Do you say Grace?

[starsky]

Do you say grace before meals?

[stevejobs]

No. But I say "I'm starving woman, where's my food!"

[jupiterdraft]

We did when we were kids, and I suspect my kids will as well when they are young. I will consider it my responsibility as a parent to at least introduce them to Christianity (and possibly other religions as they mature), however, it will be on them to decide how they will live as adults...

[Wyatt9k]

I try to, ive been brought up as a christian but I forget to say prayers alot. I think teaching your kids about God, Jesus and prayer is the number one thing in life, because without God, nothing is possible. IMHO YMMV...

[Bone16]

Every night before dinner, and sometimes during, if one of the twenty month old twins wants to hold hands and do it again That in and of itself is worth the laughter and smiles it causes, but I am not going to deny my children the opportunity to know the Lord either.

[Dweezil]

**FAIL** Needs an "Imitation Crab-Meat" option

[Maser]

My family consists of myself, my wife, and our 2 sons. That's only 4 people. Hardly enough to waste time saying Grace. At much larger dinners with friends and family, then yeah Grace is said.

[jdj]

what's the point in talking to an imaginary friend before a meal?

[nice shot]

Do you say grace before meals?

Although I dont say "grace" before a meal, I am constantly praying all day long. . . .so I assume God is cool with that just the same.

[DoctorSolo]

The godless heathens are WINNING!!!

[Bargsbeer]

I try to, But I do forget a lot.

[Ben B.]

I call my daughter Grace to dinner and generally have to make a few reminders, so I say Grace before dinner, all thru dinner and after.

And the FSM is watching. Always.

[silencertalk]

I never pray for a few reasons:

One is that it has been proven to not work (people who pray are not statistically more healthy, well off, and don't have better outcomes from medical problems).

Two - I don't think it is right to petition the Lord. Asking for things is not something I am comfortable with.

I do sometimes thank God. I ran a race today and thanked God that I was able to do that. I think that is better than prayer because you are acknowledging something good rather than petitioning an outcome. Grace is more of a thanks than prayer, so it follows the jist of what I believe in, but is a bit too overt for me as I can be thankful without speaking.

[zulusierra]

One is that it has been proven to not work (people who pray are not statistically more healthy, well off, and don't have better outcomes from medical problems).

I have actually read that doctors say that people with faith (and a good attitude) tend to do better with health problems.

I don't know if that included prayer specifically or not.

[silencertalk]

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/31/health/31pray.html

People can counter this by saying "God knew that he was being studied and so purposely ensured that for this he would make the prayer not work, to test our faith."

[jeephipwr]

I recently read a book called The Survivors Club and the author definately attributed faith as a significant factor in surviving incidents and illnesses. I know this thread is about prayer but that is also part of faith.

[Ben B.]

I am highly skeptical of the notion that a human-like intelligence of infinite power is both attending to us and making sure we have no evidence of this, while listening to our thought-requests for a better job, a sick kid to heal, for us not to get in trouble or killed in certain circumstances, etc. And that this power split of a portion of its sentience to incorporate within a Jewish baby, who was then executed as a minor political criminal in order to renew the power's contract with humans and soften its previously hard-core style, and also to create a condition in which humans burn forever in eternal torture if they fail to believe that Jewish guy was executed for them and was actually God incarnate.

[starlingstalker]

Well,I say Grace even if it's a only for a few words. It's the acknowledgment that counts. And I forget sometimes but not deliberately. Counting Your Blessings means a lot to me. And You never miss them until they are gone. Look around! So much for Free!
So having a meal even if a freebie costs somewhere. So, saying Thank You, means I'm grateful to God above. Others elsewhere might not be as lucky. But I am.
Pepul are like a herd of hogs under a big oak tree. None one EVER looks up to see where those acorns are coming from. And how many more trees would grow if a few acorns were sprouted for more of an abundance. But no. Hell NO! The moment that acorn hits the ground before it stops rolling, it's gobbled up! 100 percent of the time ASAP! And most pepul are like hogs. They REALLY don't care. And of course- they NEVER look up. Ever......
starlingstalker

[DoctorSolo]

^^^You spelled people wrong. JFWY, don't be mad bro.

