Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

MineralMan

(151,274 posts)
26. My parents were atheists, so there was no gracing at holiday meals
Tue Nov 26, 2024, 04:08 PM
Nov 2024

My wife's parents are Lutherans, of Norwegian heritage. Grace at holidays was always a traditional Norwegian-language grace. Nobody in the family spoke Norwegian, so it was just sounds that represented the prayer. I even learned it, and I'm an atheist. It seemed like the ideal thing to do.

Recommendations

4 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Oh Brother! Turbineguy Nov 2024 #1
I had a nephew-in-law who refused to remove his red MAGA hat no_hypocrisy Nov 2024 #2
Can't say I blame you, fuck that... and his stupid hat!! InAbLuEsTaTe Nov 2024 #32
Hmmmm Prairie Gates Nov 2024 #3
Tell him no! atreides1 Nov 2024 #4
BINGO!! InAbLuEsTaTe Nov 2024 #33
I agree - no. Mom says grace and will keep it non-political. alcuno Nov 2024 #73
This BlueKota Nov 2024 #109
Exactly. Thanksgiving is NOT a political holiday and he is not entitled to foist his politics on the rest of the family. ratchiweenie Nov 2024 #138
Put him at the kiddie table. travelingthrulife Nov 2024 #5
And buy all of the kids propeller caps to wear while at the table. TheBlackAdder Nov 2024 #64
Hahaha wryter2000 Nov 2024 #101
Is he an evilgelical? Because got-DAMN!, those assholes never know when to come in for a landing. Aristus Nov 2024 #6
This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Nov 2024 #11
Wait until Trump busts apart the unions NameAlreadyTaken Nov 2024 #34
It'll be bad. Mariana Nov 2024 #94
Tiktokers are requesting people xmas74 Nov 2024 #137
I will be there for it! JoseBalow Nov 2024 #144
Who did his union endorse? wryter2000 Nov 2024 #102
Oh yeah. Just heard one of them on TV. He's running for Gaetz's seat. This guy said he will allegorical oracle Nov 2024 #22
I see orangecrush Nov 2024 #52
Oh yes. Aristus Nov 2024 #89
Thanks for sharing that orangecrush Nov 2024 #96
Wow! That was some impressive patience on your part. Crunchy Frog Nov 2024 #100
I knew from the very start that conservative Christianity was a bad fit for her. Aristus Nov 2024 #111
Oh Aristus. You have TOTALLY captured it. LearnedHand Nov 2024 #78
I suppose I owe you an apology for that. Aristus Nov 2024 #90
They pray to the Lord Weejus Stuckinthebush Nov 2024 #84
Gawd! Aristus Nov 2024 #91
When he is done... lame54 Nov 2024 #7
Tell him no nt XanaDUer2 Nov 2024 #8
Can you tell him ahead of time "This is NOT the time or place for a political message!" dellivered with a steely look? CTyankee Nov 2024 #9
Man I'm glad our family is not religious. Emile Nov 2024 #10
Post removed Post removed Nov 2024 #12
What an asshole, ruining your mother's Thanksgiving. Do what you want but I'd tell him to go fuck himself. dem4decades Nov 2024 #13
NO FUCKING WAY! bluestarone Nov 2024 #14
I, for one, would suggest mom disinvite brother. But, assuming she won't, gather some nice Bible verses that refute Vinca Nov 2024 #15
DON'T GO NameAlreadyTaken Nov 2024 #16
I love the idea of helping at a charity, it's great! Conjuay Nov 2024 #132
Just tell him your mom is saying grace and there will be NO discussion of politics, and if he doesn't highplainsdem Nov 2024 #17
This is taking "Own the Libs" to a whole new post-election Submariner Nov 2024 #18
Either (1.) Skip Thanksgiving dinner this year; or Paladin Nov 2024 #19
John Jaccob Jinglehiemer Schmit proud patriot Nov 2024 #24
It's a Small World BigMin28 Nov 2024 #65
YEAH !! perfect proud patriot Nov 2024 #83
