Seem ridiculous ? Yep !
Seems religious people (and republicans) mostly live in the shadow of fear... as you suggest, praying over every meal or “pastors” blaming hurricanes on homosexuality, and anti trump” protesters. “We must pray to remove this scourge from... “.
As a child I had that threat at home and school... school was worse, each hour the church bell would ring we'd have to kneel next to our desk, recite hail mary’s, get whacked by the “good nuns” if we rushed or didn’t show enough respect.
If I was gonna thank Jesus for my my meal I’d invoke his whole name, Jesus Torres Garcia...

You need to inform them that they need to be thanking the farmer that grew it not some obeisant disconnected invisible Easter Bunny in the Sky. Put your gratitude where it belongs, farmer get little else they might as well get some thanks.

It's absurd.

Funny story: I recently had a meal with some really old people, because they are long family friends, and I was at their house after raking leaves for them. I sat down at the table and commented that everything smelled good and looked nutritious, or something along those lines. I starting eating the sweet potatoes, and said wow these are good, I’ve never had organic sweet potatoes, they kind of taste like pumpkin. I start looking around and nobody is eating and I’m thinking what the hell are they waiting for? About 6 seconds later I remembered that they are religious and I forgot that religious people pray before a meal. They didn’t say anything, but I stopped eating, and leaned back from my plate and they must of realized that I realized why they weren't eating. The elderly couple’s son starting saying grace and I felt so awkward because I didn’t know what to do besides just kind of lean forward and put my hand together. I know you’re thinking “just don’t participate and say you don’t believe in religion.”

The couple is 99 and 100 years old and they are the nicest people on the planet. I’m not gonna disrespect them and not at least kind of attempt to mumble amen and lord blah blah..

The son is 70 and I explained my personal views about religion to him in the kitchen but I cannot explain all the nuances of eastern philosophy, for example and materialism or the concept of god to people who are 99 and 100 years old. I’d rather just say respond with “Yeah, absolutely Jesus loves me.” These are good people, folks. They mean no harm.

Until we can all afford to have a taster ( for poison) it may be prudent to pray over the smallest morsel

I use to live in a household where they did it ALL the time... it's more-so annoying than anything...

Not going to thank god for the food. Might be good to take a moment and be thankful for those involved in planting, growing, harvesting, etc. For their labors. And for those who prepared what you are about to eat.

I don't mind prayers over, or the blessing of, food. Its a moment to be mindful of the plight of the migrant workers who harvested my meal, the struggles of wage inequality for those who source the food to me, and the gluttony of excess when so many don't have enough to eat. I'm a vegetarian, but if meat is served, I'm mindful of the sacrifice of this animal to a culture of consumption.

I was in a Wendy;s the other day and a man and his wife starting praying over their burger and fries before eating. They joined hands and gave thanks to the lord for this wonderful bounty. I was a little annoying since they were so loud, so i just tried to ignore them. I have also been to family gatherings where the pre-meal invocation seems to last forever, which is a whole other story.

I have a cousin who is a rector (Anglican priest). When I had dinner with him, I paused at the start of the meal, expecting a prayer, but he just tucked in. "You don't say grace?" I asked. "No. Never a tradition in our family," he replied. His tone suggested he thought it was a silly idea.

I don't thank anyone for my meals - but I do feel gratitude that I have food. And a roof over me, and a warm bed to sleep in...

its stupid

If you had a wife like my ex, you would pray before eating.

It's an absurd tradition/superstition, probably a holdover from when people didn't understand why there were droughts and floods that ruined their crops so they created god[s] to save them from these misfortunes.

I think instead of praying for help, most atheists volunteer their help and money to people in need of help. Since god isn't doing shit.

Praying to an unapproachable imaginary entity seems a little ridiculous to begin with, but before every meal seems equally ridiculous.

I think it's silly, too, but like you, I don't subscribe to religious dogma. If I'm at somebody's house and they start praying over their food, I'll just look at my plate and remain silent for the duration of the incantations, just out of courtesy.