I am highly skeptical of the notion that a human-like intelligence of infinite power is both attending to us and making sure we have no evidence of this, while listening to our thought-requests for a better job, a sick kid to heal, for us not to get in trouble or killed in certain circumstances, etc. And that this power split of a portion of its sentience to incorporate within a Jewish baby, who was then executed as a minor political criminal in order to renew the power's contract with humans and soften its previously hard-core style, and also to create a condition in which humans burn forever in eternal torture if they fail to believe that Jewish guy was executed for them and was actually God incarnate.

Well said IMO. The traditional notion of God is a symptom of man's arrogance. Still, I try to keep an open mind. There must be something to all this, right?

[zulusierra]

and also to create a condition in which humans burn forever in eternal torture if they fail to believe that Jewish guy was executed for them and was actually God incarnate.

Can you give me chapter and verse on that one so I can look it up?

[Ben B.]

and also to create a condition in which humans burn forever in eternal torture if they fail to believe that Jewish guy was executed for them and was actually God incarnate.

Can you give me chapter and verse on that one so I can look it up?

To what end? And what would you accept as authoritative, the New King James Bible?

Perhaps we could skip the dance and you just tell me How It Really Is?

[zulusierra]

and also to create a condition in which humans burn forever in eternal torture if they fail to believe that Jewish guy was executed for them and was actually God incarnate.

Can you give me chapter and verse on that one so I can look it up?

To what end? And what would you accept as authoritative, the New King James Bible?

Perhaps we could skip the dance and you just tell me How It Really Is?

I don't claim to know the mysteries of the universe. You'll have to figure out "How It Really Is" solo. As a starting point in your journey I would recommend a course of study in physics, biology, and philosophy.

I just don't remember reading that particular passage and was hoping to be enlightened. I have, however, heard bible-thumpers, televangelists, and the folks standing in front of my local Wal-Mart with signs telling everyone they're going to hell say those kind of things.

[Ben B.]

I don't claim to know the mysteries of the universe. You'll have to figure out "How It Really Is" solo. As a starting point in your journey I would recommend a course of study in physics, biology, and philosophy.

I have enough book-lernin & fancy degrees, tho I wouldn't mind going to law school and learning how courts and the system really work. Regardless, physics, bio & philo are going to have precious little to do with the "chapter & verse" type of info you asked for, unless you want to train your mind to be skeptical about fanciful claims.

I just don't remember reading that particular passage and was hoping to be enlightened.

No doubt your motive was enlightenment. In that case, you could chew over Acts 16:31, Romans 5:12, 6:23,10:9, 2nd Thessalonians 1:8, Revelations 20:15, 21:8, John 6:40, 11:25, 14:6, Galatians 3:26, Mark 1:15. I'm sure there are oodles more of chapter & verse upon which the preaching is built. I ain't no Bible scholar.

[DoctorSolo]

I don't claim to know the mysteries of the universe. You'll have to figure out "How It Really Is" solo. As a starting point in your journey I would recommend a course of study in physics, biology, and philosophy.

Don't confuse what I said with what Ben said. I'm a 2nd year electrical engineering student(I have studied my fair share of bio and chemistry). My studies of math and science(and yes some philosophy and psychology when I didn't care about inventing anything or making money) are exactly what lead me to the questions I ask and the convictions I have. I don't claim to know everything, but I damn sure have some skepticism when someone says "the answers are right here".

And I like to poke fun at pepul.

ETA: I misread your post. I'll bow out. You pepul enjoy yer master debate.

[Ben B.]

ETA: I misread your post. I'll bow out. You pepul enjoy yer master debate.

The corecct plural is pepuls.