Atheists - Is there a way we can say grace at the table?

Question

Or should we pat each other on the back?

Answer 1

Do what ever you wish.

I give thanks for the food God has provided, the family we love and this beautiful world He has made for us.

Thanks be to God

Answer 2

I think this is about respect for others more than it is about religion. There are things that we do to respect one another that don't necessarily have to do with religion. Just use a little common sense. If you are with a family that practicies religion that you may or may not agree with at the very least you can respect them and allow them to perform the ceremoies. Part of these cerimonies are about sharing and connecting with each other and with a higher being. If you dont belive in a higher being at least share the connection you have with the poeple you are surrounded by by participating but focusing on yourself and the others around you. Remember you wouldn't be there if you didnt care so show respect and gratitutude for the time that you do get to spend with them.

Answer 3

You can still be thankful for the good in your life without having to thank anyone. If you feel that anything with 'thank' in it implies you're addressing someone, maybe a better word would be recognizing the good in your life. Grace could just be given in the form of a toast, sharing you thoughts with the people around, rather than a prayer.

Answer 4

I'm a Humanist and Unitarian Universalist, so you might want to tweak this a tad, but I wrote this as a kind of "secular grace."

Let us pause before sharing this meal to recognize how special a moment this is. Let us cherish this time of togetherness so that we will be able to look back, years from now, and draw strength and joy from the memory.

The food before us is a sacred gift, given to us by the Earth, our home and Mother. May we be grateful to receive it, grateful for the water and sunshine that made it grow, and show our gratitude by treating Mother Earth and all Her children with love and respect. May we also be mindful of all those who toiled to bring it to our table: the farmers, the laborers, the truck drivers, the grocers, and, most of all, the cook!

May this food nourish our bodies and help us to be happy, healthy, good, and useful persons. And may we be mindful always of those less fortunate than ourselves who do not have enough to eat, or a table at which to sup, or friends and family with whom to share this special moment.

Answer 5

Pat each other on the back and tell each other how thankful you are to have them at your table.

Answer 6

How about by thanking the farmers (and fishermen, if you eat fish/seafood) of this world. After all, they ARE the ones who grew and/or harvested that food.

Don't forget those who cooked that meal. And if you're a guest, to thank your host(s) for their hospitality.

BTW, if you are a guest in an Asian home, be certain to slurp, the louder the better. It's considered rude in the west, but in Asian cultures, the louder you slurp, the more you compliment the cook.

Answer 7

ITs not so much saying grace as saying thank you to the farmers. I suppose you could say it something like this:

To all the farmers, butchers, packers, and other employees who made this meal possible thank you.

Other than this I can see very little room for an atheist to say grace.

Answer 8

I think we need to be thankful, even if we don't give a god credit.

One of the things to think about is that we don't deserve the meal anymore than the people who are starving in the world deserve to starve.

So, yes, thank the farmers, the fruit pickers, the truck drivers, the cook, but remember to be grateful that you get to eat a meal.

You don't have to believe in a god to be humble.

Answer 9

Grace gets said at my table all the time.

Grace, pass the potatoes. Grace, this roast is fantastic. Would you like some more wine, Grace?

Answer 10

Good Food, Good Meat, Good Gosh Let's Eat

Answer 11

You can express your gratitude and appreciation for each other and for this opportunity to share food and company. Each person can say what they're grateful for. And it's not even Thanksgiving Day!