A rumor flying around the Internet claims that President Obama has cancelled the 2010 National Day of Prayer, scheduled for May 6. The rumor is false. The truth is that President Obama has not cancelled the National Day of Prayer.
However, unlike former President George W. Bush, President Barack Obama will not celebrate the day with a a prayer service in the east room of the White House.
The first National Prayer Day proclamation was signed into existence by President Truman. President Reagan made it a permanent occasion via a 1988 Act of Congress setting the observance on the first Thursday of every May,
Under President G.W. Bush, the day became a cynical political event, exploiting religion to further Republican politics.
The "National Day of Prayer 2010 cancelled" rumors take many forms, both pro and con. The following is a sample of rumors taken from Facebook via David Emery's Urban Legends Blog:
President Obama decided that there will no longer be a "National Day of Prayer" held in May. He doesn't want to offend anyone. Where was his concern about offending Christians last January when he allowed the Muslims to hold a day of prayer on the capitol grounds. As an American Christian "I am offended." if you agree, copy and paste ... See Moreno matter what religion you are. This country was built on freedom!
Obama cancelled the National Day of Prayer 2010. Well done Obama, well done.
Oh Our wonderful president is at it again .... he has cancelled the national day of prayer that is held at the white house every year .... sure glad I wasn't fooled into voting for him!
Wow! Last year around the time of the National Day of Prayer, Obama stated that the United States is not a Christian Nation and this year He has officially cancelled the National Day of Prayer.
According to Emery, Neither Obama nor any other White House entity stated that it was canceled so as "not to offend anybody."
The U.S. National Day of Prayer will take place as usual on May 6, 2010. The only real difference is that President Obama, unlike former President Bush, will not use the occasion to try and score cheap political points through a ceremony that really has no business being associated with the federal government.
For interested Oregonians, follow the link for information on the Oregon State National Day of Prayer
Comments
Bravo...no White House celebration...separation of church and state....ring a bell with anybody with half a brain?
Really doucherocket.. you are gonna LIE in a news article Thanks for proving the theory that ALL SOCIALIST/LIBERALS ARE STILL TRYING TO SPELL GED BECAUSE ITS ALL THE EDUCATION THEY HAVE.. Obama( and his 670 SAT) has FAILED at EVERY turn and is UNIVERSALLY CONSIDERED THE WORST AND WEAKEST LEADER in the ENTIRE HISTORY OF MAN... Now crawl back under your rock and wait for your welfare check and food stamps you phukking LOSER MORON
Unlike a Christian president like President Bush, Obama (I do not use Mr. or President as both are terms of respect and I do not respect Obama)chooses not to "offend" what I believe to be his Muslim (extremist) brothers! Should not I be offended that he allowed Muslim cermonies on the White House lawn??????????? That act offended ME and I am a born again Christian-unlike Obama who uses "his" office for everything that is against our American principles, our Constitution and our Bill of Rights!!!!
Hogwash---Prayer in the White House has nothing to do with separation of church and state. This country was born and built on Christian fundamentals and freedom of religion. If the Pres wants to hold prayer services for himself and staff that is a priveledge. At this time in this corrupt and vial world we are living in a little Godliness is much needed.
A friend of mine who is not an Obama supporter, says he prays every night that Obama will be the best president we have ever had. Think about it. Prayer can never hurt and sometimes it is all we have.
When church and state are seperated,- It is said that divided we fall, Wait til you grow up and you will understand that we all call upon God when we are dying or injured. Prayer will always be in schools as long as there are tests. Maybe Huesan Obama
should be calling on his creator......Its never too late
How can you state that you are a born again Christian, when all thats spewing out of you is hatred and racism. God be with President/Mr. OBAMA from HATERS like you.
I find your article offensive and full crap. I guess you don't have any "real news" to report ---- Prayer doesn't cost anyone or our government one dime - I guess that doesn't make you feel good - you probably support all the "give away" programs that are costing this country billions of dollars. You better pray you keep your job!
the author of this article is an idiot. to say that there should be separation when in fact the very nation is rooted in prayer. check your history. don't just assume you know.
hmmm, sounds like Obama had it right on the money, separating church from state. Its not like religion is soo splendid examples like catholic priest touching boys, christians judging other religions and profiting from wars like Iraq, extremist muslims blowing up planes and acting like fools. Sounds like Obama has it right.... keep religion in the church/temple/mosque so forth and out of day to day lives of people who dont exactly follow your set of religious beliefs.
Another "media" report to try to defend our narsistic leader. I was very offended that he allowed Muslims to hold a prayer day at the White House. This report that Bush only celebrated prayer day for votes is something I would expect an idiot to say. Bush was observing the day as a Christian, nothing else. Our "leader" (and I use that term loosely) is not a Christian and doesn't care one iota about our country. He is out to ruin it as fast as he can and it's working because of the idiots that voted "change". How do you like all this change so far? This writer out to be thrown into a den of lions! He's is the same cataegory as Obama.
Ppl seem to think that the National Day of Prayer is for Christians only. WRONG! I refuse to participate in this day because it allows for you to pray to ANY God you want. If nothing else...they will NOT pray in Jesus' name. Obama had nothing to do with that.
