Need some help with wording.

[baratron]

I could write a long preamble to explain the context of this request, but it's 6.30 am and I have to be up again at 12, and the only reason I'm posting this from my phone is because I won't be able to sleep until I do.

I need some wording to explain that we're having a minute's silence at the start of the meal so people who want to say grace can do so without imposing their religion on the atheists present. It needs to be diplomatic, and give no particular preference to either "side". Any ideas?

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Comments

[quiet000001.livejournal.com]

I don't have anything brilliant springing to mind (hey, it's 3am here :) ) but - what about looking at things suggested for Canadian and American Thanksgiving? It's not really a religious holiday as such, so maybe there's some kind of little saying or something that could lead into the moment for prayer/contemplation without being all religious-y?

I'm thinking something to do with harvests and being able to have food and spare the time to enjoy a meal in celebration with friends, family, and loved ones, blah blah. I don't really consider that religious because it's not like you're celebrating that god or whomever gave you the food, like you might when saying grace - you're just appreciating the fact that the way your life is, you're able to be there at that moment to share that special event. For some people, that appreciation may take the form of prayer, for others not so much.

Does that make sense?

[rhialto.livejournal.com]

My grandfather started to say, when he got older, "let's start with some silence, so we can start the meal the way we're used to.". That always sounded really diplomatic to me, especially given how pushy he was about prayers before.

[hatter.livejournal.com]

I like this one, tradition over philosophy.


the hatter

[meirion.livejournal.com]

That sounds pretty much perfect to me. It's relaxed, informal, and non-pushy.

[hiddenpaw.livejournal.com]

How about:
"My Friends and Family, Those gathered here are of various religions and none. As such we will now have a minuets science so those who wish to mark the beginning of their meal may do so in their own way. Please respect each other."

The last sentence is optional depending on it's necessity for the congregation in question.