New lyrics to the second one: done-old hates the little children niyad Nov 2024 #113
Gee, thanks for the earworm! Perfect! niyad Nov 2024 #135
Better yet, Alice's Restaurant. LuckyLib Nov 2024 #67
Pepper makes me sneeze. taxi Nov 2024 #20
ohhhhhhh, you are sooooooo bad!!! niyad Nov 2024 #136
I'd tell him "Sure, no problem." madamesilverspurs Nov 2024 #21
Love it NameAlreadyTaken Nov 2024 #27
It would be a hard pass for me. For your sanity WhiteTara Nov 2024 #23
So glad I don't have anything like this to worry about. Baitball Blogger Nov 2024 #25
My parents were atheists, so there was no gracing at holiday meals MineralMan Nov 2024 #26
This one? Ocelot II Nov 2024 #58
Yes. MineralMan Nov 2024 #74
Oh thank you for the bit of Norsk culture! LearnedHand Nov 2024 #80
Whose home will it be at? returnee Nov 2024 #28
Who is hosting this dinner? GoCubsGo Nov 2024 #29
tell him NO, and if he tosses his toys from the pram, then tell him to sod off and not come, his desires do not trump Celerity Nov 2024 #30
I wish this was all I have to worry about Bonx Nov 2024 #31
May all your problems resolve in peace. Meanwhile, when a family is ripped asunder by hate... Hekate Nov 2024 #66
Bet he will ask gawd to bless Trump. nt doc03 Nov 2024 #35
Tell your tRumpy-lovin brother to eat shit (instead of turkey) and die!! InAbLuEsTaTe Nov 2024 #36
Watch Daily Show for Thanksgiving behavior. LakeArenal Nov 2024 #37
Unless he's hosting and/or footing the bill for this dinner, he's a guest and should act like one Deuxcents Nov 2024 #38
Shame on him for acting like an ass. Maybe you should tell him that. CrispyQ Nov 2024 #39
Is he hosting the dinner? Fresh_Start Nov 2024 #40
Persuade *your mother* to tell him no, firmly. eppur_se_muova Nov 2024 #41
Thank you, Jesus, for this meal. mahatmakanejeeves Nov 2024 #42
Perfect. Let's see how it's gonna go next year with deportations n tariffs Deuxcents Nov 2024 #57
Quite a dilemma. EndlessWire Nov 2024 #43
One word: NO! If that doesn't work, say "I hope you have a nice Thanksgiving. Where ever you're going to be." rsdsharp Nov 2024 #44
Maybe everybody else needs to show up late, then? tanyev Nov 2024 #45
Mom's House (or your house), Mom says grace. haele Nov 2024 #46
Since your mom usually does grace Sundance1220 Nov 2024 #47
This is very simple BannonsLiver Nov 2024 #48
Say no Tesha Nov 2024 #49
Just say, "Don't make us uninvite you" or, "Only people that do the dishes are allowed rebuttal time." FSogol Nov 2024 #50
Leave the room when he goes on his prayer rant. Irish_Dem Nov 2024 #51
Your brother is a bully Keepthesoulalive Nov 2024 #53
Absolutely not wryter2000 Nov 2024 #54
Tell him NO!!! VGNonly Nov 2024 #55
Let him say whatever he wants, meanwhile you Hassler Nov 2024 #56
What does the family usually do with unruly children disrupting the meal? Think. Again. Nov 2024 #59
I'm with the 'it's a Mom tradition' crowd here. Plus, give an inch and he'll take a mile. chowder66 Nov 2024 #60
He's going to take his mile whether he's given in inch or not. Mariana Nov 2024 #71
Demanding? That is grounds for disqualification, right there ... marble falls Nov 2024 #61
Only if you are allowed to videotape... S/V Loner Nov 2024 #62
Just tell him no. Quiet Em Nov 2024 #63
It's a power trip. If he is the host --boycott. If he is trying to take over elsewhere, back up the host(ess)... Hekate Nov 2024 #68
The hostess probably won't stand up to him. Mariana Nov 2024 #72
I wouldn't go. Buckeyeblue Nov 2024 #69
How are we supposed to even begin to negotiate this? Mariana Nov 2024 #70
"Go fuck yourself asshole." would be my response ZonkerHarris Nov 2024 #75
