Food ritual (tradition, grace, atheist, pray, blessing)

[Guitar's Cry]

Ah, my first thread! Wish me luck...

It being the day after Thanksgiving, I was wondering what different people of different religious backgrounds do to celebrate their food.

Do you offer blessings? Say grace? Thank the creatures for the gifts of their corporeal being? Reflect on the sacrifice given?

What is the meaning behind what you do?

[Doktormartini]

Well I am an atheist and a vegetarian (going vegan). So I guess you could say a food tradition for me is to not eat meat cause I don't like supporting cruelty.

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by Guitar's Cry

Ah, my first thread! Wish me luck...

It being the day after Thanksgiving, I was wondering what different people of different religious backgrounds do to celebrate their food.

Do you offer blessings? Say grace? Thank the creatures for the gifts of their corporeal being? Reflect on the sacrifice given?

What is the meaning behind what you do?

I don't do more than acknowledge the fact that their sacrifice was made in order for me to live. I feel that if I reflect too much on it, I would feel so guilty that it had to die so I could live that I would give up eating altogether. And as we all know, eating is good for us.

[dawny0826]

I thank God for providing and pray for His guidance and strength, when I pray for blessings over my meal.

[klubbhead024]

I thank myself and my parents for everything I have and know.

[Hacker]

I say a prayer to myself, my husband don't pray ...but now that I think about it, I should have my daughter do it too. Or do you think I should let her grow older and decide for herself?

[Zephyr]

I tossed a shred of turkey and some ham to the wights, and a little mead for the gods.

[Guitar's Cry]

Originally Posted by tlcmel

I say a prayer to myself, my husband don't pray ...but now that I think about it, I should have my daughter do it too. Or do you think I should let her grow older and decide for herself?

I think allowing her to develop her own ideals is probably for the best, but I also think guidance is necessary. Maybe ask her to come up with something in her own words the next meal - see how she responds.

I personally reflect on the sacrifice that was made for my nutrition. In order for me to eat, something had to die, whether it was plant or animal (unless I live off nuts and fruit, but it was still taking something from another being). By reflecting on this, I remain grateful for what was given, and I tend not to overeat by doing so.

Really, I am giving a little prayer of thankfulness for what was taken.

[Hacker]

Originally Posted by Guitar's Cry

I think allowing her to develop her own ideals is probably for the best, but I also think guidance is necessary. Maybe ask her to come up with something in her own words the next meal - see how she responds.

I personally reflect on the sacrifice that was made for my nutrition. In order for me to eat, something had to die, whether it was plant or animal (unless I live off nuts and fruit, but it was still taking something from another being). By reflecting on this, I remain grateful for what was given, and I tend not to overeat by doing so.

Really, I am giving a little prayer of thankfulness for what was taken.

Actually I am going to try the next meal.
I remember saying as a kid "God is great, God is good, let us thank him for our food."