National Prayer Day
* I am an atheist. I’ve always been; my parents are not religious, and I was not raised with any particular religion. However, I have participated in many religious events. I have many friends, some very close, who are Christians, Catholics, Jewish, Hindu, & Buddhist (although, I feel that the latter two are more a way of life or philosophy).
Ronald Reagan decided that the first Thursday in May would be National Prayer Day (NPD), so today is National Prayer Day. The question that so needs to be answered in light of this day is: Why does the United States of America even have a National Prayer Day? Isn’t there supposed to be a separation between state and church? Isn’t that one reason why the First Amendment is so important? Thomas Jefferson wrote that the government had no direct authority over the religious practices of the American people. So why has our government created a National Prayer Day?!
In today’s Washington Times, President Obama was criticized by several Christian organizations for not publicly observing or celebrating NPD. Instead, he chose to observe the day in private, as religion is a private issue. The Concerned Women for America said that the president should “put aside his own lack of faith, and live up to the office.” Someone tell her that he IS doing that! He is keeping his personal beliefs separate from what he needs to do as president.
It is also ridiculous that Shirley Dobson, chairwoman of the National Prayer Day Committee, should object to Obama’s personal decisions when she would not allow Mormons to hold religious services on NPD in 2004. It seems that what Dobson truly objects to is the missed opportunity to hang with the president. If Dobson, and other religious organizations, are so gung-ho about celebrating this day of prayer, then all people of all religions should be able to pray as they wish. No one religion should determine who gets to participate and who does not. Additionally, no one should have to pray either. No religion or person should condemn nor direct any individual’s or group’s religious activities.
I have serious issues with these Christians who object to Oabama’s statement that the US is not a Christian nation. In my opinion, we are not. He was absolutely correct in stating that the United States is not a Christian nation because we DO NOT have a national religion.  We are a nation of different cultures, languages, and religions. Rather, he is stating what is true; we are a nation of many religions. Why is that wrong? Why can’t we acknowledge that there are other religions? What is wrong with these Christians who say stupid things in public that reflect on their religion? Do they realize that it is the stupid sqaubbles that cause wars?!
I also take issue with these leaders of the Christian Churches who decide who may or may not attend service, receive communion, etc. Since when did they become dictators? Is Christianity a religion that excludes people who don’t follow their “rules” to the t? If so, then most people are not truly Christians, and this is truly not a Christian nation. Also, these leaders need to look within their own organizations, and deny all religious services to their own priests and archibishops. Hypocrites.