Obama rejects National Day of Prayer observance
President George W. Bush observed the National Day of Prayer all 8 years of his presidency with a public event at the White House, inviting Dr. James Dobson and wife Shirley, chairwoman, among others.
Prior to that, observances were sketchy. According to US News and World Report, President Bill Clinton did not host an event, while President George H. W. Bush did once in 1989 as did President Ronald Reagan in 1982.
So, I guess on one hand I’m not surprised President Obama has decided to take a pass this year (tomorrow, May 7), since Dr. Dobson wholeheartedly opposed Obama for president, particularly hammering him on the abortion and infanticide issues. Dobson had abortion survivor Gianna Jessen and me on his radio show to discuss Obama’s support of post-birth abortions, and Focus on the Family Action spent $500k running BornAliveTruth.org’s Gianna ad in a few states.
But I find Obama’s decision another tempt of fate, although would his depraved heart’s prayers be heard anyway, I wonder.
I’ll be interested in the Proclamation that Obama issues. Daughter Daena wrote last year’s, which I find ironic. She told me tonight it is being sued, as is Shirley Dobson, which I didn’t know.
Jill Stanek is a nurse turned speaker, columnist and blogger, a national figure in the effort to protect both preborn and postborn innocent human life.
” although would his depraved heart’s prayers be heard anyway, I wonder.”
God hears all prayers, whether you want Him to or not.
Maybe they should rename it “National Day of Silence if you choose to observe the silence at a certain time as long as you don’t observe it out loud and mention the name of Jesus or whomever” Day
Liz: maybe people should wear a T-shirt on National Day of Prayer that says something like:
“I’m praying to end abortion.” or
“I’m praying for President Obama” and then National Day of Prayer below.
That’s a good idea, angel!
It’d be sort of like National Pro Life T-Shirt Day.
Colin, yes, I know. This was meant figuratively, not literally.
Obama rejecting National Day of Prayer? *Sigh.* Why am I NOT surprised?
Not to be too picky, I hope, but the word hear can also refer to attentive listening. One of the Christian’s big blessings from prayer is the knowledge that his Father is listening to him.
“These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life. And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.” 1 John 5:13-15
The contast between President Bush and this man on the life issue and on this issue could not be more obvious.
I’m not surprised at all and in one way I think it’s a good thing as it would be quite hypocritical of him to observe it.
8And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
9And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
10And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
Revelation speaks of prayer for revenge of those that died. Abortion is an object of violence against the Word.
As Gibbs said, Obama prays in private.
Matthew 6:5-6
And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
What would Reverend Wright do?
Tom J — Jesus also said that wherever 2 or more gather in my name, I am there. There is a time for gathering together in worship and prayer and a time to be alone with our Lord.
Might I remind you all that prayer is not an exclusively Christian concept. I think Obama fundamentally understand this and I admire him for it. The Dobsons are shameless hucksters and I’m not suprised they’re squawking over this–one less opportunity for self-promotion and they know their ship is sinking fast.
Hi Boc. I’m not really sure where the idea that the national prayer day was a solely Christian thing comes from. True, Dobson was invited one year, but I thought the idea of the prayer day was for everyone who prayed to pray, not just Christians. In fact, their FAQ as quoted by wiki states
“Americans of all faiths are encouraged to participate in the [National Day of Prayer] according to their own traditions. However, the [National Day of Prayer] Task Force provides promotional materials and sponsors several events in keeping with the Judeo-Christian tradition.”
It is geared towards Christians but all are welcomed and encouraged to pray. So I don’t think Obama understands anything of a religious nature, let alone the purpose of prayer or a prayer day.
It is geared towards Christians but all are welcomed and encouraged to pray. So I don’t think Obama understands anything of a religious nature, let alone the purpose of prayer or a prayer day.
Posted by: Bobby Bambino at May 6, 2009 3:02 PM
it will be interesting to see if the Obama’s have ANY faith traditions whatsoever during their time in the White House.
