Women ordered to stop praying inside mall

[DesertBerean]

Hrmph. Send in some yoga practioners and see what happens.

[Cow Poke]

I would love to go in and sit down and pray, then challenge them as to how they know I'm praying or just resting.

[Sparko]

I would love to go in and sit down and pray, then challenge them as to how they know I'm praying or just resting.

or just schizophrenic and talking to yourself!

[Sparko]

We ought to send Rogue and Bill the Cat down there. They live not too far away. They could dress in burkas.

[firstfloor]

Hire a PR person before you go out of business, sheesh!

On the other hand, public prayer meetings are a demonstration of exclusivity. I think the owner is entitled to ban religious ceremonies on his property if he wants. That does not prevent prayer by any individual at any time and place.

[Cow Poke]

On the other hand, public prayer meetings are a demonstration of exclusivity.

That's just dumb. I mean, birdbrained goofy dumb! DUMBER than dumb.

I think the owner is entitled to ban religious ceremonies on his property if he wants.

Yeah, cause God only knows it might turn into a RIOT or something!

That does not prevent prayer by any individual at any time and place.

How do you know?

In OTHER news.....

Restaurant offers 15 percent discount to diners who pray publicly before their meal

[Sparko]

On the other hand, public prayer meetings are a demonstration of exclusivity. I think the owner is entitled to ban religious ceremonies on his property if he wants. That does not prevent prayer by any individual at any time and place.

ah exclusivity. Like people don't go to malls in groups or something because that would be bad. So they should ban teenagers from hanging out at the mall, or families that shop together, right? Because groups that gather in the mall are bad for business. Glad you straightened us out on that. We should make sure that only single individuals go to the mall and shop, because that way they will sell more merchandise, right?

What about all of the shops in that mall that might be friendly towards theists? Like a Christian bookstore, or a shop that is owned by a Jew or a Christian or a Hindu? They are paying rent to the mall. What gives the mall the right to decide what types of people or what behaviors they express are allowed? Sure they own the space, but without the shops they would be shut down in no time.

[Sparko]

In OTHER news.....

Restaurant offers 15 percent discount to diners who pray publicly before their meal

How dare they? I am sure they will be shut down because they are being unfair to atheists.

[tabibito]

Of course - the question does arise ... how did the security guard surmise from some distance away that the women concerned INTENDED to pray.

Maybe just my suspicious nature, but I'm not buying the story as it stands ....

and

I admit to my shame that I consider First Floor to be right (with regard to group prayer in the middle of a Mall)

I think perhaps that I would object to an impromptu Muslim prayer meeting being held in my mall - and perhaps even a Shinto prayer meeting (which sort of doesn't happen anyway, but ...).

[firstfloor]

Restaurant offers 15 percent discount to diners who pray publicly before their meal

Wow! I’m not sure Jesus would approve though because going through the motions for financial gain is nothing new. This just shows that it’s all about social conformity; you have to prove to us, publicly, that you are one of us, and we are happy to bribe you to obtain the appearance of loyalty in order to intimidate the others.

[firstfloor]

I admit to my shame that I consider First Floor to be right (with regard to group prayer in the middle of a Mall)

Perhaps it would be better if instead of you agreeing with me, I was to agree with you on this occasion.

[Cow Poke]

I admit to my shame that I consider First Floor to be right (with regard to group prayer in the middle of a Mall)

That's actually a good point -- if it was done as a theatrical thing to draw attention, it might be more akin to the Pharisee in the tower. But if they just stopped along the way and had prayer, that's different.

[Cow Poke]

Wow! I’m not sure Jesus would approve though because going through the motions for financial gain is nothing new.

Wow! You ASSUME they're "going through the motions"?

This just shows that it’s all about social conformity; you have to prove to us, publicly, that you are one of us, and we are happy to bribe you to obtain the appearance of loyalty in order to intimidate the others.

You are SO easy.

[Cow Poke]

Perhaps it would be better if instead of you agreeing with me, I was to agree with you on this occasion.

OK, STOP the display of exclusivity this instant, or I'll call the Mall Cop!

[Sparko]

What if a bunch of atheists went to the mall, stood in a circle and DIDN'T pray!?