robison@eosp1.UUCP (Tobias D. Robison) (03/29/84)
References: I'm opening a new topic of discussion here in a genuine search for enlightenment. If I have not managed quite the polite, dispassionate tone I intended, please accept my apologies in advance. The suggested non-sectarian prayer was: >> "For what we are about to recieve, may we be truly grateful." -- >>Stephen C. Woods (VA Wadsworth Med Ctr./UCLA Dept. of Neurology) My question, to those of you who practice various religions: Do you find this prayer satisfying, or would you strongly prefer an appropriate prayer prescribed by your religion? I will give a Jewish point of view, treating this as a prayer to be said before eating food in general. The prayer fails, among other things: - To acknowledge, or to praise G-d as the source of food. - To be in a distinctive prayer form based upon the type of food (a tradititional Jew MUST be aware of the general type of food he is eating.) - To acknowledge that, in eating food, one is obeying G-d's commandments. - To quote any portions of scripture that demonstrate that commandments are being obeyed. - To relate the eating of food to other aspects of the human condition, and to other aspects of religious practice. - To contain any variable sections relating to the time of day, or the time of year, as if these were irrelevant to the eating of food. I wonder if this prayer seems quite foreign to me because it is not Jewish, or if it seems quite foreign to many people because virtually all aspect of religion has been removed from it. In contrast -- Judaism prescribes a diversity of short prayers to precede eating in various situations, and relatively long prayers that follow eating. The simplest, most generic Jewish prayer preceding eating might be translated: Blessed be the Lord, G-d of the Universe, at whose word everything has come into existence. Please comment. - Toby Robison allegra!eosp1!robison decvax!ittvax!eosp1!robison princeton!eosp1!robison
nlt@duke.UUCP (N. Tinkham) (04/04/84)
<*>
Toby Robison quotes a recently suggested non-sectarian prayer:
"For what we are about to receive, may we be truly grateful."
and asks: "Do you find this prayer satisfying, or would you strongly prefer
an appropriate prayer prescribed by your religion?"
In reply, no, I do not find this prayer "satisfying", mainly because
it does not appear to me to be a prayer at all. The prayer is not addressed
to a deity of any sort; it is, rather, addressed to the people who are
about to eat. True, a nice sentiment is expressed; further, I'll admit
that, given the expected diversity among an "average" group of dinner
guests, such a "prayer" is probably the strongest statement that can be
made without offending someone. But it seems odd to substitute a short
speech for a prayer.
So what would I suggest in its place? It's impossible, I think, to
pray without "dragging religion into it", and if we are seriously concerned
about not risking offending any atheists, then the prayer could simply
be omitted. Many Christians will simply offer brief, silent prayers
before eating in such situations. On the other hand, if we can assume
tolerance and understanding from our non-theistic friends [:-)], then
the prayer Toby mentioned,
"Blessed be the Lord, G-d of the Universe, at whose word everything
has come into existence"
seems quite appropriate.
N. Tinkham
duke!nltscw@cepu.UUCP (04/06/84)
I'm sorry that my somewhat :-) comment and suggested 'prayer' has been taken
seriously. It was \not/ ment to be taken seriously.
<scw>
--
Stephen C. Woods (VA Wadsworth Med Ctr./UCLA Dept. of Neurology)
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