It will also be interesting should the country experience some kind of calamity how he will respond – whether it will be simply a secular response or whether there will in fact, be any call to prayer.
maybe with the way things are with the economy, world events, natural disasters, ect. maybe we should pray ya think.
angel: I know they went to church for Easter, but I think it was just for “show”. I can’t see any true sincere Christianity in this man at all. Especially since he seems to have the aura of demonic influence about him. *shudders*
Bobby, angel and Liz, exactly when and how did God designate you to exercise his power to judge the religious faith of others? Did you get it in writing, like a power of attorney?
“Bobby, angel and Liz, exactly when and how did God designate you to exercise his power to judge the religious faith of others?”
It is clear that Obama doesn’t know what prayer is. I didn’t say anything about his personal faith. Just that he doesn’t know what prayer is. Read more carefully.
Bobby, like all right wing religious fanatics, you consider yourself better and holier than just about everyone else. You better hope God agrees with you. What is the verse: “judge not lest ye be judged..”?
Matthew 7:1 says, “Do not judge lest you be judged.”
Matthew 7:6 says, “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample you them under their feet and turn and tear you to pieces.”
And some unbelievers seem to be proficient at dismembering. That’s a judgement call, of course, but one based on candid observation.
Why do those that don’t profess any faith always quote the Bible out of context to us right wing religious fanatics?
Hi Carla,
“Why do those that don’t profess any faith always quote the Bible out of context to us right wing religious fanatics?”
Because it is easy – it doesn’t take any real thought. It also is a sign of moral relativism- to do what is expedient, not necessarily what is moral and good.
Hi Janet,
Ah. I see. So those that are not right wing religious fanatics may judge those who are? Got it.
I know when I can’t sleep I should be praying so that is what I am going to do right now.
God bless you, Janet!!
It is absolutely phenomenal to have a president who understands that not every citizen of America prays at all. We do not all believe in the same god or a god at all, and it’s great to not have to go through yet another day enforced by government that merely says ‘Okay, today is a day of prayer. The entire idea of National Day of Prayer is stupid and ridiculous and caters to no one but a religious right crowd of hypocrites. We finally have a president who does not force his god and the society-given god down our throats every chance he gets.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2Chronicles7:14
Why do those that don’t profess any faith always quote the Bible out of context to us right wing religious fanatics?
Posted by: Carla at May 7, 2009 2:31 AM———————- Carla, LOL! How true.
Bobby, like all right wing religious fanatics, you consider yourself better and holier than just about everyone else. You better hope God agrees with you. What is the verse: “judge not lest ye be judged..”?
Posted by: Bystander at May 6, 2009 10:25 PM————————————————————- Bystander, you’ve got it all wrong. Christians don’t think they are better than anyone. Sometimes the good lord chooses the worst person and raises him up. We are greatful to have a relationship with him.
You better hope God agrees with you?…No. We agree with God. We follow scripture. And you have passed more judgement than anyone else on this blog, Bystander.
Bystander, it’s obvious that one of 2 things is going on here. Either you want what we’ve got, or you feel really threatened by what we’ve got. I believe the first is true of you.
heather, good point, we Christians are grateful to God for sending His only Son to save us while we were still sinner.
I only wish our President expressed the same humility. His arrogance is breathtaking, we pray for his conversion every night. Someday he’ll have to face the justice of God, but I worry about how many souls he will bring down with him.
OK, Bystander, whatever. You win. You always address my points and make good, concise arguments filled with charity and concern for those with whom you disagree. I can tell you care about truth and not name-calling.
We finally have a president who does not force his god and the society-given god down our throats every chance he gets.
Posted by: Holly at May 7, 2009 7:10 AM
First of all Holly, the Nat’l Day of Prayer isn’t being forced — people are being encouraged. i think you need to read more carefully.
