(NOTE: I don't do public speaking well anyway, practically makes me faint) I laughed it off and said oh I am really not qualified and someone else stepped up. It was doubly uncomfortable but in a religious family's home so not much else I could do.

most religious people, even the nicest ones are so oblivious to the concept that there are atheists out there that it would never occur to them they were actually being kind of rude while offering such and "honor" to a guest.

ready. It goes like this:

As we sit down to enjoy this meal,
Let's give thanks to all those who grew this food,
And to those who processed and handled this food,
And to those who prepared it for our meal.
Thanks, too, to all those animals who died so we could eat.

It's simple, short and to the point. I've never heard a peep of complaint about it.

fortunately I have no social life so the opportunity will likely never arise again

I was that kid who was not afraid to smart off from the back of the room or even ask questions from the front row, but put me on the spot like that or hand me a microphone and I just freeze up, no matter the audience.

So, I got involved in a local computer users' group. I was also writing for a couple of computer magazines at the time. I got roped into being the President of the group, which grew to over 100 at each meeting. So, it fell to me one day a month to spend about an hour up in front of everyone, talking about some computer topic or another or demonstrating a piece of software.

It didn't take too long for me to get fairly comfortable with speaking to a group of people. That stood me in good stead when I was asked to speak at conventions, etc., in front of a bunch of strangers.

So, something like saying a sort of grace before a family meal or a few words at the funerals I'm going to more often than I want, isn't so difficult any longer. It really is a learned thing. The more of it you do, the less anxious you are.

did at the first Thanksgiving. They were extremely religious but they didn't thank God. The entire feast was a three day party to THANK the Indians for saving their lives. When they came here from England their knowledge and experience was as "city dwellers" who had shops in towns. They were not builders, hunters, farmers or fishermen. After most of them died during the first winter the Indians taught them how to hunt, fish and farm...they saved the Pilgrims lives. God was not who they were grateful for...the Indians were the recipients of their gratitude.

I taught school and this is what is taught as part of the curriculum in the state of CA.

who helped provide the food than some deity looking down from some lofty perch. After all, without all those people, we'd have nothing to eat, in most cases.

The first one was in 1621 and lasted for three days and games, competitions, etc were all part of the celebration.
http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving/history-of-thanksgiving

Bradford was at the 1621 celebration, as was Edward Winslow. They didn't write much about it, but given that both men were Separatists -- as were most of the company they kept -- it is something of a stretch to think this feast was without religious overtone. To say they didn't thank God is just crazy. These guys couldn't walk to the privy without thanking God for their safe journey and timely digestion.

Thank Yous were the Indians during the first one at least. God comes in second place.

towards those who believe something different.

Avoiding the issue of amazing grace.

Grace.

What a sweet sounding word.