"National Day of Prayer -- Let's Make it Inclusive and Interfaith"

[UnrepentantUnitarian]

To all my DU friends: There's a new Facebook group that's just been created to offer an alternative voice in regard to the government-sponsored "National Day of Prayer." We seek to spread the message that this annual observance (May 7) -- which is spearheaded by right-wing fundamentalists -- ABSOLUTELY MUST become more inclusive and interfaith in its spirit and makeup, OR should be scrapped altogether (at least the government-sponsored part). The groups "Interfaith Alliance" and "Jews on First" (re. first amendment) have already sent a letter to President Obama calling for such changes, and there's a link to their letter at our group.

If you agree with us on this, and wish to support our new Facebook group, you are certainly welcome to join us. Here's the link;

http://www.facebook.com/groups.php?ref=sb#/group.php?gid=113698080224

Ron

[Sinistrous]

1. Inclusivity is not relevant.

This meeting should be scrapped.

[cosmik debris]

2. It doesn't make sense to me.

The right wing fundies want to impose their religion on the nation.

And instead of saying "No, don't do that" you say "We want to play too!"

I don't want your religion or anybody else's.

We are a secular nation, not a religious nation.

The idea of a National Day Of Prayer cannot be inclusive when it is designed to exclude 15% of the population.

[elshiva]

11. +1

[piratefish08]

3. Start a movement to DESTROY government sponsorship of ANY religious group or event

and I am IN!

[BurtWorm]

4. What is the real purpose of a 'National Prayer Day?'

he asked suspiciously. What is it supposed to accomplish?

[Jokerman]

5. How about a "National Day of Masturbation".

I mean, if you're not going to use those hands to do something productive, you may as well make yourself feel a little better.

[elshiva]

12. Don't worry that's already covered. It's coming, May 28th.

Actually May is Masturbation Month.
http://www.flashnews.com/news/wfn1050523J7930.html

[dmallind]

6. So we need to worry about Jews (1%) but not non-prayers (10%+)?

Inclusivity is just lipstick on a gangrenous stinking infected pig that is this unconstitutional abomination among many.

[frogmarch]

16. That was the most

beautiful sentence I've read in a long time, and I happen to agree wholeheartedly with it. :thumbsup:

[laconicsax]

7. A national day of prayer is inherently exclusive and flagrantly unconstitutional

[kwassa]

8. you are talking to a bunch of atheists

though I find it surprising that as a Unitarian you are talking about prayer. Who do Unitarians pray to, and what do they pray for?

I would ignore most of the replies on this thread, but hey, that's just me.

[Evoman]

9. You think that a national day of prayer is a good idea?

Why?

[kwassa]

10. well, it doesn't ring my bell, but I don't have a problem with it.

Prayer is a good thing. Doing it as a mass event, though, not so much.

on edit, I went to the website, and this event is pretty repulsive. It is praying for a conservative Christian America.

read this piece of swill: (under education part of the site)

http://www.ndptf.org/7x7/index_2546.cfm

Today's schools are a far cry from those early classrooms. The influence of postmodern thought has left its mark on twenty-first-century education, introducing concepts such as pluralism, "tolerance," and the rejection of absolute truth. While the textbooks used in colonial days promoted a faith-based worldview, today's curricula are replete with materials that accept ­ and, in some cases, even condone ­ immoral activities and lifestyles. Meanwhile, revisionist teachings about our country's founding remove any reference to the Christian underpinnings that have long set our nation apart and helped it thrive.

[Why Syzygy]

13. I've never liked it.

It first came to my attention when Reagan made it a big deal. RONNIE REAGAN! He who hates the sick and poor.
Not my idea of a prayer partner.

The National Day of Prayer is a vital part of our heritage. Since the first call to prayer in 1775, when the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a nation, the call to prayer has continued through our history, including President Lincoln's proclamation of a day of "humiliation, fasting, and prayer" in 1863. In 1952, a joint resolution by Congress, signed by President Truman, declared an annual, national day of prayer. In 1988, the law was amended and signed by President Reagan, permanently setting the day as the first Thursday of every May. Each year, the president signs a proclamation, encouraging all Americans to pray on this day. Last year, all 50 state governors plus the governors of several U.S. territories signed similar proclamations.
http://www.ndptf.org/schools/Index.cfm?Entity=8&Department=8&Dept_Order=1&This_TopicOrder=3&This_SubtopicOrder=1#2

[Dogmudgeon]

14. It should be called "National Day of Public Piety"

You have a good idea, but the basis of it is a bad idea. Those National Days of Prayer are inevitably command performances for politicians to kiss the fannies of religious leaders.

Prayer is fine if it's what you're into. As an atheist, I have absolutely no problem with it. To me, it's like playing XBox or Wii or skateboarding. But should we have a National Day of XBox? Even if we made it inclusive and allowed players of all other single-platform game machines?

Our REAL National Day of Prayer should be July 4th. And we could call it our National Day of Freedom of Thought.

--d!

[Calmador]

15. No

It's a great way to share our Faith in Christ. And for those don't believe... I hardly see how this day can be such a bother to the point of removing it.

[ZombieHorde]

17. What about Sunday, when many Christians go to church and pray together?

Is that not a great way to share your faith in Christ?

This day seems to be politicizing faith in Christ.