Religious Expression on Cruises

[elmorejj]

I pray privately at home and therefor do the same on the ship. I was raised in the C of E church in England and we seem to have different thoughts than a lot of the fundamentalist religions in the US. I guess we are a little closer to Catholicism in our beliefs. Another reason we like a table for 2, I would not appreciate someone putting their beliefs to me at the DR table. We say Grace silently.....jean :cool:

[Stevesan]

Actually, Stevesan, you were correct the first time. You are perfectly free to share what religious expressions, if any, you engage in on a cruise; likewise, you're perfectly free to keep that your own business and refrain from making any remark at all. Indeed, you can vote on the poll without people knowing how you voted. I made SURE that was kept private.

How very generous of you. I thought it was mandatory. I feel a lot better now.

[WeBeGone]

Just being blessed enough to be able to stand on a ship and watch a sunrise or sunset is a "religious" experience for us. We thank fate, opportunity, and God that we're able to experience all a cruise means to us.

[RuthC]

I speak many little daily prayers of "please" and "thank you" IRL and continue that during every cruise. There's so much more to say "thank you" for then!

 

I do my best to attend weekly religious service on board; sometimes the service is held too early in the morning and I can't get up. God's gotta work with me here.

(I'll go to a daily afternoon service to make up for it, though.)

 

But I consider all this highly personal and private; I would never impose on other's right to choose different (or no) expression.

[Roadguy]

Religiously Eating?....

Religiously Bathing?....Etc.......

How about Praying in the Casino?...

[bombero]

My wife and I love our Father God, and our Lord and Savior Jesus... Although we don't attend services on the ship, we do hold hands and pray out loud before every meal. There's been times when we've been fortunate to be seated at a table with other believers of different denominations, where we all held hands while someone led in a prayer. Sometimes, it's just the two of us who hold hands and pray. Once a couple told me that I offended them. I replied that I would rather offend them then to offend God. They never sat with us again, but that's okay too. They were replaced with a Jewish couple, who always stopped whatever they were doing while we prayed. They were great and we both shared many friendly discussions about our faith and beliefs.. To those of you who don't pray, that's your business and your decision. We do and will continue too, and that's our decision... Bombero

[dakrewser]

Every HAL cruise I have been on has included a Catholic priest who offers daily Mass.

On the Volendam last fall the priest missed the boat, so there were no RC services at all.....

[tomc]

Once a couple told me that I offended them. I replied that I would rather offend them then to offend God.

Not a good way, in my opinion. I'd switch tables, too, if someone forced me to sit thru their religious practice -- and I'm a churchgoer. That's a private, at best consensual, matter. You are forcing someone to be present during a "service" which may conflict with their beliefs. I don't think anyone's concept of a Supreme Being really will get His/Her/Its anthropomorphic nose out of joint because people lay back and do silently, on a cruise, what they might do aloud at home.

[bepsf]

I'm sure I'll get alot of flack for this...

 

Years ago, I did volunteer work with a gay man who was studying for the ministry and attended his ordination service at the Episcopalian church here in SF. He took a calling to a parish back east and we lost touch...

 

When I boarded the RSVP cruise in Feb (a gay charter) i wasn't aboard the O-Dam more than 30 minutes when I stopped in my tracks - there was Father Tim! The charter company had invited him aboard (free passage) as a chaplain to lead services and commitment ceremonies, host daily AA and HIV Positive group counseling discussions, and act as general counselor for anyone who might feel the need while on the trip.

 

Not only was I glad to reconnect with an old friend, but it felt good knowing that the company thought well enough to bringalong someone who could be there for us spiritually.

 

Because I don't consider myself a religious person or participate in organized religion (although I do believe in a greater spiritual force) I would not feel comfy holding hands to participate in a table prayer, however I do respect others beliefs and would allow them a moment.

[DFD1]

Bombero, You're a hard-hearted Christian......or is that a contradiction?

[kelmac]

Yo! Bombero--we're not in the club--please, we are trying to eat here! :D

[Nliedel]

I'm sure I'll get alot of flack for this...

 

Years ago, I did volunteer work with a gay man who was studying for the ministry and attended his ordination service at the Episcopalian church here in SF. He took a calling to a parish back east and we lost touch...

 

When I boarded the RSVP cruise in Feb (a gay charter) i wasn't aboard the O-Dam more than 30 minutes when I stopped in my tracks - there was Father Tim! The charter company had invited him aboard (free passage) as a chaplain to lead services and commitment ceremonies, host daily AA and HIV Positive group counseling discussions, and act as general counselor for anyone who might feel the need while on the trip.

 

Not only was I glad to reconnect with an old friend, but it felt good knowing that the company thought well enough to bringalong someone who could be there for us spiritually.

 

Because I don't consider myself a religious person or participate in organized religion (although I do believe in a greater spiritual force) I would not feel comfy holding hands to participate in a table prayer, however I do respect others beliefs and would allow them a moment.

