Thanksgiving-2007.com - ONLY Christians: Should prayers be said before Thanksgiving dinner?

ONLY Christians: Should prayers be said before Thanksgiving dinner?

... and if so, where should Muslims, Jews and atheists go while they are being said?

Public Comments

Yes they should.
Well if you are with a Christinan family that gives thanks before the meal then it should be said and if the people of other religions are comfortable they can just stay there or if not then they can leave the room and then come back.
Prayers should be said before every dinner and if the Muslims, Jews and Atheists would like they can sit in, and if not, they could excuse themselves and return to enjoy dinner after the prayers are done, it sounds like a diverse table and I'd love to join some day :)
Thanksgiving may be the only truly Protestant Christian holliday, at least in origin. Sure, saying a prayer is very appropriate. By the way, I'm an agnostic, but we often say prayer in my family.
you might as well stay babe...after all, we are praying over the turkey...you will miss your prayer. ((( Do you come along with Stove Top and cranberry sauce Mr Gobble Gobble ? LOL )))
People should be thankful in any way that suits them. One way has not been shown to be superior to any other.
All guests should sit quietly at the table while prayers are being said. To be courteous to non-Christian guests, the prayers should be kept short. Limit it to saying grace, only; don't get into prayers which aren't related to giving thanks for the food. After all, everyone wants to eat! Frankly, I'd doubt that Jewish or Muslim guests would have any objection to joining in prayers which are thanking God for the meal.
Prayer should be said before every meal- espically one which gives thanks to everything. However, other religions or atheists can have their own special prayer during this time or stay slient. They don't really have to get up and leave. Unless they want to.
If the host family wants to give thanks according to their faith - perhaps people of other faiths could respect that quietly. We will be in that situation today and our prayers will be brief... but we will also give everyone a chance to express their thanks.
I think each situation is unique. If we have Muslims or Jewish friends with us, then they of course are invited to do their prayers as well. I find the experience interesting and am always glad to participate. Atheists should simply be respectful of others who are praying, it's not necessary for them to even bow their head. If I am eating with an Atheist family and they don't pray, then I say my prayers silently before I eat.
im an atheist, and your question reminds me of the whole blessing the meal before eating. my thought is....why doesn't anyone ever say a prayer of thanks TO the poor turkey. for HE is the one who gave the ultimate sacrifice, just so some dysfunctional family can share a meal together. i never understood it. seems people want to thank god for that micky d's quarter pounder, when it was made by some kid, making minimum wage who probably hates his job and spits in the food whenever nobodies watching........give me a break :o
hey;; my family says a prayer every year. why not? god has given us every amazing thing we have! and if the people of different religion dont agree with it, they can leave the room quickly;; and come back! :] happy thanksgiving :] have a great one!
Wouldn't it make sense? And all the others, if they are intelligent and accept other faiths, they should show some respect.
Firstly, a family event such as Thanksgiving dinner which included Muslims, Jews, and atheists would be quite an occasion. That said, Thanksgiving is a Christian holiday commemorating the pilgrims' thankfulness to God for His providence when they all nearly died in their new surroundings.. Today's yearly celebration of Thanksgiving has happened since the 1700's. Yes, Thankfulness to God should always be the foundation for this celebration, and just as we Christians are expected to be polite and respect the holidays of others, this occasion is an opportunity for Muslims, Jews and atheists to respect this one. They should be afforded the opportunity to respectfully participate, sit reverently, or if desired, be in another room, though I don't think the latter is the way to go.
You seem to make this look like a mandatory thing. It is not a law. Nor has it ever been. Christians say grace before meals because they want to put God first. They want to acknowledge that it is God who provides. If Muslims or any other faith that have been invited to the dinner and accept, they can either stay and honor their Host or leave the room. Its a free choice.
Yes you should give thanks for everything God has done for you.
As Christians we are supposed to pray before every meal although that doesn't alway's happen. I really don't know how to tell you what other religions should do but Jew's and Christians believe in the same God most Jew's just don't believe Jesus was the son of God and therefore don't use his name in prayer. I know Muslims do also believe in prayer I just don't understand all their rules for prayer. They usually have certain times of day that they pray and they do it kneeling on a rug and they have to face a certain direction. I think If you are having a dinner of mixed company you may want to have a discussion with everyone before time so that everyone's belief needs could be met. I want to add one more thought. Thanksgiving is NOT a Christian holiday it is an American holiday celebrating the Pilgrams and Native Americans working together to have a bountiful harvest. Afterwhich the Pilgrams turned around and killed the Native Americans and stole their land this holiday was only celebrated in the New England states at first then during the Civil War period Prez. Abe Lincoln decided to make it a we needed a National Day of Thanksgiving and declaired it a National Holiday.
Brethren, For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,