Restaurant's 'Prayer Discount' Sparks Mix Of Praise, Anger

[Goblinmonger]

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/08/01/337110193/restaurants-prayer-discount-sparks-mix-of-praise-anger

by SCOTT NEUMAN
August 01, 2014 1:22 PM ET

Updated at 3:15 p.m. ET.

When Jordan Smith got her tab after breakfast at Mary's Gourmet Diner in Winston-Salem, N.C., she was pleasantly surprised to find a 15 percent discount — for "praying in public."

Smith, on a business trip, tells HLN that she and her colleagues "prayed over our meal and the waitress came over at the end of the meal and said, 'Just so you know, we gave you a 15 percent discount for praying.' "

Smith then snapped a photo of her receipt, complete with a line item for "15% Praying in Public ($6.07)" and posted it to her Facebook page. Not surprisingly, it's gone viral.

Some people wondered if it was just another social media hoax, but Shama Blalock, a co-owner of the diner, confirmed to NPR that "It's for real; it does exist."

more at link

So those with privilege will see no problem with this. I'm sure many here on DU will chime in like before with "go to church and get a discount" that if we want the discount we just need to pray and it doesn't mean we have to believe. It would be nice if people would actually realize what this says about the mentality of our country toward non-believers.

[liberal N proud]

1. Everyone bow your head for 2 minutes = 15%

Anybody can do that, they don't know that you actually prayed.

[kdmorris]

8. So I have to pretend to do something that I don't believe in?

Just for a 15% discount?

No thanks... I'm sick of putting up with people who think they can coerce me into believing the way that they do.

I'll just continue to go elsewhere when these sorts of proclivities become obvious (I'll never set food in a Hobby Lobby and I'll never eat at this place)

[liberal N proud]

9. No, but it is easy to fake the pray was my point

These morons are giving a discount for what the think is prayer, when the prayers may not actually be praying.

I wonder if a Muslim family would get a discount?

[kdmorris]

10. Oh! Well, that's a fine point to be sure...

the written word sucks for inflection and tone Sorry, I misunderstood.

[mr blur]

2. As the Friendly Atheist suggests, order $44.40 worth of food first.

[cleanhippie]

4. The theocrats probably wouldn't understand that.

[skepticscott]

5. It would be more appropriate

to order $6.66 worth of food. Or to leave a $6.66 tip every time you ate there, no matter what.

[Lordquinton]

14. I think the 44.40 is a better idea

I don't know anywhere you could get any amount of food for 6.66 these days.

[47of74]

3. Matthew 6...

“When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners [d]so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:5-6)

And to get their prayer discount too now, it seems.

[JNelson6563]

6. Ah the reward system.

Act the way we want you to and get a discount.

Not too blatant or anything...

Julie

[skepticscott]

7. Some people like to be sheep

For me, I'd rather pay full price and not be herded, or just stay away altogether.

[Curmudgeoness]

11. I would not be subsidizing these discounts

by patronizing this restaurant. There are just too many options on where I spend my money. And I guarantee you that I would be paying full price if I were there.

But it might be fun to go in there for a cup of coffee just to see everyone who eats there all of a sudden bowing their heads over their meals.....because I have never seen anyone pray over their meals at a restaurant. Not ever. Not even when I have been with some of my most fundie acquaintances.

[LostOne4Ever]

12. How is that legal?

Like the article says anti-discrimination laws specifically had religion as one of the protected groups. Giving discounts to people who pray is no different than charging non-religious people more.

I would be contacting my attorney if I frequented that restaurant.

[Curmudgeoness]

13. I had that explained to me thus....

It would be illegal if there was an "extra charge" for not praying, but any business has the right to extend a discount to anyone. Some businesses even will give free meals to family members or the homeless who cannot afford a meal, and that is also legal. It would only be a problem if the price posted, and agreed to by anyone who orders a meal there, was surcharged for lack of prayer.

But you have a point...the diners who do not go in for public prayer are really paying more, thus subsidizing the praying people. I can see that everyone in there will be praying in no time. I would never bother to give them my business, but if I did, I would have a real awe-inspiring and enthusiastic prayer....sort of like the Harry Met Sally restaurant scene.

[skepticscott]

15. Perhaps the thing to do

would be to pray to Satan..or some other less savory entity...and loudly. If they didn't give you the discount then, you could make a case for religious discrimination, which is illegal.

I'd also love to see what they do if a Muslim customer took their prayers just before eating. My guess is that wouldn't go over too well. I'm sure the Christian privilege is very strong among these folk.

[Curmudgeoness]

16. I am sure that you are right.

It has to be a Christian prayer to get a discount. Fuck them. I wouldn't want to bother enough to find a loophole to sue them, although I do understand others wanting to do so.

[amuse bouche]

17. So talking to yourself gets you a discount.

Yay for looking like a loony tune

[mr blur]

18. Update - they've stopped doing it,

after a letter from the Freedom From Religion Foundation.

The owner put a sign in the window:

We at Mary’s value the support of ALL our fellow Americans. While you may exercise your right of religious freedom at this restaurant by praying over your meal to any entity or non-entity, we must protect your freedom from religion in a public place. We are no longer issuing the 15% praying in public discount. It is illegal and we are being threatened by lawsuit. We apologize to our community for ANY offense this discount has incurred.

More:
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/08/07/north-carolina-diner-halts-15-discount-for-praying-customers-after-ffrf-sends-warning-letter/

[onager]

19. She couldn't resist snarking in her note.

...we must protect your freedom from religion in a public place.

Oh well. If the Xians of Winston-Salem want prayer discounts, maybe some other local businesses can step up and provide them. I found a few candidates. Addresses/phone numbers redacted:

Strip Clubs in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
https://www.tuscl.net/c.php?CID=206

1. Filly's Gentlemen's Club
Club Type: Topless
Reviews: 91 • Last Review: August 6, 2014

2. Harper's
Club Type: Nude
Reviews: 83 • Last Review: August 2, 2014

3. Lust
Club Type: Topless
Reviews: 37 • Last Review: July 24, 2014

4. Club Risque
Club Type: Topless
Reviews: 46 • Last Review: July 12, 2014

5. Paper Moon
Club Type: Topless
Reviews: 40 • Last Review: February 11, 2014

Strip Clubs Near Winston-Salem, North Carolina

6. Mirage Exotic Nightlife
Club Type: Topless
Reviews: 39 • Last Review: August 5, 2014

7. Southside Johnny's
Club Type: Nude
Reviews: 131 • Last Review: July 18, 2014

8. Christie's Cabaret
Club Type: Topless
Reviews: 116 • Last Review: July 16, 2014

9. Gold Club
Club Type: Topless
Reviews: 56 • Last Review: July 16, 2014

10. Mint
Club Type: Topless
Reviews: 56 • Last Review: July 10, 2014