to pray every day (large hospital site so there was a dedicated prayer room). This was quite a walk away, so she would be away from her desk for well over an hour each day, and on Fridays, she was barely at her desk at all. She was not expected to take flexi to cover this. I would estimate that she was at prayer at least 12 hours of the working week. I found this really unfair but didn’t raise it because, you know. What are your thoughts here?

What if the whole team decided to do that.

Kokina · 22/01/2025 09:29

BlackCountryWench2 · 22/01/2025 09:23

Personally, I think it’s totally inappropriate. This is a religious (and possibly political) act during work’s time. On the other hand, I’d be interested to know what you all think about a colleague I had a few years ago. She was given time to pray every day (large hospital site so there was a dedicated prayer room). This was quite a walk away, so she would be away from her desk for well over an hour each day, and on Fridays, she was barely at her desk at all. She was not expected to take flexi to cover this. I would estimate that she was at prayer at least 12 hours of the working week. I found this really unfair but didn’t raise it because, you know. What are your thoughts here?

Imo She should cover lost hours by working late or coming in early...