Pagans: how would handle a situation like this?

Question

If you were invited to dinner at the home of a couple you barely knew (not well enough for you to know the religious beliefs of each other) and when it came time for the meal to be served your host said a Christian prayer asking God to bless the food, and all at the table.

How would you handle this situation? Would this bother you, would it keep you from eating? Would you say something or keep quiet? Considering your gods, your beliefs, and your ethics, what would you do?

Answer 1

I would bow my head and say my own prayer of thanks to my own deity.

We can all be grateful for the Earth's harvests and sustenance.

What's wrong with that?

If they ask YOU to say grace, well that is a different story.  I would just politely refuse. If they question you further, be honest...

Answer 2

Why should I expect people to change their regular religious practices, just because I am there?

I would just politely keep quiet during the prayer, and not participate. I would actually feel appreciative that my hosts care enough about me to ask their god to bless me.

If the host insisted on making me participate in some way, or insisted on discussing my personal religious beliefs, that would be an issue.

But as far as personal prayers go, even if they include me, I don't care. It's not my place to infringe upon other's beliefs.

Answer 3

Being a Wiccan, I would respect their home.  You can close your eyes, listen to what they say and when they're done, you can eat!  The Gods I believe in wouldn't get offended by paying respect to someone's home.  But when they're in MY home, I expect the same respect.

Answer 4

I have experienced this situation. As an agnostic I couldn't care less what rituals people employ to get them through life, as long as they don't expect me to share them. I welcome the opportunity to meet and talk to people of all beliefs, and remain non- judgemental in the process.

Answer 5

I bow my head in respect to the hosts and let them finish their prayer before I dig into the grub.  

Answer 6

I've had this come up numerous times, particularly when invited to the home of a colleague or acquiantance.

I don't make much of a fuss over it. I know that they have most likely automatically assumed that I am Christian as well. If it is their tradition to do so, I wouldn't disrespect them in their home by making a big deal out of it. I would probably not participate, however, as this would go against my beliefs.

In most cases, no real harm or judgment is implied in a simple saying of grace.

As a Pagan, I am so accustomed to being in such a situation, that I don't let it bother me. If saying grace at the dinner table extended to a mini-bible study, proselytizing session, or a game of "Convert That Pagan!"... Well... I'd be none too pleased, and would respectfully, but firmly let it be known.

Answer 7

  I simply remain silent while they pray to their god.  Most of the time I'm saying a silent prayer of thanks to my deities.  

Answer 8

I hate to be the cranky f**t on this, but I wouldn't go to dinner at the house of people I didn't know well enough. I am concerned about xenia in such situations...I'd find it out.

I actually have a taboo against eating food others have prayed over, so I'd only have a problem if it was one of those freaky "this food represents the body of christ" thing.

And, yes, I've watched freaky Christians declare a turkey the body of Christ.

They weren't normal Christians.

Answer 9

im a non religious pagan but although id feel uncomfortable i wouldn't see any reason to say antyhing, it is their home, im the guest

as has been said

if they asked me to say it, THEN id say something, if they wanted to discuss it, THEN id say soemthing, if they asked why i didnt say amen or soemthing THEN id say soemthing, but i woudlnt bother mentioning it if it was just a passing thing and nothing came of it

;-)

Answer 10

I wouldn't do anything.  It's their home, their ways, their beliefs.  As a guest it would be rude of me to demand that they change things around for me or start a religious debate.  I might respectfully bow my head and not say anything, same as I do in other situations like this.

Answer 11

It wouldn't bother me as long as they didn't ask me to do the honors or if they got offended when I didn't say Amen. It is a nice thing to do, to ask for food to be blessed. In these kind of situations, I tend to be able to feel like it's all coming from a good place and I am thankful for my food when I eat it, so I can easily shift the whole Jesus God thing to God and Goddess in my mind. Besides that, it is their home and it is their ritual, I think they have a right to it.  Also, the Native Americans believe in blessing their food as well....just in a different way.

It certainly wouldn't keep me from eating, I love food!  :)

*edit*

After reading the other answers, I must say it's nice to be in such good company. Pagans in general are such tolerant people, the world could learn much from them.  :)

Answer 12

I would sit quietly though the prayer and then continue with the meal unbothered.  I am a guest in someone else's house.  It would be absolutely inappropriate for me to object to his behavior in his own home.  On top of which, I would take it as intended - a gesture of good will.  I see no reason at all why I should be bothered or I should object.

Answer 13

I would let them pray, you do not have to speak or anything..just close your eyes.

no need to say "amen" or anything like that...

respect them, in their home--just like they would if they were in yours and you did not pray..

Answer 14

Bow my head while they speak. It's their home. No problem. If they wish to pray before they eat, I have no reason to stop them or be uncomfortable.

I would find it rude if they protested it in my home, but then again, I would refrain from praying if I was unsure of their religion. If they were at my home, and they asked me to pray, I would tell them I was not a Christian, but they are free to pray for themselves.

They aren't attacking me, so why should it bother me?

Answer 15

I would do what I always do. Bow my head in respect for their practices, say nothing and then enjoy my meal.

Answer 16

answer: I bow my head at appropriate points and mentally thank my deities for the food and the good company.  I also keep my Thor's Hammer inside my shirt when visiting Christian friends - they don't have the same courtesy but that's their deal, not mine.

Answer 17

I would respect their customs and traditions.  I am a guest in their home, and although their prayer would have little meaning for me, I in my own head would take the time to say my own little prayer to the Aesir and Vanir.

Answer 18

I've been in that situation before and I either: A) just stay quiet, don't bow my head or close my eyes or B) close my eyes, bow my head and say my own blessing to myself.   It is their house that they have invited me into and I shouldn't disrespect them by interrupting their blessing or causing a scene.

Answer 19

It wouldn't bother me.  I would probably inwardly roll my eyes and think "oh ok, there a couple of god bothering christians", but I wouldn't say anything.  I would be polite.  In a way it's actually cute (harmless).

Answer 20

Respect their beliefs if they respect yours but it would be a good idea to tell them your beliefs......

Answer 21

I would honor frith and not say anything. It's their food, their God can bless it. It's not like it's going to catch my innards on fire because I'm not a Christian.

I will even bow my head respectfully, though I wouldn't repeat "Amen" or anything. They are showing my hospitality in their home, I would return the respect.

Answer 22

respect what they do and go along but may not talk while they pray. I don't know how to pray since it's like talking to a wall.

Answer 23

They clearly mean well, so there's no sense taking any

offense... when a Christian says something like "god

bless you" it's their way of being nice... so it's not right

to go off on them for that. Try to understand what they

mean and respond accordingly.

Then, if you tell them you're Pagan and they say you

suck, flip the table over and burn their house down.

Answer 24

Do what I always do, bow my head and say my own prayer in my head. It never hurts to be polite. There is no reason to start THAT conversation over dinner. Those can end up in a big fight.

Answer 25

I'm a Buddhist, and I don't know if that's close enough for you, but I'd like to offer my response anyway.

It's their house, so if they want to pray, then there's no problem with that, even if it's sort of faux pas to assume that their guests are Christian.  The civil way of dealing with that is by simply not participating. Let them say their prayer while you sit quietly.

Answer 26

I would remain respectfully silent.  Heathens were known for emphasis on participation as opposed to belief, therefore it would bring more negative honor for me to say something than just the simple insult would imply.  Hospitality is important to heathenry and a good guest knows his obligations.

Answer 27

I would maintain a respectful silence until they'd finished, then eat.