Atheist Grace

Last night at a public function, I was asked to present an impromptu toast to Queen Elizabeth II. For those unaware of the Canadian political system, Betty is our ceremonial head of state. Let's just say that the 30 seconds notice I was given in no way assisted my abysmal performance.

In any event, the only reason I mention this is that I want to be prepared for the next time I am asked to say grace before a public gathering. The following is loosely based on the World Hunger Grace and is the best that I have come up with so far:

For food in a world where many walk in hunger
For peace in a world where many walk in fear
For friends in a world where many walk alone
Let's give thanks to whatever we believe is responsible for our good fortune
Amen
Let's give thanks to all those, both past and present,
Who have turned our society into what it is today,
And let's continue with their endeavor to make the world a better place.

Cheers

Postscript - reddit.com visitors have suggested another couple excellent secular graces:

Thank you to the farmers who grew the crops and raised the animals we're about to eat, and to the animals also for their delicious flesh. Thank you to the migrant workers who picked these crops for probably about a dollar an hour. Thank you to my wife who cooked the meal. Thank you Presidents Lincoln and Cleveland for establishing the USDA that inspected the food for pathogens, and Anton van Leeuwenhoek for discovering pathogens in the first place, and Galileo for inventing the compound microscope he used to do it. Thank you Louis Pasteur for coming up with the process to make this milk and juice safe to drink. Now let's eat, r'amen. [courtesy of rooktakesqueen]

We are thankful for being. We are thankful for being here. We are thankful for being here together. [courtesy of MasterAaron01]

[The picture reproduced above is entitled "Green Shoal" and was painted by Hamilton, Ontario based artist Charles Meanwell]