Moments of silence are a ritualized public sign of respect, but other than that they are neutral. You can use them for prayer if you are so-inclined, or just remembrance and reflection. Or to decide where to go for lunch.
It's a one-size-fits-all alternative to public prayer that accommodates religious rivals as well as nonbelievers.
Dear Joseph Tham,
You ask the follwing: Is it reasonable to think that "a moment of silence" is equivalent to a prayer?
I think so. Once Wittgenstein remarked that there is a time for words, and a time to remain silent. So, a moment of silence may be equivalent to one or more than one prayer. Note also that a wise man only speakes when s/he has something to say. On the contrary, a fool man speaks because s/he wants to say something.
KInd regards,
Orlando
“Sometimes it’s best to stay quiet. The silence can speak volumes without ever saying a word.”
Anonymous
“He who does not understand your silence will probably not understand your words.”
Elbert Hubbard
"Open your mouth only if what you are going to say is more beautiful than the silence.”
Spanish Proverb
“Successful people always have two things on their lips. Silence and a smile.”
Anonymous
“Don’t waste words on people deserve your silence. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can say is nothing at all.”
Mandy Hale
"When you build in silence, they don’t know what to attack.”
Anonymous
“Silence is one of the great arts of conversation.”
Marcus Tullius Cicero
“I have often regretted my speech, never my silence.”
Xenocrates
“Work hard in silence, let your success make the noise.”
Frank Ocean
"Through the portals of silence, the healing sun of wisdom and peace will shine upon you.”
Paramahansa Yogananda
"Quiet and silence is a form of power. Thoughtful and wise people are not talkative people.”
Dr T.P.Chia
"Surely silence can sometimes be the most eloquent reply.”
Ali Ibn Abi Talib R.A
Dear Joseph Tham
I consider a "moment of silence" to be a beginning moment of meditation. Or, a beginning moment of contemplation. Of course, some could and some do pray. But, it seems to be an overreaction to worry about a moment of silence (per se; just that) being much-wrong, unjust, or much-biased (even if there is some intent of the one(s) asking that you "do" the "moment" to want you to use it for prayer). It is much clearly worse, and arguably a notable and concern-worthy bad thing, if they expressly (explicitly) ASK FOR PRAYER; still, it seems mostly in its inherent nature a rather very open thing. AND, also (and this is the best counter argument to the idea that we should have notable concerns about it): I think that many times the most explicit reason for a moment of silence is to show respect, just some sign of respect (very good intentions, perhaps some good effect).
Worrying about what people use moments of silence for is kind of like worrying what people are thinking about when they stop/are stopped to say "hello" to someone else (or some others) for unclear reason (and sometimes this is a bit forced/demanded). In standard "moments of silence" people can still at least do what they want/choose to do (from a array of possibilities) : even rest ... . I would never object, just because of the very, very common "showing respect" [supposed[ aspect -- and, for example, one's contemplation could well be on thinking of their respect for the other(s). Yet, "technically": asking for prayer is wrongful and needless because of the clear bias -- even if they cannot overtly observe your response.
That all said, I do not personally like prescribed or demanded "moments of silence", because someone is telling people what to do and where and when to do it (though we may all do that very thing at some time in response to the event that has occurred). It seems those leaders that demand a "moment of silence", even in its best light, in the best way, are "determining"/demanding the when/where/if of this practice, which likely best should be left to the individual. But, there are some reasonable counter-arguments above (in particular: showing a sign of respect), and when prayer is not explicitly suggested, it seems "all good" ("close enough").
And, considering it again, in some perspective of at least vaguely similar things: it is much less egregious than having (on demand) to say a Pledge of Allegiance to your country when it contains the words "under God" -- there have been reasonable legal cases about that BUT: If little has been done about this much clearer problem, I believe nothing will be done about "moments of silence"
Brad Jesness Thank you very much for your detailed answer. I am not sure if I fully understand all of your ideas. Let me think about them.
Honestly I believe it is a matter of perspective not from the one observing the moment but from the originator. If I called for a moment to pray mentally and invited other then yes it is equivalent. If a school allows for a moment of silence in lieu of what was once prayer time then no the moment has been diminished unless of course the redesign was implemented to be more inclusive.
The most important thing to remember is that people don’t need special moments to pray. Relationships with Jesus are constant and Christians should be in constant contact I.e. prayer.
Lastly prayer need not be a ritual ending in certain key phrases. Consider the relationship with an earthly father if you were scared as a child would you call out from your bedroom.
”My father who is in bed sovereign in authority of this house, I cray out to you in a moment of need. Oh father come into my room and calm my fears of the darkness.” I think not.
Remember Christ is relational and not dependent upon sharing a predetermined moment.
Moments of silence are a ritualized public sign of respect, but other than that they are neutral. You can use them for prayer if you are so-inclined, or just remembrance and reflection. Or to decide where to go for lunch.
It's a one-size-fits-all alternative to public prayer that accommodates religious rivals as well as nonbelievers.
It depends. If the moment of silence is aimed at thinking and communicating to God, then it is prayer.
In a way, thinking about Bakhtin's distinction between silence (characteristic to humans) and quietude (to non-human animals and nature), then if only humans can be silent, then it may be said that silence opens the way to prayer. However, silence as a sign can mean many things, not only prayer. It may mean respect, but also disrespect, irony, a protest, a ritual, In a way, prayer may include all these things, at least in my opinion, but then you will have to be more specific on what kinds of prayer you may think of.
