'Gratitude is really an expression of love'
11/25/04
By MELISSA EVANS
NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
In any religion, giving thanks an important virtue

The first words of a Jewish prayer spoken each morning are "modeh ani," meaning "thank you" in Hebrew.

One of the pillars of the Muslim faith requires giving with gratitude 2.5 percent of one's income, known as "zakah."

And the Christian "Lord's Acre" festival marks a tradition when farmers donated a portion of their crops to thank God for their bounty.

Religions may differ in theology, but few disagree on the importance of gratitude. It is a virtue that cuts to the heart of what it means to lead a righteous life, many say.

"Gratitude is really an expression of love," said Hymon Johnson, who leads the local chapter of Society of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, an interfaith group that incorporates elements of all religions into its practice. "It sets the tone for the disposition that we hold toward all life."

Because of its universal themes, Thanksgiving is a common occasion for religious groups to come together for interfaith services when rituals of gratitude are shared and celebrated. No such services are planned this year in Santa Barbara, although a small group of students gathered Wednesday night at UCSB to share a meal and discuss their individual religious traditions of giving thanks.

Gratitude is certainly one subject they can agree is important, said Ardalan Samandani, one of the group leaders who is Baha'i.

"It's important in all of our writings," he said.

Part of the program Wednesday included readings from world scriptures that dealt with the significance of food in each faith, and of course, a meal to share.

Thanksgiving in the United States is most closely associated with the country's first settlers, the pilgrims. Elements of their autumn ritual of giving thanks are linked to the Jewish observance of Sukkot, a weeklong festival commemorating the Jews' wandering in the desert that ended with God delivering a harvest.

"The pilgrims saw themselves in many ways as the new Israelites," said Rabbi Steve Cohen of Temple B'nai B'rith. "For us, it's a wonderful holiday when we can come together from religions of every faith. (Gratitude) is a very simple expression of a very universal human value."

In Islam, gratitude is not celebrated at any one specific time of the year, but it is a way of life, said Abdur Rahman, imam of the Islamic Society of Santa Barbara. Verses in the Quran, the Muslim holy book, state clearly that those who have a grateful heart will be rewarded, he said.

In times of trial and hardship, Muslims are taught to be in a state of peace, he said. In time of prosperity, one is to be grateful.

"You are always in one of those two states," he said.

Charity is also an important expression of gratitude, Iman Rahman said. Muslims throughout the world expressed their gratitude with giving and sacrifice during the holy month of Ramadan, which ended in mid-November.

Fall is also the time of year when Christian churches are busy with charitable causes, preparing community Thanksgiving meals and donating time and money to help those in need. Several Christian-based groups, including the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission, Vineyard Christian Church in Goleta and the Salvation Army will serve turkey and other Thanksgiving fixings to hundreds of people today.

Giving thanks and giving back are the simplest ways of living out biblical scripture, said Eric Bradley, a captain in the Salvation Army.

"We give thanks with a grateful heart for the blessings God has given us," he said. "It's about realizing that everything we have comes from God."