In the four gospels, Jesus gave thanks to the Father in Heaven. These are in Matthew 11:25, 15:36, 26:27; Mark 8:6, 14:23; Luke 10:21; and John 11:41. Other stories of thanksgiving in the gospels are those of the old prophetess Anna when Jesus was presented at the temple (Luke 2:38) and the only one of ten Samaritan lepers who Jesus healed (Luke 17:16).
It seems that Jesus is not obliging us to give thanks but He showed us the example of who we have to give thanks to. Maybe, He was telling us to learn to give thanks, like, for example, when we partake of our meals everyday and not just ask and ask..
Update:To advait0 – I am glad you did. The religions you cited may be worshipping one or more deities. Who do you think is the true God? There must only be one true God and the others are false gods. Could you give thanks to Him as well for the life that He gave you?
To John F – When you say ‘Thank god’, are you sincere? Or as you said, “force of habit”? It the thanking for the true God or for any god.
To CHEESUS GROYST – To whom do you give thanks?
Answers & Comments
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I give thanks to God, the Creator. The Divine Spirit that is honored and felt by almost all religions from Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Islam, Sikhism and many others.
It's always good to give thanks, do you give thanks to openly homosexual Alan Turing who's research into code breaking helped the allies to beat the Nazi's and who's research into electronics helped develop the computer you are using to ask this question?
He was horribly tortured by the authorities for being gay despite his contributions to science and he was forced to have both electric shock treatment and hormone therapy that made him grow breasts...it drove him to commit suicide.