I've been invited to have Thanksgiving dinner at my girlfriend's parent's house. They are non-denominational Christians and they want me to say grace.
They know I am atheist and they said I don't need to thank God or Jesus, but I need to thank someone or something for the food, family, health etc.
Who do I thank???
I was thinking of thanking a poultry farm for producing an unnaturally shaped turkey with overly large pectoral muscles.
Or maybe some illegal immigrants that are still working in the farms here in southern California for keeping the cost of produce low.
Or maybe the airline industry for keeping prices too high for me to fly home to my family on the other coast.
Fellow atheists or theists, what would you say?
2007-11-16 06:17:47 · 31 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
LOL! Why do they want you to thank someone? That's ridiculous. Well, if you must, then I think your ideas are great. :o)
2007-11-16 06:49:33 · answer #1 · answered by Linz VT•AM 4 · 7⤊ 1⤋
It's a common problem for all non believers (ie: Non Christians), an ex girlfriend's parents who were Christian invited me over for Christmas years ago and asked me to say Grace. This is an changed version to suit you Americans and your thanksgiving.
"Let us give thanks to the Earth for poviding us with this magnifcient bounty and to Mrs (insert name) for the fine preperation of this harvest of natures wonderments."
You can add an optional Amen as the word literally means "verily" or "truly" (there's two ways it can be translated according to sources I've read over the years).
Finally a word to the wise, I've been a non believer a very long time (35+ years) and it took me a long time to realise that there are some social settings where one just has to bite the bullet and actually give praise to the non existant God in the interests of harmony and being a good guest.
2007-11-16 06:57:26 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Do you want an appropriate grace you can live with, or do you want to be a smartass? If the former, perhaps the below will be useful; if the latter, way to embarass your girlfriend in front of her family
Let us be thankful for this lovely feast, and remember those who are hungry.
Let us be thankful for health, and remember those who are sick.
Let us be thankful for friends, and remember those who are alone.
Let us be thankful for family, and remember those who are not with us.
Let us be thankful for freedom, and remember those who are yearning to be free.
May these remembrances stir us to service,
So that these gifts may be used to help those in need.
2007-11-18 15:27:30 · answer #3 · answered by Zarah_210 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How about thanking the family that invited you to their dinner and don't mind that you are an Atheist while they are Christians. I think that shows a lot of tolerance and maturity on their part. Thank them for not being ignorant.
2007-11-16 06:22:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well, I'm a Christian, myself, but I think it's a little obnoxious of these people to invite you, yet insist you "thank" someone or something .... I'd assume since you accepted the invitation that you'd thank them for their hospitality, anyway, so ... I'm not really sure what their point is.
I'd say, since you're uncomfortable with it, maybe it's best for you to simply withdraw your acceptance if the alternative is for you to uncomfortably or insincerely "joke" thank.
I agree with those who think their request is coercive. If you DO decide to go, you could just say that you're grateful for your health and for each new day, and that you're glad for their invitation.
But just say what comes naturally to you.
2007-11-18 10:13:33 · answer #5 · answered by llulu_lemonn 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
"Thank you for all being here today. Each and every one of you hold a special place in my life and I'm thankful that we could all get together on this beautiful day. All too often in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives we forget to take a moment and remember the things that are truly important. This is why we are here today. Often we take for granted the people that impact our lives that we don't ever get to meet...the farmers who work hard in the fields to give us these green beans, who feed the turkey we are about to enjoy, who grow the grapes for this wine...let's not forget about our unseen friends. "
Well, there's a start anyway...hope it helps.
2007-11-16 06:46:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 9⤊ 0⤋
Can you thank the family for allowing you to partake in their holiday with them? In with that, give thanks to the people who worked to provide the food you are about to be eating (I wouldn't go so far as to thank "illegal immigrants" in particular, as you said), and perhaps something along the lines of thanking the peacekeepers who are out there, for trying to keep peace in our world. Just some thoughts.
2007-11-16 06:22:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Thank the turkey for having its head cut off and its guts ripped out.
Maybe a little story about the turkey's family and it's life before it was executed would be good here too.
2007-11-16 06:25:43 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Oh Great Spirit,
Whose voice I hear in the winds,
And whose breath gives life to all the world, hear me!
I am small and weak,
I need your strength and wisdom.
Let me walk in beauty, and make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset.
Make my hands respect the things you have made and my ears sharp to hear your voice.
Make me wise so that I may understand the things you have taught my people.
Let me learn the lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock.
I seek strength, not to be greater than my brother,
but to fight my greatest enemy - myself.
Make me always ready to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes.
So when life fades, as the fading sunset
my spirit may come to you without shame.
--Chief Yellow Lark, Lakota Tribe
2007-11-16 06:23:53 · answer #9 · answered by grandfather raven 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
As corny as this sounds, the Philmont Grace from boyscouts works well:
For food, for rainment, for life, for opportunity, for friendships and fellowships, we thank thee lord.
Just take off the 'lord.' I guess. Sorry, I don't really know what to tell you. It sounds a little less sarcastic that way.
Though I really like your ideas of who to thank.
2007-11-16 06:23:39 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can thank everyone responsible for this lovely meal, and for everyone at the table for sharing it with you.
Or something like that.
I would beg off, myself.
That doesn't seem right of them to insist someone who doesn't pray to make up a prayer.
Kinda forcey.
2007-11-16 14:23:59 · answer #11 · answered by tehabwa 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