I worry for our nation's well being and it's status as a model of democracy where reasonable people may disagree but still remain respectful of one another. Futher, messages of pure hatred do nothing to further the Christian's obligation to carry out the "Great Commission".
Please,we all have something worthwhile to say; say it with reason if not respect.
.....the signs of the apocalypse are upon us all.
Be it Obama or someone else, we need God in this nation. This country was founded on the principals of Christianaity. Our fore fathers did not leave out God, they looked to God for help as we should do now. The World is in a sad state of affairs today. How is prayer going to harm us for one day a year. All the stuff we give our time to, can't we give God one day? To Politisize God is wrong. The Bible says to render to Cezar what is Cezar's, and to God what is God's. When was the last time you prayed?
Another "media" report to try to defend our narsistic leader. I was very offended that he allowed Muslims to hold a prayer day at the White House. This report that Bush only celebrated prayer day for votes is something I would expect an idiot to say. Bush was observing the day as a Christian, nothing else. Our "leader" (and I use that term loosely) is not a Christian and doesn't care one iota about our country. He is out to ruin it as fast as he can and it's working because of the idiots that voted "change". How do you like all this change so far? This writer out to be thrown into a den of lions! He's is the same cataegory as Obama.
Someone stated that our "leader is not a Christian." The honest truth is that he doesn't have to be -- that is part of why this nation is so great. I hope that those that so vehemently oppose a lack of ceremony this year were every bit as opposed when other faiths lacked representation, years prior. It seems to me hypocrisy otherwise, and at the very least, not very christian.
Put your half a brain to use. Research the true interpretation of "separation of church and state".
So Obama hasn't officailly cancelled the "cynical" National Day of Prayer. Instead he has decided to not allow it at our Nation's White House. Is that because he thinks our country, that he is always apologizing for, doesn't need God's blessings or protection anymore. I will be praying for our nation, one nation under God, as well as praying for Obama to meet the Lord and be saved. Of course, if this happens our liberal anti-American,anti-God media, as well as Hollywood will turn on him. Remeber, Jesus said if they hated Me they will hate you. Do you think the love affair that Hollywood and the media are having with this president is a coincidence? If you love America, please join with me and pray that Americans wake up and elcect men and women that believe in God, in Jesus name, amen.
PPathetic brainwashed right wingers have so much hate and time on their hands to send such garbage through the cyber waves. Sadly, the whackjobs believe anything that belittles our President. God2u not sure where you get your opinions from, but President Obama is well respected around the world.
This comments are making my head hurt. These morons posting on here are the reason that everyone around the world laughs at the United States. We've become a country full of uneducated individuals.
The problem is so many people are brainwashed by the Bible! There is more hatred in the Bible than Glenn Beck's head!
Prayer has no business being associated with our federal government!? Somebody needs a history lesson about our founding.
After reading many of these post maybe everyday needs to be "National Prayer Day". Why is there so much fear, anger and hatred? I'm not sure about you, but God did not give me the spirit of fear, anger or hatred. So many of us wake up looking for reasons to fault others. If you don't agree, do something POSITIVE to make a change, instead of just spreading these ugly emotions.
Continue to believe and trust in God....He got you this far:o)
The nation was not built on Christian principles. It was built by people who happened to be Christian who were mostly inspired by the philosophers of the French Enlightenment. Don't believe the self serving rationals your church tells you, read or take a class.
God Bless you Obama. I feel this is a huge mistake. I know I will be praying on May 6th. You still have time to wake up and do the right thing by thanking God YOUR freedom!!!
We are a democracy, if we don't like those in power, we NEED to actually VOTE and not depend on everyone else to vote thinking it is beneath us to get out and have a say. If everyone of voting status actually voted history might not be even a glimmer of what it is today.
Maybe Barrack needs to watch The Passion for Christ. See the pain that Jesus is baring for him. I guess we keep praying for Barrack without ceasing.
I don't know why I would expect anything thing less from a magazine with your title!
The Lord says to seek HIM in all things and lean not on our own understanding. You need to rethink about keeping him out of government. Our country will continue to fall apart if we don't allow Jesus to be included in our decisions.
Another "media" report to try to defend our narsistic leader. I was very offended that he allowed Muslims to hold a prayer day at the White House. This report that Bush only celebrated prayer day for votes is something I would expect an idiot to say. Bush was observing the day as a Christian, nothing else. Our "leader" (and I use that term loosely) is not a Christian and doesn't care one iota about our country. He is out to ruin it as fast as he can and it's working because of the idiots that voted "change". How do you like all this change so far? This writer out to be thrown into a den of lions! He's is the same cataegory as Obama.
Reagan & Bush were quite overt in their use of religion & prayer which goes to show me that scalawags hide behind religion to get away with their good old boys agenda; both of them did things that have devastated our country while praying & courting the zealot Christians. People who are very public about their religion seem to forget about praying in the closet rather than making a public display.
Obamama did not cancel prayer day, and zealots have taken the rumor and run with it. How long are the more holy than going to run with this one?
