Pagans: how would handle a situation like this?

I'm a Buddhist, and I don't know if that's close enough for you, but I'd like to offer my response anyway.

It's their house, so if they want to pray, then there's no problem with that, even if it's sort of faux pas to assume that their guests are Christian. The civil way of dealing with that is by simply not participating. Let them say their prayer while you sit quietly.

I've had this come up numerous times, particularly when invited to the home of a colleague or acquiantance.

I don't make much of a fuss over it. I know that they have most likely automatically assumed that I am Christian as well. If it is their tradition to do so, I wouldn't disrespect them in their home by making a big deal out of it. I would probably not participate, however, as this would go against my beliefs.

In most cases, no real harm or judgment is implied in a simple saying of grace.

As a Pagan, I am so accustomed to being in such a situation, that I don't let it bother me. If saying grace at the dinner table extended to a mini-bible study, proselytizing session, or a game of "Convert That Pagan!"... Well... I'd be none too pleased, and would respectfully, but firmly let it be known.

Why should I expect people to change their regular religious practices, just because I am there?

I would just politely keep quiet during the prayer, and not participate. I would actually feel appreciative that my hosts care enough about me to ask their god to bless me.

If the host insisted on making me participate in some way, or insisted on discussing my personal religious beliefs, that would be an issue.

But as far as personal prayers go, even if they include me, I don't care. It's not my place to infringe upon other's beliefs.

It wouldn't bother me as long as they didn't ask me to do the honors or if they got offended when I didn't say Amen. It is a nice thing to do, to ask for food to be blessed. In these kind of situations, I tend to be able to feel like it's all coming from a good place and I am thankful for my food when I eat it, so I can easily shift the whole Jesus God thing to God and Goddess in my mind. Besides that, it is their home and it is their ritual, I think they have a right to it. Also, the Native Americans believe in blessing their food as well....just in a different way.

It certainly wouldn't keep me from eating, I love food! :)

*edit*

After reading the other answers, I must say it's nice to be in such good company. Pagans in general are such tolerant people, the world could learn much from them. :)

I hate to be the cranky fart on this, but I wouldn't go to dinner at the house of people I didn't know well enough. I am concerned about xenia in such situations...I'd find it out.

I actually have a taboo against eating food others have prayed over, so I'd only have a problem if it was one of those freaky "this food represents the body of christ" thing.

And, yes, I've watched freaky Christians declare a turkey the body of Christ.

They weren't normal Christians.

I would sit quietly though the prayer and then continue with the meal unbothered. I am a guest in someone else's house. It would be absolutely inappropriate for me to object to his behavior in his own home. On top of which, I would take it as intended - a gesture of good will. I see no reason at all why I should be bothered or I should object.

I wouldn't do anything. It's their home, their ways, their beliefs. As a guest it would be rude of me to demand that they change things around for me or start a religious debate. I might respectfully bow my head and not say anything, same as I do in other situations like this.

Do what I always do, bow my head and say my own prayer in my head. It never hurts to be polite. There is no reason to start THAT conversation over dinner. Those can end up in a big fight.

I would honor frith and not say anything. It's their food, their God can bless it. It's not like it's going to catch my innards on fire because I'm not a Christian.

I will even bow my head respectfully, though I wouldn't repeat "Amen" or anything. They are showing my hospitality in their home, I would return the respect.

They clearly mean well, so there's no sense taking any

offense... when a Christian says something like "god

bless you" it's their way of being nice... so it's not right

to go off on them for that. Try to understand what they

mean and respond accordingly.

Then, if you tell them you're Pagan and they say you

suck, flip the table over and burn their house down.