Why do the religious pray before a meal, knowing that they just bought all the food that's on the table???

I never understood this practice. Did the meal fall out of the sky onto your table??

Really... Why don't they pray when they buy it?

I pray in thanks for the food provided, the hands that prepared it and the blessing of the meal.
I pray in thanks that my family (and/or friends) are gathered together in fellowship. These times are blessed and are far to few.
I give thanks for life, health and love.

We used to pray that my mom followed the recipe

In some ways, it is to be thankful for what people are provided and for the ability to earn them. And yes to some people it did, in a sense, fall out of the sky. Something (God, science, chance...) created that ear of corn or that grain of wheat. Human ingenuity changed it into a different form which we are eating. So at its core, some people do believe that it did "fall out of the sky" so to speak.

But for some its more than that. There is no need for every act that we take to be mundane. Even if you don't believe in "a supernatural god" it can give a person the opportunity to pause and recognize that each act, including eating, is something special. That we can treat it with care and respect. That we can treat ourselves with care and respect.

By the way, in some traditions, people have a short prayer before the meal, but a longer one after each meal.

I don't do it personally, but it seems to be more about the fact that G-d can make such wonderful food then who bought it. I mean look at a red pepper. Its crisp yet soft. Crackles in your mouth and fills it with delicious juice. In fact a salad is a beautiful thing.

Btw, some people say prayers of thanks for all kind of mundane, normal, daily activities. Waking up, seeing a mounting, washing hands seeing something new, or wonderous, seeing lightening, hearing thunder, eating new foods.

Its just about how someone wants to live their life. For some it helps pull back from the hustle and the hectic pace, forcing a small bit of calm.

Others may find another way to do that, that does not involve prayer. For others, they just don't feel the need or responsiblity to do such.

isnt it good to be thankful for what we have?

The very, very wealthy sometimes have the attitude toward their money, as you describe. This money didn't fall out of the sky; it's MINE; I earned it all by myself.

Others see such wealth as having been "earned" on the shoulders of many others. Such people would likely believe that the very wealthy ought to be properly thankful for their good fortune, including (1) those who came before who made it possible, (2) the bit of luck usually involved, (3) the health and situation to accomplish it, (4) those who relinquished their money so that one could accumulate, etc. Until those earning money, or eating, are 100% responsible for their money/food, maybe a little acknowledgment isn't such a bad thing. I don't know about thanking God for it, but thankfulness isn't bad, or inappropriate, IMO.

I think it goes back to the days in the old testament, when people were required to sacrifice part of the harvast to god by burning it.... or an animal by killing it and then not eating the meat. It became impratical to burn food when people are starving....mostly due to increases in the population.... so there was a cultural shift.... instead burning food at the alter.... people started praying to give thanks.

That's a common belief, but I don't think that's how sacrifice and leaving part of the harvest worked, at least not according to my (clearly limited) knowledge of the Hebrew Bible ("old testimate.')

According to the Hebrew bible, farmers are to leave the corners of their fields unplowed so that poor people could come and use the product. I believe they were also required to leave whatever had fallen on the ground elsewhere.
There were many types of sacrifices, but in general: The Temple sacrifices was actually the blood and fats of the animals. The animal meat itself would have been eaten by the Kohens (priests) and Levites (assistants), as well as the owner. In this sense it was much like a community tax, in that it was a way to support the goals of the wider community.

Now where you are mixing in some things that do have relevance is that after the Temple was destroyed, different types of prayers were introduced. And yes, certain acts at meals are intended to represent those sacrifices (ie. salt on bread at start of meal.)

Maybe someone else can provide more/better detail, if you are interested.

Can really see a link between Muslims, Christians and Jews concerning Prayer three times aday. It could be that this very early religious doctrine was adopted to modern eating habits having three prayers coincide with three meals aday. The earliest of Baptist writings retained from First Century A.D. indicates the Lord's Prayer to be said three times a day. And that the Lord's Prayer itself is traced to Judism an early version is dated around 500 B.C. What Westerners do not get is the Arab Culture of practicing while prostrate on the ground and pointed towards Mecca. Most Christians including Catholics have to be ordered to hit their knees on a daily basis. Of course, listening helps too or meditation

That is not what was described to me in sunday school. But it was southern baptist and not Hebrew.