This country was based on judeo christian beliefs but our forefathers ie Thomas Jefferson and James Madison stated their strong beliefs in separating church from state. I feel Obama is in keeping with their views and the only people who are making this a big deal are the religiously obsessed and right wing conservatives.
*more holy than thou
"and in the last days...brother will turn against brother...."
the Bible..Revelations...and the Internet blogs...another sign
that the last days are here....just no one knows how many last days there will be...I don't need the President to pray for me..that is up to me...there will still be a Day of Prayer..and perhaps President Obama will be praying as devoutly as any of us..but it will not be in front of men..it will be between him and God...
Everyone who believes in a god, is free to pray to that god whenever pretty much any time they want. What purpose does the "National Day of Prayer" really serve? It's not going to make anyone who wouldn't otherwise have prayed, pray; nor does it give anyone a chance to pray, that they didn't have before. If you think people need to make a public display of praying, maybe you ought to review your own bible, say, Mathew chapter 6. There really is no value to the "National Day of Prayer" even in your own bible.
Put your half a brain to use. Research the true interpretation of "separation of church and state".
In 2008, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, on October 3, 2008 sued President George W. Bush, Jim Doyle, Shirley Dobson, chair, National Day of Prayer Task Force, and White House Press Secretary Dana Perino at a Madison, Wisconsin, federal court, challenging the federal law designating the National Day of Prayer. The Alliance Defense Fund (ADF), a non-profit legal organization, is defending Shirley Dobson and the National Day of Prayer Task Force free of charge against the Freedom From Religion Foundation lawsuit. In February 2009, the website SaveTheNDOP.org was launched for supporters of the National Day of Prayer to voice their opposition to the lawsuit. The Obama administration asked U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb to dismiss the case in March 2009. The administration argued the group has no legal standing to sue and that the tradition of the National Day of Prayer dated back to 1775. The suit was then amended to include President Obama and Press Secretary Gibbs.
On March 1, 2010 U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb stated that FFRF's lawsuit can proceed forward because the plantiffs had shown that they suffered "concrete injury" that can potentially be remedied by judicial action. Justice Crabb stated about those supporting the federal law designating the National Day of Prayer, "adopting [the] defendants' view of standing would allow the government to have unrestrained authority to demean members of any religious group without legal consequence.
I agree with you 100% Linda Nichols. Keep up the good preaching and maybe the blinders will come off of the Presidents eyes and he not only will see the light, but also see how much damage he has done to our Country. Our poor children and their children don't stand a chance with all the debts he has caused and how big he has made our government. Its all about Free handouts and people too lazy to work for what they want.
Sad but true!
so it doesnt appear that president obama tried to do away with the day of prayer, in fact he tried to get the judge to drop the suit against it!
So here's the thing, National Prayer Day is for all religious of this country to pray to their God(s). I am Christian and I will be praying to my God for our Pres and our country. Right now I feel this, prayer, is what we need. This action he's taking to not participate at all, no matter what his God is shows me just what kind of Pres he is. He has no beliefs of anything. How can we trust in a man who doesn't know what he believes in. And to say Prayer shouldn't be associated with the Federal Government! Again our government needs some kind of spiritual guidance right now! On May 6th I will be saying a prayer to My God for our Pres and Federal Government!
Two things, There is only a seperation of church & state in the Russian constitution. Nowhere in the constitution of the United States does it say that we are to keep God out of public places or government. It only says that government cannot intrude on the church. Also, do not believe an inbred liberal that tries to tell you that this country was not founded on christian principles. It most certainly was founded on christian principles.
Obama will probably be on his prayer rug facing east on that day!
What do expect from a closet muslim and member of a sleeper cell.."Destroy Your Enimies From Within" Think about it...
Lord, help us!
I agree with you 100% Linda Nichols. Keep up the good preaching and maybe the blinders will come off of the Presidents eyes and he not only will see the light, but also see how much damage he has done to our Country. Our poor children and their children don't stand a chance with all the debts he has caused and how big he has made our government. Its all about Free handouts and people too lazy to work for what they want.
Sad but true!
This nation was not founded on christian values, it was founded on Native American Values. We were here doing just fine until the whites came. The so called good christian s from Europe invaded our land, slaughtered most of us and tried to cram this religion bs down our throats. In my opinion the judge got it right and it is time to get rid of this superstitious nonsense once and for all. Jesus did not die for anyone's sin, he died because those Roman nailed him to a cross just like thousands of others in those days. You can try and make up some bs story to fool idiots, but the facts are the facts.
How sad when a time our government needs prayer the most, it's decided not to pray. Let's all pray for them even if they can't pray for themselves.
Let's take a close look at our closet Muslim, Pres. obama. He has more Islamic supporters pre-white house than any other US president in our history. He made a "slip-of-the-tongue" to a Liberal media reporter,obama said,"well, looking back through my Muslim...I mean, my christian roots". This was played down and never aired again except for the few Conservatives that caught him in one of many lies. Obama has made the US look weak to the whole world. Oh, and one more thing, he Always keeps hidden during any Christian Holy Days, Pray America, Pray!!!
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