What is the point of saying grace before a meal?

[Koldo]

Definition of HOMOSEXUALITY

Did you read the very first definition in your own link ?

I picked this example, because I knew it had potential to inflame,

Oh boy.
Are you confessing a flamebait ?
I didn't expect it.

exposing dishonesty- if there proved to be any.

What dishonesty ? Entertain me.

 

[rosends]

Wait... so it's wrong to experience enjoyment without God's permission? How is it "stealing from God" to experience joy without God's consent?

Do I understand you correctly?

Everything is God's. To use it without asking permission -- to enjoy it without recognizing at that moment that it is his, is to take it (to appropriate it) without acknowledging or asking permission.

 

[Kelly of the Phoenix]

Everything is God's. To use it without asking permission -- to enjoy it without recognizing at that moment that it is his, is to take it (to appropriate it) without acknowledging or asking permission.

But we live on this planet and we have no other real options. I mean, I'm not knocking being thankful, but what was God going to do with it?

 

[Ponder This]

As I've often heard it said, there's no such thing as a free lunch, so no one, not even God, is actually "giving" us any food. The way food prices are these days, it would appear that those who supply us with food are being well compensated for their efforts, so even they don't need any more thanks than what they're getting.

As a kid, I remember we would say before each meal: "Bless us, O Lord, and these, Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen."

Considering how many people go hungry in this world, it seems that God's blessings and generosity only go so far. In the West, a lot of food is wasted, and some people eat far more than they actually appear to need.

So, is "grace" just an empty gesture and empty words? Does it actually mean anything to most people, or is it just something we're supposed to say before a meal?

The conscientious person understands that he could not have made the clothes on his back or the food that he eats by himself alone. He understands that he exists in relationship to everything else. He understands how to give thanks for the things which he receives. Maybe some people don't understand this. I'm not sure how to explain it to them other than to say that the alternative is taking things for granted.

Why thank God specifically? If you believe in God, then why wouldn't you? If you don't believe in God, then your problem isn't about grace at meal time.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Everything is God's. To use it without asking permission -- to enjoy it without recognizing at that moment that it is his, is to take it (to appropriate it) without acknowledging or asking permission.

But once food is taken with God’s permission - such as at harvest time - it then belongs to the person who God has given it to, and therefore not to God... no?

 

[rosends]

But we live on this planet and we have no other real options. I mean, I'm not knocking being thankful, but what was God going to do with it?

If I give my child dinner (because it isn't like I am going to let my child die of malnutrition) I still teach him to say please and thank you.

 

[rosends]

But once food is taken with God’s permission - such as at harvest time - it then belongs to the person who God has given it to, and therefore not to God... no?

But he has harvested it for one dimension of use. Eating is a different dimension. So different permission.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

But he has harvested it for one dimension of use. Eating is a different dimension. So different permission.

Farmers don’t harvest food with the intention that it be eaten? This is news to me. Why do you think farmers harvest food?

In any case, once something belongs to someone, it’s up to them to decide how it’s used. Don’t you agree?

 

[Jeremiah Ames]

So I don't.
That's not what I posted. I said I don't think it's important what words you use.
It's not like I am a theist.
Tom

I was agreeing with your statement.

 

[Stevicus]

The conscientious person understands that he could not have made the clothes on his back or the food that he eats by himself alone. He understands that he exists in relationship to everything else. He understands how to give thanks for the things which he receives. Maybe some people don't understand this. I'm not sure how to explain it to them other than to say that the alternative is taking things for granted.

Why thank God specifically? If you believe in God, then why wouldn't you? If you don't believe in God, then your problem isn't about grace at meal time.

As far as I know, agricultural science and the cultivation/raising of food, along with methods of processing and storage, were invented by humans. Even methods of hunting were mostly contrived by humans, with weapons made by humans. I suppose if one believes in God, then one could say God indirectly created the food, as well as anything else made by man. By that logic, one should have to say grace every time one starts one's car or turns on one's computer, since we wouldn't have those things without God either.

 

[rosends]

Farmers don’t harvest food with the intention that it be eaten? This is news to me. Why do you think farmers harvest food?

In any case, once something belongs to someone, it’s up to them to decide how it’s used. Don’t you agree?

Farmers harvest it with all sorts of intentions. Some is to sell. Some to feed to animals. Some is used for industry and turned into other products. Are these facts news to you?

 

[viole]

I say a prayer before meals to show God my appreciation for the food and all the other good things I have. A lot of people are not as lucky and I never want to take things for granted.
For me, it is very important to say "thank you".

Do you do it also when you are invited by a terrible cook and the food is horrible?

Ciao

- viole

 

[Vee]

Do you do it also when you are invited by a terrible cook and the food is horrible?

Ciao

- viole

Yes. Maybe the person wasn't very gifted but if their intention was good and they were thoughtful enough to think about me, I already have something to be grateful for.

 

[viole]

As I've often heard it said, there's no such thing as a free lunch, so no one, not even God, is actually "giving" us any food. The way food prices are these days, it would appear that those who supply us with food are being well compensated for their efforts, so even they don't need any more thanks than what they're getting.

As a kid, I remember we would say before each meal: "Bless us, O Lord, and these, Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen."

Considering how many people go hungry in this world, it seems that God's blessings and generosity only go so far. In the West, a lot of food is wasted, and some people eat far more than they actually appear to need.

So, is "grace" just an empty gesture and empty words? Does it actually mean anything to most people, or is it just something we're supposed to say before a meal?

Is there an equivalent to express some disappointment?

You know, something like "Thanks Lord for the food and wine, even thought I would have preferred some Champagne today. instead of this cheap stuff".

Ciao

- viole

 

[robocop (actually)]

I live in a place where many people still pray for food... some answers:

People are grateful for their food even if other people are starving... it's not like you can just mail the last pizza slice to Africa.
They still recognize the hand of God in what goes on despite problems people face in the world.

 

[columbus]

You know, something like "Thanks Lord for the food and wine, even thought I would have preferred some Champagne today. instead of this cheap stuff.

Well, that's one prayer I am confident that the Lord will answer appropriately
Tom

 

[Ponder This]

As far as I know, agricultural science and the cultivation/raising of food, along with methods of processing and storage, were invented by humans. Even methods of hunting were mostly contrived by humans, with weapons made by humans. I suppose if one believes in God, then one could say God indirectly created the food, as well as anything else made by man. By that logic, one should have to say grace every time one starts one's car or turns on one's computer, since we wouldn't have those things without God either.

What a great idea! There really is a lot to be thankful for. We could be thankful for every breath we take, because even the air we breathe is precious to us.