الصلاة عبادة مفروضة من الله تعالى، ولكن لحظة الصمت وإن كانت عبادة تفكر فيما خلق الله تعالى ولكنها لا تصل إلى درجة الضلاة
Well, I always thought when people asked for a moment of silence, they are requesting a silent prayer. An inward prayer from the heart. I recently asked someone to do an opening prayer at a worship service and they asked me how long do you want me to pray? I told them no longer than a minute or less. God understands what you mean if you just say "Jesus". He knows the intent of the heart.
To contemplate, act or symbol of remembrance or defiance, either in a private moment or as a member of a group. In this context perhaps however as we grow older we seek moments of silence as respite from continual chatter and distraction, in short when viewed as a response it becomes a gesture or a statement. I think it has become an abbreviation of modern religious doctrine.
If someone is innprayer mood, and falls into silence, then that moment is equivalent to a prayer
Silence is neutral. Depends on the enviroment of silence to understand its meaning.
Silence thinking is the way to know GOD (allah),
( قال تعالى: (ويتفكرون في خلق السموات و الأرض ربنا ما خلقت هذا باطلا سبحانك فقنا عذاب النار
this verse means that those who are thinking in creation of Skye and earth, said: oh our god (ALLAH) u never made them to play, so keep us away from fire in the last day.
this silence thinking u can do every time day and night, But the worship in islam has special shape, for example Salah (prayer) must be done in special moving saying and limited times.
Exercising a 'moment of silence' does not necessitate as an act of prayer. It many cases public moments of silence, while allowing for a personal act of prayer, are usually requests to reflect upon the life or lives that have been lost, how they were lost, and what they mean to us as a person/s. How someone utilizes that moment of reflection depends on their personal belief, and more importantly, on their relationship to the life/ lives being reflected on, and the scenario behind the ceremony. Was it peaceful, was it tragic, an unnecessary loss, someone who lead an amazing life, a high profile event? and so forth. What we do in that 'minute' is as personal as our connection is to the event / person / persons being remembered.
Grant Roberts Many of the people here would think that a moment of silence is equivalent to a prayer. I am not a constitutional lawyer but I wonder if it runs afoul of the first amendment in the U.S. which prohibits the establishment of religion in public meetings.
Since personal 'prayer' can be a universal request, that is can be participated in by any faith, belief, or non-faith, are you establishing a religion per say. As long as religion itself is not preached or discussed, all that is being asked is to perform a moments reflection. What someone does with that 'moment' is constitutionally free, in such, while others may personally object to it, a person may even ignore the request for silence since it is an request and not a demand. If you a requesting a moment of silence and not demanding it, you are not enforcing or attempting to establish your will upon another person via any means. If you have also asked for a moment of silence and not a minute of prayer to 'X' deity or 'Y' belief, I can't see how you would be establishing a religion as such.
A problem you could run into by considering a 'request for a minutes silence' as an enforcement of religion is than to consider any public religious statement as unconstitutional, such as "God Bless America", commonly evoked by President's and Senators, or public thanking of God by artists and entertainers at award ceremonies. Would the swearing in of your leaders and people in power, and testimonies in court also be unconstitutional because of the use of a bible and its religious connotations?
Though I believe there have been several interpretations of the first amendment I think you'll find that it was originally interpreted as defense of belief, not defense from belief. That is the freedom for people to carry out their belief without encroachment of state. The separation of 'church and state' was to prevent a state enforced religion or state funded religion, thus allowing freedom of belief and religious practice. United States v Ballard 1944, "The first Amendment has a dual aspect. It not only forestalls compulsion by law of the acceptance of any creed or the practice of any form of worship but also safeguards the free exercise of the chosen form of religion." Dr Schaeffer highlighted the statement used in the writing of the Constitution, 'certain inalienable rights', rights that cannot be taken away, not even by government or state, of which freedom of belief, to believe in whatever you choose to believe is a right that cannot be removed from you by Government or state.
"All men’s miseries derive from not being able to sit in a quiet room alone"
Blaise Pascal
"It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart.
Mahatma Gandhi
"When you have nothing to say, say nothing."
Charles Caleb Colton
"The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind."
Albert Einstein
I schooled in misery, know many purifying rites, and I know where speech is proper and where silence.
Aeschylus
"In human intercourse the tragedy begins, not when there is misunderstanding about words, but when silence is not understood"
Henry David Thoreau
" f I could I would always work in silence and obscurity, and let my efforts be known by their results."
Emily Bronte
" I’ve begun to realize that you can listen to silence and learn from it. It has a quality and a dimension all its own."
Chaim Potok
"The more you understand silence, that’s where the balance comes."
Rick Rubin
"Inner silence is the mother of all talents."
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Through my choices and actions, I have learned the most effective way of speaking to God is without saying a word.”
Steve Maraboli,
A silent obedience or remembrance is off-course better than a prayer. but only silence instead prayer is often sin. I think it depends on the intention.
Azizuddin Mohammed A moment of silence is a sin? Hmm. I did not know. So I have committed many sins without knowing. Strange.
Hassan Izzeddin Sarsak
May I humbly request you to write some comments in sentences. Single word responses are not helpful or useful. You are most kind.
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