DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am not a religious person, but I treat other people's beliefs respectfully. When others I am with are praying, for example, I lower my head and hold my hands together.
But there is one situation I struggle with: when people pray for financial gain. To say that I find this repulsive is an understatement.
Should I just keep my mouth shut and play along, or is there a polite way to opt out?
GENTLE READER: There are people who pray for all kinds of reasons you may not find worthy of God's attention -- to win games, to smite their rivals, not to be caught when they did wrong.
But Miss Manners reminds you that these prayers are not addressed to you, however conspicuously they are uttered in your presence. By politely remaining silent while prayers are uttered, you are not endorsing the content.