Jews pray three times a day. Muslims, five. Since the early Christians were Jews, it does, of course, make sense that their prayer would have also been three times a day. But by the time of Jesus, Jews had already been saying prayers at mealtime for hundreds of years, and for about a thousand years by the time of Mohammed. Daily prayer time does not correspond to meal time. Muslims have specific times, Jews have time frames (ie morning, afternoon and evenings).

That says it all

You're telling me

Well thanks for the corrections. I have not studied actual times of early Jewish prayers. My two sense is in reference to the Didache which contains an early version of the Lord's Prayer and instructions to say it three times a day. I would have to go back and check, if those instructions specifically state meal times. Right now my memory indicates that the instruction for those being schooled and practicing early Christianity did not include a reference to meal times. I take liberty to call them Baptists being that Baptism and instructions on how to Baptise an individual are very specific. But I will not get into a history of Baptism itself on this thread. Of course I do know that specific prayers are given on specific Jewish Holidays which do involve meals and fasting as part of the ritual. Fasting of course adopted by Early Judeo-Christians as well.

Of course, the standard Jewish disclaimer has to apply to all discussions of what Jews do or don't do. The disclaimer is as follows: No one Jew can speak for all Jews; no Jew practices Judaism in exactly the same way. Thus, many modern Jews don't actually pray three times a day. I don't.

As far as praying before meals, Jews have specific prayers that are said for specific food items, and they all follow a basic formula, which is usually recited in Hebrew, then (sometimes, especially if a non-Jew is present at the meal) translated:

"Blessed are you, Eternal God, for creating the fruit of the vine" <<--- blessing over wine.

"Blessed are you, Eternal God, who brings forth bread from the earth." <<--- blessing over bread.

Many of our prayers follow this "Blessed are you, Eternal God, for ______" formula.

After meals, observant Jews recite the Birkat Hamazon, the "blessing after meals," which is a longer kind of "call and response" prayer that serves as a reminder of the Jews' covenant with God and God's promise to take care of the Jews. This is recited in Hebrew and not translated.

Most Reform Jews, I would argue, will generally only say the ritual meal prayers on Shabbat (sabbath - Friday night at sundown), where a ritualistic family meal is shared. Families bless candles, wine, and challah, a ritually braided egg bread.

ok, but now we've moved quite a bit away from Real's original question. Why?

That's really interesting in that the Ritual of Communion said to be started by JC at the Last supper is really based on Jewish tradition and/or Ritual to Bless certain consumables such as bread and Wine, JC having been a Jewish/Arab kid himself and mentioned in Muslim writings as well ? Correct me if you will because I am not mentioning Islamist rituals and using the term Muslim. And I am a stupid American not really studying Non-Christian religions as much as I ought to do so and urged by others.

Forty-two.

No, that doesn't work.

For me, I think prayer, just like everything in Judaism, connects me to my tradition and to a deep spiritual heritage. I don't actually think God is up there saying, "ooh did he bless that bread before eating it? naughty naughty!" But then again, Judaism isn't about doing things because of fear of some divine retribution. It's about doing things because we have a covenant relationship with God, and prayer and traditions connect us to that relationship.

Well, I think the history of Religious ritual and practice is important relating to the topic. The why is a no brainer to me, in that the prayers are Thanksgiving if you believe all things come from the Father, the Creator or name your favorite High Power. I call him Art:

Our Padre Art, whose crib be in Heaven, shout out to his name...

I'm an atheist and I despise religion, but I've got to say that is the most balanced and honest answer (from a believer), that I've read regarding prayer.

Personally, i have a lot of trouble with this. i try to remember to pray for my meals, but usually if there aren't elder family members at the table i tend to forget. specifically the prayer is to recognize that while i work and buy my food, God is still the one who blesses me with the ability to do so. It is also a recognition that I have faith that He will provide for me even when I don't know where my next meal might come from.

