Doing
religious things, such as
praying, in
public for the
sole purpose of being
seen doing so. Often done in highly religious and
conservative areas, commonly in
groups, to
gain or
preserve standing in the
community.
Often done in groups as a way to check up on the others, make sure they still believe as the majority does, and as a way of keeping power and controlling.
Religion is, or at least should be, a personal thing, and piety in public is never truly about religion.
Quite common in the United States, especially in small towns, mainly by Christians, which is odd, because the Bible tells people that they should be in private when praying - See Matthew 6:5-6.