And then of course there is the debate as to whether Thanksgiving is a religious holiday at all. (I know you were waiting for someone to take you up on that statement, and I am the asshole who did.)
I actually Googled this statement to get a broader base of opinion on the subject, and while there are a few who believe it is religious, the overwhelming consensus is that it is a secular American holiday. Americans come in many different shapes and sizes with many different belief systems (or lack of belief systems) and they are all celebrating an American holiday.
FTR, I don't think "asshole" applies to you.
But I have to say that Thanksgiving has only become secular in the same sense that Christmas has. Turkey, parades and football (and how 'bout that LSU-Arkansas upset!!!!) serve about the same purpose as Santa, Toys and Rudolph do. They have changed the focus from the meaning of the celebration to the method. Still, the implication of the term "Thanksgiving" is religious. It was intended, from its beginning, to be a national expression of gratitude to God. This is an American expression of the concept of harvest festivals that have gone on from ancient times in many cultures. It is well expressed in the beloved hymn "Come, Ye Thankful People Come."
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/c/o/comeytpc.htmBrass has chosen to turn this inward, by expressing his love and gratitude to those who are important in his life. I think that is a very constructive way to reconcile the traditions of our culture with his own value system. This is an example of the kind of assimilation that has been very successful in cross-cultural situations throughout history. This approach is rather the opposite of the endless, shrill protests of any mention of "Christ" in the holiday season. "Season's Greetings" "holiday shopping events" and "family trees" have replaced "Merry Christmas" "Christmas Sales" and "Christmas trees" out of a silly sense of PC. Thanksgiving, since the "thanks" could be equally applied to my god, your god, nature or your loved ones, is more easily reconciled.
The problem is that some on the anti-religion or anti-Christian side of the issue insist on stifling religious expression. Equally, some of those on the pro-religion or pro-Christian side insist that compromise is a betrayal of faith. With Brass's interpretation of "thanksgiving" as general gratitude rather than gratitude to a particular deity, he can still participate in the celebration - including in it, perhaps, those of his family and friends who are religious - without compromising either set of values.
I am curious, Brass, if you read this. Do you have the big family get-together and turkey-fest? If so - and assuming you have some family members who view this holiday in the more traditional sense - is a prayer offered? Is it specific (said, for example, in the name of Jesus Christ or addressed to "Our Father in Heaven") or do you opt for a more generic prayer or expression of gratitude? If the prayer is specific, how do you deal with it?