"It is also a recognition that I have faith that He will provide for me even when I don't know where my next meal might come from. "

Yes!

The eternal Tao!

Why would your God bless you and your overabundance of food in America when others are starving to death...like in Africa?

What kind of God would allow this over and over again?

Ah, now we're getting off-topic again. However, I'll answer this.

My conception of God is rather abstract. I sort of think of God as the sum total of all of the good things that humanity is capable of, as the spiritual focus of the essential goodness of humanity. Therefore, to me, God isn't a little old man in the clouds who can zap famine away, and it's up to us to harness our human abilities to do good in order to fix problems like famine, war, and poverty. That's a Jewish concept called Tikkun Olam - repairing the world.

Thanks! Like I've said, I have respect for atheism and secular humanism. Both philosophies (not sure what exactly to call them - I know you don't like to call atheism a "belief") focus their energies on harnessing the human capacity for good in the world, and that's a good thing in my book.

SJD

For what it's worth, in "traditional" Judaism, God is not "a little old man in the clouds" either. The concept of Tikkun Olam, even traditionally, is that humans have the responsiblity to complete the world, to repair and improve the world. Creation in this regard is, I think, a joint effort.)

I couldn't have said it better myself Real!

To me religion gives people an excuse to do nothing, because they believe that the ultimate reward will come in heaven. A child like the one in this picture should not have to wait until heaven to no longer feel hunger pangs. A child should not have to wait until heaven to not know illness. A mother should not have to wait until heaven to have her child's cries for help answered.

If it is up to humanity to help god's children, then we are failing miserably. And that idea total contradicts the notion that god is in control of our lives.... that he pulls all the strings.... that it his will being done on the earth. Clearly, god has forgotten all about us.

Maybe some people's religions. Others will not permit people to do nothing. And there are no shortage of do-nothing non-religious people as well.

I haven't met one. Where are they????

Sinisters SJD applies,

but Judaism, for example, requires that people take action, even among the religious. You would not be allowed to not take action to make situations better, waiting for "the next world." Observant Jews are not allowed to deny food to someone who is hungry. I can't tell you that each person lives up to that standard, but it is the law. "Charity" is not a concept, "Justice" is.

You can have this kingdom, because I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was alone and away from home, and you invited me into your home. I was without clothes, and you gave me something to wear. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you came to visit me.' "Then the good people will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and give you food? When did we see you thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you alone and away from home and invite you into our home? When did we see you without clothes and give you something to wear? When did we see you sick or in prison and care for you?' "Then the king will answer, 'I tell you the truth. Anything you did for any of my people here, you also did for me.'

Matthew 25

Good food, good meat-
Good God, let's eat!

Rumour has it that..... the photographer of this phote won a prize!
He also walked away after he took the picture, and didn't help as the bird ate the child.
He also committed suicide.

as for prayer, I try to say thanks to the spirit of the animal for sacrificing his life to preserve mine.
I also see no harm in giving Thanks to a Creator for making the animal, who sacrificed his life to preserve mine.
But I don't always say thanks, since I don't want to sound trite.

As for making coffee....the BIBLE specifically says that men should make it....it's in HEBREWS!

AMEN! Pass the ketchup!

I agree! There are many non-religious that do nothing. That's why some of us have redefined ourselves as Secular Humanists. That's why I donate to heifer.org

and a couple others.

I find it terribly disturbing that some (not all) religious folks use the "God's Will" phrase as an excuse for the lack of intervention from their "Supreme Being" that reigns and watches over us. When requestioned, they will answer "It's not our choice to question God" or some other similar phrase.

God Schmod...

I pray continuously... NEVER to any "All Knowing Omnimpotent" being, and NEVER for my own salvation . I pray for the liberation of ALL living beings from suffering in all of its' various incarnations.

I hate that picture of the Vulture awaiting the death of the inocent.

Gee... I wonder if that village water suply has been privatized?

Boogy Boogy.

Sounds pretty... but "Faith" don't cut it.

I find a few moments of "doing nothing" before a meal is as calming as prayer. I don't mean an extra two minutes of loafing on the sofa, but sitting quietly, doing nothing.

