Are you Christ? Are the diners in that establishment?
Do you concede this part of the debate, or will you answer?
Do you concede this part of the debate, or will you answer?
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What a Diner Did for Customers Who Prayed in Public Wasn’t Only Tolerant, It Was Down
- Thread starter Revmitchell
- Start date
Pastors typically (not always) live on more limited incomes. If a business wished to attract this demographic by doing this, it is a good thing. I have no problem with a business taking a little less profit to do this. It helps our pastors who many not even be able to work outside the church.
and based on that last sentence.- MP believes that disable people should get a discount also.
Bottom line - - MP will support a law he likes, but will not support a law he disagrees with. He simply makes excuses. Not consistency at all.
Magnetic Poles
New Member
What law am I not supporting?
Senior discounts are legal, I am good with it. Civil Rights Act as far as age and places of public accommodation, is silent. I am fine with that.
Don't have any idea what you are trying to drive at.
As to Alcott, your questions are a much bigger debate...the nature of Christ and his sinless nature. That is a huge derail to get in to that. Let's just say that people making a show of praying in a restaurant are denying the very words of Jesus, and saying "Hey, look at me. See you pious I am?"
Did Paul and Silas deny the words of Jesus when they prayed and sang hymns in the Philippian jail, as the other prisoners listened (the text makes a point of saying)?
Magnetic Poles
New Member
Intent and context my friend.
Magnetic Poles
New Member
One may silently, without show or display, offer thanks to God. It doesn't require the outward clothing of piety for validity. God hears and knows the heart. I believe many (not all) who put on such exhibitions, are more about displaying piety than humble gratitude.
Intent and context, or content and in text, it really comes out the same. Some of the prisoners may indeed have thought or said, "You Jew hypocrites! They caught you doing some of your of schemes, and you got beaten, and now you're in jail with us that you call dogs, and you're making a show about your god that let it happen to you!"
Zaac
Well-Known Member
The context is that prayer is not intended to be done just for show. if people are "praying" just so that she can see them and give them a discount, that's a no no.
God praying to God could never be for show.
A cynical view.
OTOH
I believe very few might possibly be putting on a show. But,
As you say, God knows their heart...
and only God. You would do well to remember your own words.
evenifigoalone
Well-Known Member
Morally, I have no objections to this. (Although it encouraging people to pray just for discounts is a good point. Though I doubt the discount was announced to the whole restaurant or anything.)
But...out of curiosity, what if instead the owner had been offering discounts to homosexuals?
But...out of curiosity, what if instead the owner had been offering discounts to homosexuals?
Zaac
Well-Known Member
What does Christians praying to be seen to get a discount have to do with a restaurant owner giving discounts to homosexuals?
evenifigoalone
Well-Known Member
Just asking to see how one would react if the tables were turned and someone else with different beliefs or one we don't agree with was being favored with a discount.
You don't feel it holds any similarity at all?
Zaac
Well-Known Member
Not from the perspective of a Christian. If someone chooses to do something like that , it should have no bearing upon what God has told us to NOT do.
evenifigoalone
Well-Known Member
I'm not asking whether or not it's appropriate for Christians to do. (And neither would I condone it.) Just if it's something a restaurant owner did, how would Christians react?
Zaac
Well-Known Member
Prayerfully we would continue to treat them with respect and continue to share the Gospel. There will always be people outside of the faith doing things that run contrary to God's word.
evenifigoalone
Well-Known Member
That's up to the business owner.
But if they pray silently or very quietly, who would know who or what they were praying to...or even if they were actually praying at all?
The article doesn't say specifically how the owner could tell they were praying or who or what they were praying to.
My personal feeling is that a business owner can give a discount to anyone they please for whatever reason they please.
It's nobody's business but theirs.
Zaac
Well-Known Member
The law agrees with you except in protected situations. This seems to meet the standard of what is considered religious discrimination. And federal law prohibits it. You cannot discriminate against folks who don't pray by charging them more.
I'm sure the folks who posted what she did weren't expecting it to spin into this. But that's why there's just no need to post EVERYTHING on FaceBook.
Many federal judges like to make their own law. That's how we got Roe V Wade.
Doesn't make them right.
A business owner can give anyone they want a discount or not for any reason. It's entirely up to them. If the public doesn't like what they do, they'll close.
I owned a retail business for 10 years. I sold my product for what I wanted to sell it for and gave discounts to anyone I pleased. If someone didn't like it, they could go somewhere else. Let the market rule.
I would have burned it to the ground before I would let anyone or anything tell me any different.