 

That's wonderful, that you could connect again like that!!!! I am allfor people practing their faith, just PLEASE don't force me to be included!! I worship my way, you worship yours and it's all good.. I won't talkn to you about politics either : )

[bombero]

It appears I offended some of you.. I didn't mean too, nor did I ever say that you were wrong, or that you didn't have a right to your own beliefs as you see them.. I did express my own beliefs and my actions.. I've never asked anyone to hold hands to pray, or even join in, in prayer. What I mentioned in my reply was all voluntary on the part of our table mates. Other than holding my wifes hand to give thanks to God for our food, which is our right, I've never pushed Christianity on anyone. But, if asked, I would gladly tell you anything you'd like to know. The things that were mentioned in my last reply, were all voluntary on the part of our table mates. With one exception, they all expressed a desire to join in, they were not pressured, at least by us. I hope this doesn't get any one upset also, and I hope I explained myself and my actions.. Bombero

[kryos]

To those of you who don't pray, that's your business and your decision. We do and will continue too, and that's our decision... Bombero

I'd love to be your tablemate anytime, Bombero.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[RevNeal]

How very generous of you. I thought it was mandatory. I feel a lot better now.

 

? :confused:

I'm sorry if I have upset you. That was not my intention.

[RevNeal]

But I consider all this highly personal and private; I would never impose on other's right to choose different (or no) expression.

 

Totally agreed.

[RevNeal]

How about Praying in the Casino?...

 

I've heard many prayers being offered up in the Casino.

 

"Oh, God, let it hit this time"

"Oh, God, let it be a 7"

"Oh, God, let it be a 10."

 

I've prayed these myself. :)

I've even bargained with God, promising to pay DOUBLE tithe if he'd let me win. It doesn't work. :D

[ASM]

I marked pray out loud at meals but our out loud certainly can't be heard by anyone else! We also sit at a table for 2. If we were assigned to a larger table, we would pray silently.

[RevNeal]

Once a couple told me that I offended them. I replied that I would rather offend them then to offend God.

 

While I appreciate your faith, and believe you should always feel free to live your faith and pray your prayers, I do not believe that God calls us to be discourteous to those who either don't share our faith or the same kind of devotion. In addition, I don't believe that God is offended when we are courteous to others, even if that means that we change how we would otherwise go about our prayers. It is, after all, possible for believers to pray prior to going to dinner ... or to hold hands and silently pray together prior to beginning the first course and without disturbing others.

 

Frankly, this is what I do when I'm on a cruise and seated at a table where I don't know those around me; I take a short 5 seconds to offer a silent prayer before I begin my first course. I don't bow my head, close my eyes, and move my lips ... it is fully possible to pray with one's eyes open ... I just hold very still and pray. However, after a couple nights of this the three other couples at my table asked me what I was doing. I told them and, the following evening, these three couples all asked me if I would lead them in grace that evening (I think they conferred together about this before I got to the table). I did. But that was an invited, and agreed upon communal act which they initiated, not I.

 

If someone(s) are offended or feel their rights infringed upon by my overtly praying in public, I would rather lean on God's Grace and be courteous toward such by not offending them. It is my opinion that this is a much better reflection of the Love of God than being rude and insensitive to others.

[RevNeal]

Not only was I glad to reconnect with an old friend, but it felt good knowing that the company thought well enough to bringalong someone who could be there for us spiritually.

 

Thank you for sharing this, Brian, it was very good to read. I find it interesting to note all the many different kinds of stereotypes that all sorts of people have of others; many people view others through expectations and prejudices that have very little to do with reality. This is particularly true when it comes to both religion and sexual orientation. Frankly, I enjoy watching such prejudices being dismantled.

 

Sadly, my denomination bars me from performing Holy Union services for homosexual couples; although I can bless their homes, their cars, their pets, their meals, and even them as individual persons, I cannot bless them as a couple. However, I'm very glad that there are other clergy who are allowed to do so.

[Stevesan]

? :confused:

I'm sorry if I have upset you. That was not my intention.

Revneal, you couldn't possibly upset me. I'm only affected by those I take seriously.

[bombero]

Hello RevNeal... I've read a few of your posts.. Would you please e-mail me?.. Bombero095@yahoo.com .... Thanks...

[digby]

OH LOOK , a can of worms...... wonder whats inside ! Probably shouldn't go there, but can't resist. Honestly , I for one ,would feel very uncomfortable , and a hypocrite if asked to join in any prayer at the dinner table.

 

I would too, and would not participate. I think it is outrageous that anyone would assume a group of stangers would want to join in what should be so private as prayer. I have no problem with people being religious, but don't force it on others. I'm sure Miss Manners would agree.

[jazzsea]

When my dixieland Jazz groups are aboard HAL ships we have a dixieland gospel service each Sunday. It is one of the few times during the cruise that our music is open to the public. We pack the main show lounge regardless of the ship size. That is my idea of church.

[tomc]

Digby said:

I'm sure Miss Manners would agree.

Miss Manners replies...

 

Miss Manners has long held that there are many actions, which are done by nearly everyone in the world, that we generally keep private. The exceptions tend to be after a frat party or during times of altered mental competence. Many of these actions are, indeed, quite good and praiseworthy toward achieving a goal. However, “good” is not a one-word substitute for “hey, guys; watch this.”

 

Of all the practices which cause us insight, a sense of completeness and even a certain degree of pleasure, prayer is one which is best done either privately or within a group of like-minded individuals but not in a public place. Not everyone is religious and would appreciate being forced to watch people perform a religious ritual, no matter how brief or well-meant. When we are on a cruise, our purpose is to vacation, not to find souls which might need saving. If they are in that predicament, our words of blessing over the prime rib aren’t going to have much effect.

 

Miss Manners suggests that, instead, you bow your heads for a short silent prayer without drawing attention to yourselves. If you feel the Lord has called you to save your fellow passengers, it may be a sign that you forgot to take your meds that morning.