What do you guys do at a gathering when they say grace? (prayer, bible)

[catman]

I don't bow my head. The way I see it, if a Christian castigates me for not doing so, what was he doing looking at me during the prayer?

[Huckleberry3911948]

i would respect the traditions of my host, and that does in fact include ramadan where i have been a guest many times. it goes w/o saying i would respect my parents esp in their home. did i mention i respect the hosts and/or my parents in their own home.

[Gplex]

Originally Posted by DaniMae1

I'm asking this since the holidays are coming up. I don't know where I'll be yet but they all pretty much say grace before the meal. The funny thing is that NONE of my family is actually religious or goes to church but they all claim to be Christians for the most part. None of them know of my newfound beliefs anyhow. (although my mother has an idea of it...she kept trying to get me to read The Shack...we almost got in an argument over it!) So do you just bow your head and pretend or sit there in defiance and not bow your head. And god forbid (HA!) they ask me to say it! I'm torn between being true to myself or not rocking the boat!

I try to look at it from different angles. If a Christian were at a gathering with a Muslim host they wouldn't praying to Allah before eating. It is the same principle...right?

I just eat.

[MaggieZ]

In the past, I'd just sit quietly and wait for it to be over. Luckily I have not had to sit through grace often..even some of the biggest believers/bible beaters in my ex's family never say grace, ever... go figure!!

[Mercury Cougar]

Originally Posted by DaniMae1

I'm asking this since the holidays are coming up. I don't know where I'll be yet but they all pretty much say grace before the meal. The funny thing is that NONE of my family is actually religious or goes to church but they all claim to be Christians for the most part. None of them know of my newfound beliefs anyhow. (although my mother has an idea of it...she kept trying to get me to read The Shack...we almost got in an argument over it!) So do you just bow your head and pretend or sit there in defiance and not bow your head. And god forbid (HA!) they ask me to say it! I'm torn between being true to myself or not rocking the boat!

I try to look at it from different angles. If a Christian were at a gathering with a Muslim host they wouldn't praying to Allah before eating. It is the same principle...right?

If I am with believers and they wish to say grace, it's no skin off my back. I will respect their tradition and remain politely quiet while they do it. However, if I were asked to perform the ritual, then I would refuse by simply saying "I don't believe in prayer, so I cannot do it for you."

I don't think it helps atheists if they were to make a stink about prayer when it is a private gathering of friends. It's just not conducive to a good party!

[DrummerBoy]

I'm an agnostic and so personally I don't say grace before eating. But it doesn't bother me in the least if I am the guest of someone who does say grace; I even bow my head and will say "amen" afterwards. After all, it is only a way of giving thanks and they mean well. I in no way feel threatened by it, or even hypocritical.
Also, I don't think this is the same scenario as a Christian dining with Muslims, because in that case you have two conflicting sets of beliefs colliding; two religions that have even fought and killed against each other. But us agnostics are not so zealously committed to any such beliefs: we are open-minded and only claim that no one belief can ever be proved.
Peace.

[Fontucky]

Originally Posted by scarmig

I just wait quietly, but I don't bow or fold my hands or anything. Respectful, but not participant.

/\ This /\

[Fontucky]

Originally Posted by Huckleberry3911948

i would respect the traditions of my host, and that does in fact include ramadan where i have been a guest many times. it goes w/o saying i would respect my parents esp in their home. did i mention i respect the hosts and/or my parents in their own home.

Respect is a two way street. The religious are expected to show it as well, no matter whose roof is hanging over everyone's head.

[TKramar]

I don't know, I've never been asked to say a blessing before a meal. Even when I had a girlfriend who ALWAYS did it. I'm not anti-God or anything, it's just not something I do. It's time to eat, let's get it over with.

[TKramar]

Originally Posted by catman

I don't bow my head. The way I see it, if a Christian castigates me for not doing so, what was he doing looking at me during the prayer?

SHE thought you were cute...maybe she thought that you were the answer to her prayers?