President Obama fails to Thank the Lord in Thanksgiving Proclamation
By bobmnu
@bobmnu (8157)
United States
November 28, 2011 12:32am CST
It seems that many people are upset with the President for failing to thank the Lord in his annual Thanksgiving Radio Message.
http://www.newsmax.com/InsideCover/obama-omits-god-thanksgiving/2011/11/25/id/419076?s=al&promo_code=D973-1
President Obama did mention God in each of his three Thanksgiving Proclamation. What few people know is that in 1969 President Nixon issued a Thanksgiving Proclamation and did not thank the Lord or ask the American people to express their thanks to a higher being.
http://www.pilgrimhall.org/ThanxProc1960.htm
Over the years since George Washington issued the first Presidential asking the American people to give thanks for all that the lord has provided to them and this new country, to Presidents who use it to make a political statement. It is troubling when a President uses Holiday for political reasons. Do you think President Obama crossed the line with his Thanksgiving Proclamation or his radio address?
3 people like this
12 responses
@HawaiiGopher (1009)
• Belgium
28 Nov 11
Who cares? This is a non-issue picked up because it was a slow news week. I doubt Americans honestly need a President to remind them to "thank God."
2 people like this
@Latrivia (2878)
• United States
28 Nov 11
I know that this comes as a shock to some Christians in America, but there are people in this country who aren't Christian. Even more shockingly, not everyone believes the good things in their life are handed to them on a silver platter by an omni-potent being.
That said, the holidays are supposed to be about family and friends. Can we, for once in our insignificant existence, stop crapping all over the holidays with outrage over inconsequential and meaningless slights?
1 person likes this
@dark_joev (3034)
• United States
29 Nov 11
Failing would require God to of been in their and I can tell you it doesn't seem like he made any mistake so their was no failure here and when isn't a politician campaigning?
He was speaking that is pretty much enough to know he is speaking also is their much we can be thankful for as far as an entire nation goes. I guess we can thank that the unemployment at least as reported isn't in the 20% range and that we don't look like Greece and the rest of the EU.
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (49528)
• Mojave, California
28 Nov 11
I think we have bigger problems to deal with than this.
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (49528)
• Mojave, California
29 Nov 11
Maybe so, but I see a whole slew of people who are America's problem dear. Anyone who thinks not thanking the lord in public is a big deal, is part of America's problem too. Not even your God is going to save you from the mess we are in.
1 person likes this
@Mashnn (4501)
•
28 Nov 11
Depending on how you interpret it, I think we need not to be told by anyone that we should thank God. For Obama not thanking God, it is solely his own problem. If he thinks he has nothing to be greatful about, then we should not judge him. God relationship with human is entirely individual. It is always our choice to decide how we relate with HIM.
@owlwings (43910)
• Cambridge, England
28 Nov 11
It was a good but rather bland speech. I think that Obama was wise to stress what one should be thankful for and not to impose any suggestion of who one should be thankful to. By doing so, he implicitly recognises that not all Americans are Christians or Jews or Muslims or, indeed, anything and it shows that, whatever your belief, it is possible and right to give thanks.
If he had referred to God in any way there would have been just as many people crawling out of the woodwork to criticise him. It seems to be just in the nature of the world today that, whoever one's leaders are and whatever they say, it is OK for someone to try to criticise them and tear them down.
No, I don't think that the President crossed any lines. I think that he was very careful not to. It is only the people with Bibles in one hand and chalk in the other who choose to draw lines after the event who claim that he crossed any.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
28 Nov 11
Earlier today was the first I'd heard of this "controversy" and quite frankly I think it's a silly non-issue. Thanksgiving is NOT a religious holiday and people actually CAN be "thankful" for what they and their loved ones have without having to thank the Lord. That's not to say they shouldn't or that I don't personally believe in going so but I've honestly never paid attention one way or the other whether or not any particular President did so in his Thanksgiving Proclamation. What's next - making the pardoned turkeys thank God?
Annie
1 person likes this
@clrumfelt (5490)
• United States
30 Nov 11
Whether or not someone publicly thanks the Lord is a matter of the heart. Maybe it was sort of tacky to recognize a national holiday specifically set aside for giving thanks to God without actually doing it, but I think maybe more than crossing the line, it gives us another view into his heart.
@matersfish (6306)
• United States
28 Nov 11
Whether he thanked a god or didn't, I couldn't care either way.
Well, scratch that. I'm happier when people in these positions don't go around giving big-ups to their particular god over every little thing.
I'm not religious and find it refreshing that some people can speak without bringing their god into every speech. I have literally stopped watching award shows due to the "I'd like to thank my lord and savior..." line.
Violent movies, dirty, unruly lyrics, general devilish ideals - but let me give a shout-out to god for giving me some mantle fodder, yo!
And as much as I respect Tim Tebow, his speeches serve as a great opportunity to channel surf.
I can't say that religious talk offends me. I'd just rather not hear it all the time. So I'll change the channel or walk away or refuse to listen, etc, if people are on their blessed wagons. So, in all honesty, I wish our politicians weren't religious in the first place. I'd love to have someone who represents my interests.
@RobtheRock (2433)
• United States
29 Nov 11
Although I don't agree with you a lot, I have to give you props for this statement "Violent movies, dirty, unruly lyrics, general devilish ideals - but let me give a shout-out to god for giving me some mantle fodder, yo!" because you are right. While I personally believe those religious folk with talent and who win awards should give praise to God, there is some hypocrisy in the actions of many of them.
@marie2052 (3691)
• United States
30 Nov 11
I guess my thoughts view on the historic making of the beginning of our country the U.S. I was always taught to respect my elders and respect to country and God.
Our forefathers worked hard to see a vision of each of us here today.
Religion paid a very dear price through all the years once we stepped on this land.
I think out of respect to these men and women and the foundations that belief began on, President Obama regardless what his personal beliefs are, he is the Commander in Chief and he should have addressed the heritage of the nation with the blessings of God at Thanksgiving.
It would not have been much to ask of him to show respect back to the American heritage.