Atheists: do you "pray"? or continue religious rituals?

[Rasmus]

If I visit a friends place, and they rub blue mud on their belly, I will do the same simply out of respect that I am a Stranger ina Strange Land. I will not believe that it helps, but there appears to be no point in being deliberately provocative when I am a guest in another place.

There is something *seriously* wrong with the notion that somebody is being "deliberately provocative" for simply not taking part in somebody else's rituals.

If that sort of things offends you I will either happily leave your place and never ever interact with you again, or, if it's not actually your place and you only think it is (like your home town, country, etc. pp.) I shall point and laugh and ridicule you like you deserve.

Following somebody elses rituals seems to be a pretty minor thing in most circumstances, and not worth getting worked up over.

If that is so, then why should not following them suddenly be such a big deal?

 

[maddog]

Thank you all for sharing your wisdom, experiences, and humor -- I really appreciate all y'all's responses!

I'd like to join Hokulele and Tanstaafl for shrimp creole, and Miss Kitt for a ballgame anytime the M's come to Baltimore (or vice versa, if I ever get to Seattle with the O's). I know all about "puppet immunity" -- I've used that (or a version thereof) for years!

Let me clarify a little -- it's not so much that I "pray" as in talking to or believing in any supernatural being or deity -- it's more that I appreciate the rituals. Dinner can't start until after "saying grace" any more than a ballgame can start until after the national anthem or you can blow out the candles until after "Happy Birthday" has been sung.

I guess what I would really like is a way to transition to non-theist (but not "anti-theist", if you know what I mean) rituals that still work acceptably well for My Precious Wife, as well as for other friends and family members among whom I may or may not be "out" as an atheist. Or, not even transition, but just sometimes have a turn with different (non-theist) words at the pre-dinner ritual. As much as I don't want to be, or feel, excluded from a "prayer" ritual, I also wouldn't want to exclude others... I'm sure you all can understand what I mean by that.

I'm also not trying to proselytize my atheism. I took a long path, and definitely a growth path, in getting here, that came with the backing and support of my loved ones. I would like to nudge others toward growth, but not force them in my direction if that is not right for them. I dunno. Maybe I'm over-thinking it all?

Anyway, thanks for all your thoughts! I appreciate it.
Maddog

 

[The Atheist]

I now call myself a "Catholic Atheist" ...

Ah, you're Irish, that explains everything.

If I'm playing a game or something and I want a particular randomized result to go a certain way I wll repeat it in my head to "make it happen"- does that count?

"C'mon, roll a six, six, six six sixsixsix. Big Money, no whammys!"

Never for six, but my $75 parlay yo? Damn right.

There is something *seriously* wrong with the notion that somebody is being "deliberately provocative" for simply not taking part in somebody else's rituals.

Correct.

It's pretty easy to deliberately provoke, though. I reserve that for rare occasions; always goes down a treat, the old deliberate disrespect of deeply-felt traditions.