I have the same problem but I mostly just look around to see who else isn't praying. If they see me looking they can't say anything bc they'd be telling on themselves.

Same. Usually in my family the blessing is rather quick so it’s not a big deal.

Hey, if it makes them feel better, let them go for it.
Why make it an issue... ????

That's pretty much what I've done in the past. Looking at my shoes or sit out of the way. I feel it would be rude to make a big display of some kind.

I’m also from a very religious family. I usually just go with the motions and hope someone doesn’t ask me something or put me on the spot.

I feel like I either have to fake it or become estranged.

I do the same. Except now, I am not ashamed.

"I tend to just ignore it and look around the room awkwardly until it's over."

I also use this tactic, lol

LOL..."look around the room awkwardly"

I do the same... I just patiently wait for everyone to say what they say. I can be respectful without being reverent. But I don't allow my love and respect for my family/friends dampen my principles when it comes to sharing my viewpoint.
I don't believe in "If you have no thing nice to say, don't say anything at all".
If you want to be in my life you have to endure my lack of belief the same way I endure your beliefs.

That's pretty much what I do too. I'll mouth the words to institutionalized prayer rituals just to keep the peace, but not believe a single thing coming out of my mouth.

It's like I tell most people whose families are religious: Just smile and nod in all the right places. Religion is not worth creating a rift in the family over.

Today will be the first day that I'm open about it and my baby is old enough to be taught the motions of praying which i do not want... I'm glad you posted this because I'm not totally sure what to do. It's so silly that it's such a big deal.

I would love to stop getting alerts on this topic. It is blowing up my notifications...... I've not "favorited" it or anything...

My children were allowed to choose their own religious beliefs. One is an atheist the other says she's religious but does not attend church or seem to be all that interested in religion. I realize that prayer before meal served more than one purpose. One of the purposes was to get everyone on the same page. With that in mind I had my family take each others hands before each meal and make sure we were all centered. Meaning all on the same page all ready to enjoy our meal together. Sometimes we all reported a happy event of the day. Sometimes we thanked another family member for a kind gesture that happened that day. Sometimes we had a child that just did an I pass. My children and grandchildren will be here for Thanksgiving and that's what we will do for Thanksgiving.

Not only does my religious family do that before holiday meals in somebody's home, we're even expected to hold hands and pray before meals when we go eat at a restaurant. I don't know if it's for show like an act of faith/insecurity thing or what but it's definitely awkward as hell. Like others have said in their comments, I usually bow my head out of respect but don't close my eyes or pray. What's really scary is, my young daughter and her cousins are usually present too and they're being indoctrinated at this young age. I try to do what I can to explain my logic to her but am vastly outnumbered by Christians in my family as well as by her mostly Christian classmates at school.

I once had a Jewish girlfriend who wanted me present at her family's Passover. I explained to her beforehand I wouldn't wear the yarmulke because I don't agree with some of the fundamentals of Jewish faith and practice.
To my suprised delight, my girlfriend announced to everyone when we arrived, "He's not wearing THAT and if he has to WE'RE BOTH LEAVING!"

I don't pretend to pray, but will respect other's prayer with silence. As far as thankfulness goes, it doesn't have to be directed to a diety.

With my family, we just feast that is all that day is. Albeit you can say my family is barely Christian.

I actually excused myself and went to the bathroom. Unfortunately they waited for me. It's really uncomfortable for me now because it's like someone speaking for me and saying things that I disagree with. I really dislike the parts where the person says "we". I just want to say, "not me".
"We thank you Heavenly Father"...No not me but thanks so much to the woman who worked so hard to make this cake.

I make faces at them, flip the bird and various other humorous things while their eyes are closed. Lol. That's on the rare occasion I'm even in the room at the time.

When I was young my brother had a friend over from school. We were about to chow and my brother spouts out Darrel and his family always say the blessing before they eat. My Dad without hesitation says 2 4 6 8 who do we appreciate? God, god yea god lets eat damnit. I laughed my ass off. My brother and his friend weren't pleased. Try it to break the tension. Works for Thanksgiving or church league tee ball

same here.i just share a quiet moment with them

growing up thinking each prayer was meant to be private , It was the group prayers around holidays being vocalized outloud that sent me off thinking.. this ain't right, something's not right,...