What disturbs me more than his refusal to participate on this day of prayer; is his request to cover all the symbols of Jesus at his address at Georgetown. Then he proceeds to quote the Son of God without even attributing the words to Him. It’s as if he replaced God with himself. It is very disturbing and creepy. As for Obama and those at Georgetown who are complicit — Jesus did say that if you deny me — I will deny you to the Father. On this National Day of Prayer, we really need to pray for those running our gov’t!
Anonymous comments will be deleted.
And when something like 911 happens, then people begin to question why God allowed these things to occur; I tell you why:
We removed prayer from schools, we have the highest abortion rate in the world, we want to remove every reference of God from all the public places, and we called Good things bad and bad things Good. But God in His sovereign ways will not force in to us His will but rather will let us make our own choices. It is evident that as a nation we decided to remove God from our lives. As a result of these choices, He is no longer present in this nation and in our lives to protect us from the one who wants to destroy us. A nation without God is a nation in serious trouble and ultimately in a path for judgment.
I pray that God will have mercy on this nation, as this could very well be the end of the many blessings we have received over the history of this nation and the beginning to the doom days ahead.
cesar, you said it all!
I believe that God is still present in our nation and in our lives. I see His hand moving. His people are calling out to Him today on this National Day of Prayer. He sees us and He hears us and His timing is perfect!!
When you good people are finished praying
on May 7th (today), you still better look both ways when you cross the street.
Ed x-Catho holic
Carla,
“I believe that God is still present in our nation and in our lives.”
I agree. But God is waiting for us as a nation to return to Him. He is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life”. Without Him, we will falter.
* * *
Holly,
“We do not all believe in the same god or a god at all, and it’s great to not have to go through yet another day enforced by government that merely says ‘Okay, today is a day of prayer.”
You’re making little sense. Columbus day is usually the second Monday in October. Do I acknowledge the day even though I’m not Italian? Yes. St. Patrick’s Day is March 17. Do non-Irish complain? I suppose you are bothered by the religious inference.
Ed Killian,
“When you good people are finished praying
on May 7th (today), you still better look both ways when you cross the street.”
Isn’t that the truth!
cesar,
The US doesn’t have the highest abortion rate.
The rate in the US is about 2 abortions for every 10 births.
In Russia there are about 13 abortions for every 10 births.
The US population grows about .5% per year.
Russian population shrinks about .5% per year.
Our population used to be about the same.
Now we are twice their size.
By mid century, we could be 4x their size.
hippie – –
Your stats are interesting, but irrtelevant.
If abortion is evil, it is evil if ONE is performed.
BUT – – why should pregnant women be forced
by law to believe “personhood” begins
at conception? We do not live in a
theocracy (yet).
X-religiholic:
Why do you feel that your unscientific religious view that the human fetus is not a person should be enshrined in law? I find that offensive to my unborn child. Why is he not considered a real person with rights? What right do you have to decide my son is worthless?
Dear YCW,
You have a right to your view,I, to mine.
A pregnant woman should make that controversial decision, not you, nor I ,
not the govt., nor theologians.
PRO-CHOICE
X-religiholic,
“You have a right to your view,I, to mine. A pregnant woman should make that controversial decision, not you, nor I , not the govt., nor theologians. PRO-CHOICE ”
Should a mother have the choice to kill her 2 year old? Not you, nor I, nor the government, nor a theologian, but the mother should be able to CHOOSE if she wishes to kill her 2 year old?
Pray to god and pray to a jug a milk. Same results. Sorry people there is no god. Prayer is wasted time.
” Pray to god and pray to a jug a milk. Same results. Sorry people there is no god. Prayer is wasted time. ”
What’s a good, rational reason to believe this?
B. Bambino – –
A fetus is not a human being because you
believe so. THAT is what the pregnant woman
is deciding
and she has the right to disagree with you,
as do many scientists in the study of
genetics.
