National Day of Prayer Slight by White House a Sign of Things to Come?
Growing Distance Between President Obama and Organized Religion
Examples of Obama's Stance on Religion & Politics
This isn't President Obama's first break with tradition where religion and politics are concerned. The first occurred during his campaign, where Obama made a very public break from the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago and its controversial pastor, Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright. The break seemed necessary, after remarks by Wright drew criticism that turned towards then Presidential-hopeful Obama.
In addition, the Obama family has yet to find a church in Washington, DC, though they did attend Easter services at a local Episcopalian Church in the city. Their search for a religious home has been watched by news outlets and conservatives, who question President Obama's ties to religion.
President Obama also drew stares when he publicly recognized those who do not believe in God or practice organized religion in his acceptance speeches during the inauguration. The comments, which drew him rave reviews among those who consider themselves atheists or agnostics, also seemed to increase the already growing distance between the president and conservative Christians in America.
The Growing Distance Between the White House & Organized Religion
With President Obama's past behavior towards religion and prayer, as well as his family's ongoing search for a church in Washington, DC, the White House's actions on the National Day of Prayer may not gain much media attention. However, it stands to be viewed as another example of President Obama distancing himself from organized religion. While President Obama's private recognition of the day has the potential to help his standing with liberals and those opposed to religious ties to the White House, it is just as likely to hurt him with conservatives and Christians, where he already struggles to gain approval.
Will the White House's attitude towards the National Day of Prayer hurt or help President Obama and his approval rating? It remains to be seen. However, curious eyes remained turned towards the president to see what his next moves concerning religion and politics are.
Sources:
FOXNews; Obama to Mark National Day of Prayer Privately; http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/05/05/obama-mark-national-day-prayer-privately/
Selma Times Journal; National Day of Prayer; http://www.selmatimesjournal.com/news/2009/may/06/national-day-prayer/
Chicago Sun-Times; Obama Attends Church, describes his faith amid false rumors; http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/obama/699995,obamachurch121607.article
Trinity United Church of Christ; http://www.trinitychicago.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23
Published by Kelly Herdrich - Featured Contributor in Health & Wellness, Travel and Lifestyle
Kelly has a bachelor's degree in elementary education, raises three young daughters, and recently returned from three years living and traveling overseas. Since beginning her freelance writing career, Kelly... View profile
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11 Comments
Post a Commentthanks for bringing this out - we're still one nation under God!
For those that are curious, the phrase "separation of church and state" does not actually appear anywhere in the Constitution. Instead, it is supposedly gleamed from a phrase in the document that notes the lack of a government sponsored/supported religion. In that regard, I don't see that a National Day of Prayer falls under that umbrella. But, that's just my opinion, and this subject has been (and will continue to be) the subject of great debate. We'll likely never know what the founding fathers meant--and it's going to come to the courts time and time again to interpret it (dollar bill, pledge of allegiance, etc).
I think it is great that Obama seems to be leaning more toward the separation of church and state idea which if im not mistaken (and i recognize i very well could be) was originally the idea according to the constitution. (its been a long time since history so i again acknowledge im speaking from a possibly outdated perspective.) Either way i believe this is how it should be. Good for Obama
I'm so glad that Obama chose not to openly celebrate it this year. I think religion is great, but I believe in separation of church and state. Many of the founding fathers were NOT religious, contrary to popular belief and there is a reason why they decided that religion has no place in government.
Reagan was the first president to have a National Day of Prayer...no other president before Reagan did. Is this prayer a Christian prayer, a Muslim prayer..or a Jewish prayer? Since I'm Jewish..I would assume we're just talking any denomination here..not a Christian religion...
Religion was the thing that brought European settlers to the Americas. Why would it have no place in government? "Separation of church and state" doesn't mean that religion doesn't affect government. It means that the government was not to mandate an official state religion.
Great article! I was pointed to it when I posted my own article reminding people to pray today. I forgot to mention Obama's slighting of the day. Thanks for doing so. Does he not know that by appeasing the relative few who don't want prayer of any kind, he's offending the masses who do?
The world is surely watching to see how this will play out.
While I do feel that our nation was founded on the principles of separation of church and state, my personal feeling is that supporting a National Day of Prayer is no different than saying "One Nation Under God". Our nation was founded by Christian men who simply wanted no govt. supported religion. And the fact is--the majority of Americans believe in a higher power. So I don't feel that a National Day of Prayer crosses that line. But it is an interesting area for debate and discussion!
I tend to agree with CJ on this issue...but I'm waiting to see what he actually does. It really is against our constitution to have a government sponsored day of prayer...in my opinion..but I'm not up for the debate. I was going to write an article on this very topic, no time to do it, may still..Good job on presenting this information