Very sad and disgusting thought... isn't it?



Try? Have you ever contemplated the life of the one you have taken? The sufferning that being endured to end up on your plate? How about the karma you acheive by this act?



"There is no salvation without compassion for all living beings".

Is there a creator? Is the Earth 4,500 years old and flat? Please explain.



Desire, Greed, Fear, Ignorance, Pride



Good thing the Coffee Bean is not sentient.

Lila... as a follower of Krishna you should know this.

When man was hunter and gatherer, they had to come up away to honor the life taken that gives one sustainance. Or trees ripe with fruit. A good crop, a good harvest, a fine piece of livestock, etc. The last potatos in the cupboard, nothing, etc. To pray before a meal acknowledges the energy that you and, now for the most part others, have utilized to bring you your food. To give thanks. And to give thanks for those one may "breaking bread with" whether they be human or animal (wasn't it wonderful that Al Gore brought up the poisoning of our pets by China in his endorsement speech for Obama). And to be humble in the face the those who have too little to eat.

In Secular terms, I suppose it is the importance of composing oneself before eating because it is good for one's digestion. A moment of self-reflection can spare one hours of heartburn.

"God is good... God is great,
Thank you God...
For what's on my plate"

The moment is now gone. Lost forever. It is impermanent.

Kind of takes the life out of things... don't it?

I find totally hypocritical that someone who would demand truth or facts in a court of law, for instance...but yet credit mythology for their meals knowing that they bought the goods at the store. IMO, it's like living a lie.

If that person actually believes God provided that meal or could do so...why not wait/pray for that God to deliver??

Krishna? Who is Krishna?
As for yur interpretation of what I said on prayer...it still remains YOUR interpretation.

Ooh, right on one point, wrong on another, weasel on the other.

1. He did win a prize, it's an incredible photo
2. He did walk away after the photo, so did the child
3. He didn't commit suicide because he let the child the die (which I'm almost certain she did though not when the photo was taken) he killed himself because of money problems and depression, which is understandable considering he was photojournalist who spent most of his time in conflict zones

RIP Kevin Carter

It's so easy for everyone to blame you when you did more to fight hunger than any number of undeserved angry letter writers ever will.

That you worked to put food on the table does not mean that you created your provisions out of your own effort, any more than capital can, by itself create wealth. A prayer over one's food is a good reminder that you are connected to something else, dependant on something or someone else for you life as a human being, whether that be God or community or the soil and the complex web of life of which the food crops are a part.

Call it an innoculation against hubris, the deepest, deadliest and most destructive of sins. The sin of Adam and Eve and of Cain and of the Sodomites and neo-conservatives.

When this subject comes up, I am always reminded of the spin that Josephus puts on the story of Cain and Abel. Josephus describes Cain as " a man much intent on getting." His greatest pride was to wrest a living from the soil, to grow wheat and grapes and and cucumbers and what have you. He ate well because, in his mind, he was a go-getter. When he approached sacrifice, it was with the thought;"Lord, look what i have done and what I have made. And I am celebrating by sharing it with you."

But Abel was a simple shepherd, dependent on the rain and the grasses to support his flocks. When he sacrificed a lamb, it was to say: "Lord, you have provided for me, and I return to you what is your due from what I have." This was the sacrifice that God was looking for, this recognition that He was the source of it all and that Man should remember that and have a care for the Creation and not put themselves in a lofty position and begin to abuse the land and each other. Cain, however, was just being an arrogant and boastful schmuck, and probably did not think of the earth as something for which he needed to show any respect. He thought himself far cooler than he was. This is why God favored Abel's sacrifice over that of Cain. It had nothing to do with a preference for bread over lamb, but a preference for piety and wisdom over pride and craftiness.

And Cain just couldn't stand being told that he was not really all that cool.

I do not practice any specific religious rituals myself, but Ai always have this story and this interpretation of it in the back of my mind somewhere. I do wish, however, that certain of our government officials would pray over their meals and think, as they do so, of the meaning of sacrificial meals and of the meals that Cain and Abel ate before God and why they did it.