I have no one in my family like that at all, so my solution would drastic and unrealistic. DFW Nov 2024 #76
This is why people are cutting MAGAt family members out of their lives Bettie Nov 2024 #77
Wait in the other room and don't be seated until he is done. Then, seat and say the regular prayer. keithbvadu2 Nov 2024 #79
Asshole. Have everyone at the party tell your asshole brother that no one wants to hear Scrivener7 Nov 2024 #81
NO!!! He's lucky to even be invited. I have trumper family who I am cutting off!! OrlandoDem2 Nov 2024 #82
Open the stopwatch app on your phone, and bring extra mashed potatoes; lots of mashed potatoes Attilatheblond Nov 2024 #85
Get a fart app for your phone Stuckinthebush Nov 2024 #86
Steely look with Bible in hand and state "You want to rebuttal grace? No, we don't do devil worship here". TheKentuckian Nov 2024 #87
Mom says grace and you eat. kacekwl Nov 2024 #88
That was my first thought. Usually, the final "amen" is as good as a starter's pistol. nt Buns_of_Fire Nov 2024 #127
This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Nov 2024 #92
You are giving him way too much latitude. Just no. It's completely wacko. No political speeches Scrivener7 Nov 2024 #103
Ignore it. Kaleva Nov 2024 #121
Why would he get to supersede your mother? That's really disrespectful. Iris Nov 2024 #93
He can say whatever he wants, but nobody has to listen! Initech Nov 2024 #95
I would Rebl2 Nov 2024 #97
Tell him he must first provide legal proof of his qualifications for making said prayer, Jack Valentino Nov 2024 #98
Can somebody just tell him no? Crunchy Frog Nov 2024 #99
Tell him to go fuck himself and to find another home for his dinner Aviation Pro Nov 2024 #104
One possibility is to give Monty Python the chance for a rebuttal prayer..... albacore Nov 2024 #105
Saying Grace is no place for politics...WTF Tribetime Nov 2024 #106
Thoughts? tenderfoot Nov 2024 #107
You think the OP was made up? arthritisR_US Nov 2024 #118
Yes tenderfoot Nov 2024 #123
why? nt orleans Nov 2024 #124
That's ok, but I'm really interested in how you got to that point. arthritisR_US Nov 2024 #125
yeppers John Shaft Nov 2024 #134
Oh, shoot. I fell for it. Scrivener7 Nov 2024 #139
For the win. Kingofalldems Nov 2024 #141
Another possibility is to whip out some sort of recording device... albacore Nov 2024 #108
Tell him he can leave the table and say BlueKota Nov 2024 #110
Disinvite him ibegurpard Nov 2024 #112
I'd tell him he can have all the time he wants at his house. patphil Nov 2024 #114
Crawl DaBronx Nov 2024 #115
Handle it democratically. Vote for him or an alternative. OAITW r.2.0 Nov 2024 #116
Start heckling him and say fake news while he's speaking? newdeal2 Nov 2024 #117
Well, since you asked for thoughts... B.See Nov 2024 #119
If he does get to say grace. Blue Full Moon Nov 2024 #120
Why is this up for negotiation? Kaleva Nov 2024 #122
video tape it, and play it back for him next year. Meadowoak Nov 2024 #126
But drop a link for us here to enjoy JoseBalow Nov 2024 #131
Your mother needs Meowmee Nov 2024 #128
If that's the spirit he's bringing, then he doesn't need to be there misanthrope Nov 2024 #129
He voted for Felon45? No dinner for him. Tell him to go to Boston Market. GoneOffShore Nov 2024 #130
My Take BeerBarrelPolka Nov 2024 #133
Ahh--I am not fooled one bit. Kingofalldems Nov 2024 #140
This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Nov 2024 #142
Please update and tell us what he says! Mariana Nov 2024 #143
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»This message was self-del...»Reply #26