Vocal Praying in Car

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   So what's everyone's take on someone who very vocally prays his morning prayers in the back of your car?  I'm contemplating not picking this person up again in the future.

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ETC Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 08 Dec 2009 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote ETC Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Vocal Praying in Car Posted: 15 Feb 2013 at 9:21am
	So what's everyone's take on someone who very vocally prays his morning prayers in the back of your car? I'm contemplating not picking this person up again in the future.

GetMeOffOLine Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 23 Jan 2013 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote GetMeOffOLine Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15 Feb 2013 at 1:42pm
	Well isn't the established etiquette, that you're not to talk unless the driver initiates conversation? Personally I think that's very rude, to the driver. 395 is crazy enough as it is, without someone in the back seat being loud. I wouldn't blame you for not picking them up again. Yikes.

Pele Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 27 May 2008 Location: Virginia Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pele Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 Feb 2013 at 5:53pm
	Is this person trying to "Save" you? Was there an animal sacrifice involved? Is this person praying for something violent (EG, the death of a political figure) or absurd (EG, the ability to levitate cupcakes at will) to happen? Does this person have an active, two way conversation with God, Satan, Allah, The Flying Spaghetti Monster, or his/her deity of choice? I'd think that a prayer shouldn't take much longer than it takes for everyone to put their seatbelts on and for you to shift the car into gear and release the parking brake. Wouldn't bother me in the least... Now if they prayed after a driving maneuver, that's a different story. That'd put a smile on my face. :)

AngloAustrian Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 25 Sep 2009 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote AngloAustrian Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 Feb 2013 at 12:34pm
	I agree with Pele - no talking in the car unless the driver invites conversation. Praying would not constitute conversation (not with the driver, anyway). Even then, politics and religion should be no-nos - and this would qualify as religion. I would tolerate one sentence of praying ("May God help me get there alive") but if you're talking "God bless mom, and God bless Dad, and help me get my promotion," ad inf for 5 minutes or more, I would say that constitutes disregard of the slugging rules and grounds for not picking up. Interesting problem, though!

ETC Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 08 Dec 2009 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote ETC Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 19 Feb 2013 at 5:33am
	Oh, I'd pray to the Flying Spaghetti Monster most definitely. These were morning prayers that used to be quiet but last time almost sing songy. I appreciate religion and I understand Muslim religions require praying 5 times a day, but I am quite unsure how to politely ask someone to keep it private.

colossus911 Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 19 May 2006 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote colossus911 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 19 Feb 2013 at 12:36pm
	Your choice not to pick them up....you may want to consider your driving habits...he may not pray in all cars just yours.

GetMeOffOLine Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 23 Jan 2013 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote GetMeOffOLine Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 19 Feb 2013 at 1:25pm
	quote: Originally posted by AngloAustrian I agree with Pele - no talking in the car unless the driver invites conversation. Praying would not constitute conversation (not with the driver, anyway). Even then, politics and religion should be no-nos - and this would qualify as religion. I would tolerate one sentence of praying ("May God help me get there alive") but if you're talking "God bless mom, and God bless Dad, and help me get my promotion," ad inf for 5 minutes or more, I would say that constitutes disregard of the slugging rules and grounds for not picking up. Interesting problem, though! This is true, technically it's not true "conversation" but still, the overarching rule that I've always understood, is that if you are a rider, you're to stay quiet until or unless the driver says something first. If I were the driver, I'd find it distracting and not be too happy about that. If folks want to pray, fine, but they need to do it quietly and not distract the driver or other riders. It's about courtesy and respect for others.