Thursday, May 07, 2009

National Day of Prayer

Today is the National Day of Prayer. I have to say I really don't know what that means; such public piety has no place in a secular republic, and didn't Jesus tell us to pray in our closets where no one can see us? Oh, right that's the part of the Bible that doesn't mention killing gay folk . . .

Seriously, though this is just crazy-nuts-lying:
President Obama will sign a proclamation recognizing today as a National Day of Prayer (NDP). Notably, the President will not continue former George W. Bush’s practice of holding a “formal White House event.” In response, conservative commentators in recent days have been suggesting that Obama is in some way attempting to downplay the significance of the NDP — and faith in general.

Limbaugh went so far as to suggest that Obama was trying to “cancel” the NDP, while the National Day of Prayer Task Force issued a statement suggesting that Obama was departing from historical tradition.

So the President signs a proclamation recognizing the NDP, and the head of the Republican Party says he's canceling it.

Is it any wonder we crazy liberals say that the conservative world-view is topsy-turvy?

5 comments:

Dan Trabue said...

I was looking around and unable to find it: Does anyone know how much it costs taxpayers to "observe nationally" a Day of Prayer?

I would think that the small gov't types would think that this would be another example of gov't spending money on activities that aren't within its purview. I'm sure we don't spend much, but anytime there's an event like this, there are security details and costs of that sort.

You'd think they'd be glad that Obama is finding areas where he can cut spending!!

Alan said...

Odd that the most pious among us, Republicans, need a day set aside for prayer. Here I've been doing it every day ... what was I thinking?

Dan Trabue said...

I walked by a Day of Prayer service here in Louisville the other day. Of course, I only heard a few minutes of the program as I walked by, but I would have suspected hearing, well, praying in a DOP meeting. Instead, I heard some preaching and even a bit of politicizing.

Go figure...

Monk-in-Training said...

um.. didn't Jesus tell us to go into our rooms and close the door when we pray, and not do it on the street corners...?

just sayin

Rich H said...

Geoffrey,

I know you don't get cable, and you like Jon Stewart. Well, I don't know if you like Colbert, but you might enjoy his over-the-top take on the National Day of Prayer.

Enjoy.

Virtual Tin Cup

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