She does not have to believe in the
“soul”. (Calling people “baby killers”
adds nothing to the debate.)
Getting back to Prayer Day, it was revealed that ONLY Christians were allowed to LEAD prayers.
In Indianapolis, only one hundred people turned up,but nationwide there were MILLIONS???
(Note to Annoymouse)————————-
It’s not the same.If the peoples of the world prayed to a jug of milk, there’d be far less killing. Unless, of course, they were raised to believe it to be consecrated milk that set them
apart from the non-milk infidels.
Ed-ward,
“A fetus is not a human being because you believe so.”
True. A fetus is a human being because science says so. It is a scientific fact that a fetus is a human being; that is, that it is a member of the species homo sapien. Here are several quotes from biology texts
“Almost all higher animals start their lives from a single cell, the fertilized ovum (zygote). … The time of fertilization represents the starting point in the life history, or ontogeny, of the individual.” (Carlson, Bruce M., Patten’s Foundations of Embryology, 6th edition. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1996, p.3.)
“The development of a human being begins with fertilization, a process by which two highly specialized cells, the spermatozoon from the male and the oocyte from the female, unite to give rise to a new organism, the zygote.” [Langman, Jan. Medical Embryology. 3rd edition. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1975, p. 3]
“Zygote. This cell, formed by the union of an ovum and a sperm (Gr. zygtos, yoked together), represents the beginning of a human being.” [Moore, Keith L. and Persaud, T.V.N. Before We Are Born: Essentials of Embryology and Birth Defects. 4th edition. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company, 1993, p. 1]
“Although human life is a continuous process, fertilization is a critical landmark because, under ordinary circumstances, a new, genetically distinct human organism is thereby formed. … The combination of 23 chromosomes present in each pronucleus results in 46 chromosomes in the zygote. Thus the diploid number is restored and the embryonic genome is formed. The embryo now exists as a genetic unity.” (O’Rahilly, Ronan and Müller, Fabiola. Human Embryology and Teratology, 2nd edition. New York: Wiley-Liss, 1996, pp. 8, 29).
“the term conception refers to the union of the male and female pronuclear elements of procreation from which a new living being develops. It is synonymous with the terms fecundation, impregnation and fertilization … The zygote thus formed represents the beginning of a new life.” (J.P. Greenhill and E.A. Freidman. Biological Principles and Modern Practice of Obstetrics. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Publishers, pages 17 and 23.)
“Fertilization is a sequence of events that begins with the contact of a sperm (spermatozoon) with a secondary oocyte (ovum) and ends with the fusion of their pronuclei (the haploid nuclei of the sperm and ovum) and the mingling of their chromosomes to form a new cell. This fertilized ovum, known as a zygote, is a large diploid cell that is the beginning, or primordium, of a human being.” [Moore, Keith L. Essentials of Human Embryology. Toronto: B.C. Decker Inc, 1988, p.2]
“Embryo: An organism in the earliest stage of development; in a man, from the time of conception to the end of the second month in the uterus.” (Dox, Ida G. et al. The Harper Collins Illustrated Medical Dictionary. New York: Harper Perennial, 1993, p. 146.
“every time a sperm cell and ovum unite, a new being is created which is alive and will continue to live unless its death is brought about by some specific condition.” (E.L. Potter, M.D., and J.M. Craig, M.D. Pathology of the Fetus and the Infant (3rd Edition). Chicago: Year Book Medical Publishers, 1975, page vii.)
“Embryo: The developing individual between the union of the germ cells and the completion of the organs which characterize its body when it becomes a separate organism…. At the moment the sperm cell of the human male meets the ovum of the female and the union results in a fertilized ovum (zygote), a new life has begun…. The term embryo covers the several stages of early development from conception to the ninth or tenth week of life.” [Considine, Douglas (ed.). Van Nostrand’s Scientific Encyclopedia. 5th edition. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, 1976, p. 943]
“THAT is what the pregnant woman is deciding and she has the right to disagree with you”
Yes, which is why your original argument about CHOICE was question begging. It assumed the very thing you were trying to prove which is that the unborn is not a human being. That was all I was pointing out.
