Thanksgiving, unlike other holidays, has the potential to be simple. One does not "miss the point" of the Thanksgiving while sitting at a food packed table, thinking about turkeys and pilgrims. I'll admit, I feel a little guilty taking on over Santa on Jesus' birthday or stuffing myself with Cadbury Eggs and Peeps on the day of his resurrection. For this and many other reasons, I am thankful.
I am thankful for my family, friends, and all the good things I am blessed with, but there is one aspect of my life for which I am particularly thankful. I am thankful to have the choice to worship... or not. Being raised in a conservative Southern Baptist family, I am thankful for those values which were instilled in me. On the flip side of that, I enjoy the choice to believe those values and draw from other religions as well. Personally, I am a Baptist who thinks Buddhism has perks and believes the principles of the Islamic faith are worthy. Where else could I even think that out loud, but in the United States of America? Though we complain about many of our nations policies, for this one, we should all be thankful. Although the U.S. is 85% Christian, we also have the freedom to be nine percent Atheist, two tenths percent Hindu, and the largest Jewish nation in the world (www.adherents.com). We are not forced into one national religion and are even encouraged to explore our own decisions regarding faith.
Baptist, Buddhist, believer or not- you should be thankful for this right, this freedom, to worship... or not as you wish.