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.

Christmas is not a pagan festival, it's centred around Christian religious belief. It's also not "the birthday of Jesus" and the time of year is not all that relevant.

The fact that there are other mid winter festivals does not mean that this one is not Christian, even if, in some places, it borrows celebratory elements.

It's actually quite a Euro-centric perspective, Christmas has been, and is, celebrated in many places. In many of them it is not in winter. And many have differernt traditions that have nothing to do with trees or greenery or anything like that.

It's right up there with people who try and use the same "Easter" to try and say it is a stolen holiday based on European pagan celebrations, completely missing that it isn't called that in the vast majority of places even within Europe.

It's just cheesy bad 19th century historical gobblygook.

There WERE festivals around this time of the year pre Christianity
They became overtaken by Christmas and now the wheel is turning again, maybe a name change is in order?
If we are to insist that the annual end of year company piss up is indeed about Jesus Christ than that should be made clear so people can choose to attend or not
ALL workplaces should be completely secular anyway

I would definitely complain about that. It is even more exclusionary than just the prayer, which is bad enough on it's own.

You are assuming that people who are attending a works christmas party are celebrating the birth of a fictional character?

That's spectacular!

Taking umbrage at a Xmas celebration at Xmas time about someone mentioning Jesus seems overblown. Trying to get someone into trouble seems really malicious.

I am not churchy, but I would let it go by.

Sure it’s a little odd, but I don’t think anyone is under threat.

I don't understand how many people seem to have no concept of the origins of christmas on this thread.
Jesus is in no way the reason for the season.

Bloody hell, you didn't think to mention the fact that it was in the US in the first place? When I read the first post I thought 'Yeah that is a bit weird', but now I know it was in the US it doesn't surprise me in the slightest. If people being overly goddy upsets you then you really are in the wrong place.

As an aside I love the notion that having a feast and a piss-up suspiciously close to the winter solstice is a uniquely Christian thing that nobody else ever thought of.

It is interesting how many expect that people should behave respectfully while being prayed at. Completely disregardi g how disrespectful it is to put peple in that position by doing the praying. Outside of family homes (when there are no guests) and places of worship,prayers should be personal. There is absolutely no reason for them to be said out loud if the intention is not to pray at people.

Literally wrote my thesis on it

Anyone imposing proseltising at a party is not being thoughtful at all. I would be personally offended, yes.

I see it as someone saying "fuck you and your beliefs, mine are more important. So I will hijack this fun occassion and make it uncomfortable so I can feel like a superior religious person."

Is this not a key piece of information? People have already asked is this an American company.

No-one will be surprised at this happening in America because they are more bonkers about religion.

You’re really reaching now. Sad.

You are correct. It should not have been called a Christmas party. It should have been called a end of the year or winter party. This is what our company calls it as many people have not interest in celebration the birthday of Christ and they won’t come

Exactly. Work or a work event is not the place for promoting your religious beliefs.

Because we are celebrating the season you stole from us that we have been celebrating for centuries quite happily without needing any other reason. Hope that helps you “understand” Yuletide blessings to you

Yeah, it’s the microphone and “expecting everyone to bow their heads” they can fuck off with that!

Yes!

You have said exactly what i wanted but, I couldn't find the words. x

People of other faiths Ive met tend to be much nicer and far more resilient actually, it’s always the Christians who do the “boo hoo tears, woe is me, I’m so persecuted, you must let me do whatever I want and listen to me harp on and on and on” crap.

Yeah, I dislike fervent Christians. I don’t care if you don’t like that. Can’t stand their proselytism crap.

Just look at all the right wing trad wife, remove rights to abortion, deny women education and jobs, shite that is coming from the fundamental Christians in the US as well. They pick and choose their Bible quotes to keep women down. Horrible people with horrible views.

Not all Christians proselytise. Just saying.

Typical. Calling facts “smug” when you just don’t like them. Pathetic.

I do like the facts. I love history and the origins of Christianity and the symbology behind certain things we assume to be Christian.

What I don't like is the parroting of this ad nauseum to justify a hysterical reaction by the OP to a pre-meal prayer.

What I also don't like is that this only seems to be directed towards Christian festivals. A quick google AI turns up the following re: Eid:

Pre-Islamic Arabia (Jahiliyyah) had festivals, some linked to seasonal changes, pilgrimage (Hajj), and lunar cycles (worship of Sin/moon god), with traditions like feasting and offerings; Prophet Muhammad transformed these into Islamic Eids (Eid al-Fitr/Adha) by integrating monotheistic worship, charity (Zakat al-Fitr), specific prayers, and ending pagan rituals, establishing distinct celebrations following Ramadan and Hajj.

I don't crow on about this when a colleague wants to celebrate Eid or go on the Hajj.

Hmm. Try mocking Islam and see how you get on.

Maybe Mosques should be banner then because if you’re ever in east London around prayer time you’ll hear it loud and clear with no choice of whether or not you want to listen to it. But no one would ever say anything as it’s only PC to be offended by Christanity and no other religions.

If I walk past a mosque or a Christian church and hear praying then why would that bother me at all?
Its out of place at an office party though