That prayer to Jesus is inappropriate at a company party?

[Kate8889]

I went with my husband to a company Christmas party and before we started to eat a woman came to the microphone and said a short prayer in the name of Jesus as thanks/blessings for the food. Everyone was expected to bow their head.

This is the first time I've been witness to something like this, it is a secular company with many Jewish, Muslim and agnostic people. We have been going to this Christmas party for 7 years and it's never been like this.

I thought they were all watching BBC then switched to ITV...? No? They did in my school's version, anyway. 😊

No! Well, fancy that, eh?
🙄

My god, I’d forgotten that version! 😆

Yes if they started praying at people.
But, as pp said, nobody is actually this dense.

No, it would not. As you know.

So if she says a few words about Jesus she's ramming her beliefs down your throat and insisting everyone partake but if she's saying a few words about someone else you're not fond of she's not ramming her beliefs down your throat? Just expressing HER beliefs.

Lots of people are ‘offended’. Very clearly so.
Yet again, I in no way feel that anyone is stopping me practicing anything. Nor do I feel that I saying a prayer in the context of a secular Christmas party is appropriate. But, if it was a person of a different Faith to me or none who had done so, I wouldn’t be complaining. I’d appreciate their words, their probable sincerity and think that they were a bit misguided in that situation. It was a room full of adults, surely people can choose not to take part and move on.
I’ve written this so many times, but my point is that it’s bonkers to be so outraged by somebody saying a few words of love and gratitude ‘to Jesus’, or anyone else. I do agree that it was misguided in a workplace situation, but people’s very clear offence and the OPs need to complain is just ridiculous. It’s the modern disease and it’s not doing anyone any favors.
Respectfully, I think you need to get a grip.

Or do you just have a problem with her expression HER Christian beliefs?
Would you really have the same problem if someone from another faith or no fairh expressed their beliefs?

Not very inclusive or accepting of you is it. Quite bigoted actually

Nobody is "outraged", we just understand basic workplace etiquette and societal cues and that it was inappropriate in that scenario and would have made others uncomfortable. This isn't someone sat at a table offering a private prayer. This isn't someone at one of your personal family gatherings. It's someone on a microphone at a work event behaving as if her colleagues are her congregation. It has a "conversion attempt" type energy. Just no.

It's neither "bigoted" nor "non-inclusive" at a work event. But you already know that, and keep copying and pasting the same words. Still won't wash, I'm afraid.

Of course it is.
If she was of any other faith this would have phobic stamped all over it.

People keep going on about workplace etiquette, like I said, I don't know of many workplaces where drinking is allowed so I guess the rules are relaxed slightly in certain situations like at a Christmas party? Which I would argue could be seen as way more inappropriate than a quick prayer.

The origin of Christmas is the celebration of Christ’s birth. Regardless of other ceremonies/holidays/whatever that fall, or fell, on the same date. Nobody knows exactly when Christ was born. The 25th of December was probably chosen for the celebration precisely because new believers were accustomed having a knees up in the middle of winter.

‘Christ’mas. Clue’s in the name

I can’t see the issue

no one is forced to join the prayer

That really is complete bollocks. Christians in the UK are so desperate to be persecuted. Which is incredibly insulting to Christians in the countries where they actually are.

What the hell are you talking about, you think that woman said a prayer to get some sort of backlash?
Unless her prayer created some sort of public disorder it really shouldn't be seen as a problem. Do you think any people present of other faiths were really offended by a Christian saying a few words? That wouldn't be very tolerant now would it?
Should we not all be tolerant of other people's religion anymore?

No. It’s you that’s saying nobody would object to any other faith imposing prayers in this bizarre manner.

It’s Advent

Anyone who would object to a quick prayer or blessing at a party, work or otherwise, is not a very tolerant person imo

This is a good example. It’s ok to pray or drink alcohol individually at the Christmas party- standing up and telling everyone they should put down the soft drinks and also drink alcohol would be as inappropriate as trying to lead the group in prayer and assuming everyone could join in.

I’m sure encouraging people to drink alcohol also happens in some workplaces- but that doesn’t mean its ok.

My company (non-religious, multi-site, education sector in London) made a big deal out of Ramadan and Eid with colleagues this year. Just checked my emails and our HR director sent an email beginning, ‘As we enter the Holy month of Ramadam…(!!)’ There were video screens in the foyer and canteen with references to Eid up all month, and an Iftar organised that everyone was invited to. Fasting was referred to in a gushing way, and the Iftar described in such positive terms, ‘reflect and appreciate the values of generosity, gratitude and togetherness.’ It was called a beautiful tradition.’ Great! …If you are going to give the same attention to, and promotion of, other major religious festivals.

In contrast to this, our Christmas party has been renamed ‘Winter Celebration’ and there has not been one mention of Christmas or Christmas dinner in any email or on video screens, or staff intranet so far. There is a Christmas tree at my site, but it’s placed in a different area to usual, where it’s hardly seen. The difference is stark. A couple of weeks to go, maybe they’ll pull something out the bag but the messaging so far has no mention of Christmas at all.

i don’t think religion belongs at work at all personally (unless the organisation is about religion obviously). But to promote one religious festival / period in this way, while ignoring Christmas, whether you think of it as a religious, or merely, a cultural festival, is awful.

Pictures or it didn’t happen.

Nah, in that situation it's more akin to asking someone if they'd like a pint, unless the woman insisted other people also say the prayer it's really not like trying to force someone to drink alcohol. But I take your point.