Obama Cleanses Day of Prayer of Christianity
[Obama cleanses Day of
Prayer of Christianity: 'Regardless of
religion or creed,' says proclamation by Bob
Unruh] "Tens of thousands of local events
are scheduled tomorrow to recognize the 2013
National Day of Prayer. A special observance
is scheduled from 9 a.m. until noon in the
Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill
as a focal point for the local assemblies at
churches, courthouses and other public
places.
Meanwhile, a privately sponsored National
Day of Prayer and Fasting is being planned
for Sept. 11.
Today, President Obama issued a statement
endorsing the National Day of Prayer, but he
excised virtually any reference to
Christianity, the primary faith of the
nation’s founders.
President George W. Bush’s proclamations
routinely included references to Christian
faith.
“By surrendering our lives to our loving
Father,” Bush said in his 2008 statement,
“we learn to serve His eternal purposes, and
we are strengthened, refreshed, and ready
for all that may come.”
Bush’s comments also included references to
the Bible. He cited
Psalm 28:7,
which states, “The Lord is my strength and
my shield, my heart trusts in him, and I am
helped.”
Bush also said, “According to Scripture,
‘the Lord is near to all who call upon Him.
… He also will hear their cry, and save
them.’”
Obama emulated some of those ideas in his
first proclamation, in 2009, citing the
prayers of the Continental Congress and
President Lincoln’s call for prayer during
the Civil War.
But he started turning the next year,
mentioning “God” only twice, asking for
“blessings” and “guidance.”
The closest reference to the nation’s
Christian heritage was a reference that the
U.S. “counts freedom of conscience and free
exercise of religion among its most
fundamental principles.”
By 2012, Obama’s proclamation was giving
thanks “for our democracy that respects the
beliefs and protects the religious freedom
of all people to pray, worship, or abstain.”
This year, his text includes “faith” only to
reference it as “our faith” and recognizes
“God” only for delivering liberties and
guidance. The nation’s Christian heritage is
referenced only in his statement that “the
earliest settlers prayed that they would
‘rejoice together, mourn together, labor,
and suffer together, always having before
our eyes our commission and community in the
work.”
"Regardless of religion or creed, Americans
reflect on the sacredness of life and
express their sympathy for the wounded,
offering comfort and holding up a light in
an hour of darkness,” said the president..."
Full text:
Obama cleanses
Day of Prayer of Christianity: 'Regardless
of religion or creed,' says proclamation
