Atheists, what would you have done in this situation?

Yeah, that has happened to me before. It's an uncomfortable situation for all. I think you handled it in a very positive way, and that's exactly what I've done before. You didn't insult their beliefs. In fact, you validated them by pointing out that someone else was better at the prayer than you.

Option "A" isn't appropriate for a happy family gathering and would only cause more pain. Option "C" would be the second best option, since prayer doesn't matter anyway. But you wouldn't feel good about compromising your own beliefs and deceiving your family.

Congrats for handling a tough situation well!

I'm not an atheist, but I'll just say that I think you did the right thing. Technically of course, the atheist isn't under obligation NOT to appear to pray to what he considers an imaginary being. The atheist can do whatever he pleases because there are no gods (in his milleau) to offend.

However, he may have other valid reasons for not wanting to say the prayer, and it seems to me you chose the least awkward means of dealing with the situation. For most people, resisting the duty to pray is about a reluctance in public speaking -- not at all unusual. Therefore this isn't seen as an insult to the family's religion, but merely as a regrettable timidity.

Well, it depends upon how much the idea bothers you. You were quick on your feet, but he may ask you again in the future. Even if you don't believe in God or in prayer it doesn't wreck your integrity to say a few words. I would say something like "On the family's behalf, I ask for grace and for blessings on our meal."

I'm an atheist and I love and respect everyone in my family, each of which are believers, so I would say grace. Why? Because everyone in my family are pretending that prayers are effective, so what can it hurt if I join them in pretending the same?

I would have said I don't know the grace because my memory is less than perfect. Then I would suggested that someone who does know it take the lead. Then next year if it came up I would have remembered it by now.

I am atheist from an Catholic family. We never had to pray in our family. So! The problem wouldn't happen for me.

Otherwise, everybody knows that I am atheist. So! They would avoid to give me the job to say Grace.

A

Dont see why YOU standing by what you believe in should cause anybody else a problem

He (and maybe others) either did not know beforehand you were atheist in which case its about time he found out

Or

He did know and was either trying to impose his beliefs on you, or didnt care what you beleived

In either case he needed to be put straight that you have as much right to your beliefs as he has to his

B. They already know I'm an atheist.

I'd poe them with a subtly exaggerated saying of grace.

I'd pass or just wing it. I do not always, need to be right, and there are times and places for deeper discussions