A propos of my recent post on thank-you notes, Lisa pointed out a nice essay in today's Globe.
Comments
For years I have watched people celebrate Thanksgiving by basically eating and thanking God for what they have. I think that's fine, if they want to do that.
As an atheist, I have to acknowledge that it is not God who I have to thank for many of the good things that have happened to me throughout the year, but the people I know. And I can actually thank them for real.
It started when I saw people thanking God for miracles of modern medicine which were surely the result of the hard work of a number of scientists, researchers and doctors, and administered by their own doctor. People have worked hard, they deserve to be acknowledged and thanked rather than have their efforts trivialized as the net effect of some deity.
So, thank God if one is inclined to, but why not also thank the actual people? At least, that's how I see Thanksgiving.
Well put, James! (And I can't resist adding that the same people who thank God for everything good that happens are often the same ones who blame PEOPLE when something bad happens.)
Happy Thanksgiving, and thanks to you for being a thought-provoking and fun-inspiring blogger!
For years I have watched people celebrate Thanksgiving by basically eating and thanking God for what they have. I think that's fine, if they want to do that.
As an atheist, I have to acknowledge that it is not God who I have to thank for many of the good things that have happened to me throughout the year, but the people I know. And I can actually thank them for real.
It started when I saw people thanking God for miracles of modern medicine which were surely the result of the hard work of a number of scientists, researchers and doctors, and administered by their own doctor. People have worked hard, they deserve to be acknowledged and thanked rather than have their efforts trivialized as the net effect of some deity.
So, thank God if one is inclined to, but why not also thank the actual people? At least, that's how I see Thanksgiving.
Posted by: James | November 21, 2005 at 08:42 AM
Well put, James! (And I can't resist adding that the same people who thank God for everything good that happens are often the same ones who blame PEOPLE when something bad happens.)
Happy Thanksgiving, and thanks to you for being a thought-provoking and fun-inspiring blogger!
Posted by: Karen | November 21, 2005 at 10:24 AM