Be careful where you eat.. this incident happened here in Albany, GA., but
apparently it is Steak 'N' Shake policy. Send this out to all your
friends and relatives wherever they may be. Let our Christian voices be heard!!
This is an incident that just recently happened right here in Albany, Georgia, a few weeks ago:
A local church youth group was returning from a church outing &
decided to stop in at the Steak 'n' Shake in Albany, Georgia to eat. There
were a dozen or more teenagers around the age of 16 year of age and a few
adults. The teenagers were sitting together, in one area of the
restaurant.
The parents were at a different table giving the teenagers some "privacy".
Everyone ordered & received their food. One of the teenager's stood
up & told the group to be quiet for the blessing of the food. The teenager
said the blessing out loud over their food. Several of the other customers
bowed their heads.
After the grace (prayer) was over, the Steak 'n' Shake Manager came
over to the young guy & started lecturing the teenager on Steak & Shake's
policy, informed him that the practice of public prayer was illegal. She
told him that he was not allowed to pray out loud in Steak & Shake
Restaurants, and that if he did it again they would be asked to leave. She
was shaking her finger in his face, criticizing & ridiculing him for
praying out loud in the Steak 'n' Shake Restaurant. This was mainly a group of
teenagers who didn't realize the ramifications of this action. One of the
adults did stepped up to the manager & told her (the manager) that she
didn't need to be attacking the teenager.
One of the adult who was there (who I would trust more than any of
the teenagers) said that some of the waitresses came over after the
incident and told the teenager that they supported him and gave him the
name of the manager who just did this and a number to call and complain.
This was done behind the back of the manager who "laid down the law", which is
understandable since it is company policy, they could be fired for
breaking the rules. The teenage youth doesn't want to get anybody in trouble, and
won't provide the name of the offending party.
Later, after hearing of this incident, one of the youth group's
parent or grandparent called the Albany Steak 'n' Shake Restaurant and asked to
speak to the manager. She asked the person who answered the phone about the
incident, and they told her the General Manager was coming in the next day and
she should call back then and talk to them.
She called back the next day, told the story of the incident, and
was told by the General Manager that it is indeed the policy of Steak 'n'
Shake Restaurants. That you may pray, but praying out loud could disturb or
offend the other customers and you may be asked to leave. Steak 'n' Shake
has a "no vocal prayer policy". If you break that rule, you may be asked to leave.
The teenager who prayed was not asked to leave, in fact, nobody left
when the manager did this, and I believe they should have gotten up, left
the food right there on the tables & without paying walked out.
The teenagers are terrified that this is going to get somebody in trouble and
wants no part of any protest.
As a Christian Adult, I feel it is just another attack on
Christians. We have lost prayer in our public schools, lost prayer at school
games & school functions. They are trying to take God out of the Government
buildings, off our money, etc. I sure don't want to lose my right to give
thanks over my food to the Lord who provided it to me in public.
Business are supported by our "In God We Trust" dollars. The
customers "vote" for the businesses they like with their "In God We Trust"
dollars. As a Christian, I will vote to eat at restaurants where I am
allowed to pray. I will also vote to eat at restaurants where I can take a
Christian group or go with a Christian group to eat & be able to pray out
loud.
As a Christian, I'm outraged, & wasn't sure what to do. So I took it
to the Lord (I prayed) & God answered right away. He told me to tell all
the world - I feel that I should tell people, so they could make an informed
decision. There are probably other restaurants out there that feel the
same way, but if Christians stick together we can at least make them miss our
business!
What is this teaching our youth & children? That they can't pray in
public places or bless their food?
Please forward this to everyone on your E-mail list.
Christians need to know & be heard, we've been silent long enough.
God Bless You!
PS. I would like to hear any feed back you might have on this incident or if
you've encountered a similar incident or experience in any particular restaurant.
― and what, Friday, 27 April 2007 19:50 (eighteen years ago)