“…as do many scientists in the study of genetics.”
You will find nothing in the scientific literature that says that the fetus is anything but a human being. Furthermore, I’m not quite sure why you mention geneticists…
“She does not have to believe in the “soul”.”
This is a straw man, Ed. I have never seen a pro-lifer argue that the fetus has a soul, therefore it has a right to life. In fact, I wonder if you could use that argument against this group http://godlessprolifers.org/home.html . Every single argument that I put forth against abortion is scientific and philosophical in nature. I never argue using religion, and hence any mention of me saying something about a soul is a straw man.
“(Calling people “baby killers” adds nothing to the debate.) ”
Again, I never did nor said anything close to that, and I’m not sure where you’re getting this from.
B. Bambino
You’ve learned your lessons well.
– – – – –
Mirriam-Webster online:
fetus – -a DEVELOPING human from two months
after conception to birth.
Since when is the formative period of a developing plant,animal, or manufactured item,
the same as the finished product?
Is a chassis a car? Is a small plant a
sequoia tree? Is an egg a chicken?
Can a fetus live successfully in a human environment before it is physically ready?
You might as well try to get a consensus
on when yellow becomes green on a color spectrum
fetus – -a DEVELOPING human
———————————————-
(Your omparing abortion to killing a two-year old child
comes pretty close to the “baby killer” routine. You’ve never heard that expression used
by the anti-choice zealots?)
X-religiholic (AKA X-Cathoholic)
OK good, Ed. So I think what you meant to say is that it is not a human PERSON. Currently in the debate, that it the distinction that pro-choicers make.
“Since when is the formative period of a developing plant,animal, or manufactured item, the same as the finished product? Is a chassis a car?”
Here you are calling a human being a product. You are thinking of it as something to be owned or used rather than a being with intrinsic value in-and-of-itself. I would ask you when is a human being “done” and how do you know? In fact, my 18 month old is still developing. Is she a human being or not?
“Is a small plant a sequoia tree?”
Here you’re confisuing teh accidents of a being with its substance. What you’re saying is akin to asking “is a baby an adult?” “is a little boy and old man?” Of course not, but these simply describe stages of development. Life is a continuum. It is, as we noted above, a biological fact that you and I were once an embryo. An embryo is not a man, but they are both part of the larger substance of the class of human beings.
“Is an egg a chicken?”
An egg which has been fertilized, yes. Now you’re confusing biology with with simply how things look. Remember, SCIENCE says that an embryo is a human being, so this has no bearing on anything.
“Can a fetus live successfully in a human environment before it is physically ready?”
No, but I”m not sure how that takes away its humanity or right to life. Can I survive in the middle of the ocean or in outer space? No, but does that take away my right to life? The burden of proof is on you to somehow show that part of being a person entails living in a human environment before it is ready.
“Your omparing abortion to killing a two-year old child comes pretty close to the “baby killer” routine.”
Again, this was only to point out the question-beggin nature of your original argument. Ed, your above argumentation about development is exactly the kind of thinking that leads people like the chair of the ethics department at Princeton Peter Singer to openly embrace infanticide; killing babies up to 3 months after birth. If you need to be fully developed in order to be worthy of life,one is probably not safe until they are 25 years old.
You’ve jumped all around on personhood theories with random questions that do not cohere together. So give me a very succinct and systematic definition here: what is it that makes a human being a human person? What constitutes personhood?
Science says an embryo is a human being,
or “your interpretation” of science says that?
I wish you could pass your respect for science on to the creationists.
But these debastes can go on forever.
Good luck to you.(And stay within the law.)
That’s “d-e-b-a-t-e-s, sorry.
Right-o, Ed. Take care, bro. Stick around, ehh?