Michelle: Why isn’t Obama celebrating the National Day of Prayer publicly?
posted at 8:26 pm on May 7, 2009 by Allahpundit
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Oh, I think we all know why. He’s saving the big revelations for his second term, when it’s politically safe: The middle-class tax hike; the fact that he secretly supports gay marriage; and, most historically of all, his declaration of atheism. I expect to be invited to the presser. Partisanship should have no hold on such a glorious occasion.
I find it hard to believe that people care much about this, seeing as how it apparently involves counting how many times he mentioned God in his proclamation, but the boss has him dead to rights about how ostentatious his displays of devotion on the campaign trail were. This is a guy, after all, who used to open his events with hosannas as ham-handed as “Look at the day the Lord has made.” I’d like to see Chris Matthews grill him on the nexus of Darwinian evolution and creationism.
Credit MM with courage for bringing up atheists in front of Gretchen, though. Last time, it didn’t go so well.
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Um, because it would be weird to talk to himself?
battleoflepanto1571 on May 7, 2009 at 8:29 PM
But would you go?
BadgerHawk on May 7, 2009 at 8:29 PM
He’s praying in private.
Toward the east.
Because that’s where he’s mounted his full-length mirror.
Daggett on May 7, 2009 at 8:29 PM
He can’t read TOTUS with his head bowed and eyes closed.
Christien on May 7, 2009 at 8:31 PM
Because he already preys fifteen times each and every day facing Mecca.
/
carbon_footprint on May 7, 2009 at 8:31 PM
Saying “God damn America” on National Day of Prayer in public would be, well, awkward.
SouthernGent on May 7, 2009 at 8:32 PM
Why does it matter? Seriously. Who cares what anyone’s religious positions are? I have serious problems with his economic and “role of government” positions, I don’t need to go criticizing anyone’s religious practices, too.
crosspatch on May 7, 2009 at 8:32 PM
Because he already prays fifteen times each and every day facing Mecca.
/sarc
Or he preys upon our liberties.
carbon_footprint on May 7, 2009 at 8:32 PM
He can’t read TOTUS with his head bowed and eyes closed.
Christien on May 7, 2009 at 8:32 PM
He can’t read TOTUS with his head bowed and eyes closed.
Christien on May 7, 2009 at 8:33 PM
Did Reverend Wright help him pray to Allah?
Upstater85 on May 7, 2009 at 8:33 PM
But is Barry planning to fly home to Hawaii to help them celebrate Islam Day? It would be a great opportunity for him to expand on his recent assertion that Islam has made many great contributions to shaping our nation. Some of us are still waiting to hear just exactly what those great contributions are . . . .
AZCoyote on May 7, 2009 at 8:34 PM
Plus, I’ve heard TOTUS is agnostic.
Upstater85 on May 7, 2009 at 8:34 PM
BO is an irreligious man who is skating a thin line between the overwhelmingly religious nation he leads (blecch!) and the big-money atheists who put him there. What a sad excuse for a person.
MochaLite on May 7, 2009 at 8:34 PM
Because he’s not religious???
Meh.
ernesto on May 7, 2009 at 8:35 PM
Yeah, I think you got it there.
The Obamas are a family that preys.
Upstater85 on May 7, 2009 at 8:35 PM
Then… that would make him a liar…
Upstater85 on May 7, 2009 at 8:35 PM
Might be afraid of that bolt of lightning.
faol on May 7, 2009 at 8:36 PM
Why can’t Barry just admit he is agnostic? His sycophantic worshippers won’t care.
Speedwagon82 on May 7, 2009 at 8:36 PM
I agree with ernesto for once. I don’t think Obama is the least bit religious.
This of course means he’s a manipulating liar for faking his way through being a Christian and whatnot, but he is a politician after all.
forest on May 7, 2009 at 8:37 PM
I’d be refreshed by the honesty.
Upstater85 on May 7, 2009 at 8:37 PM
Sorry for echoing you there Upstater.
forest on May 7, 2009 at 8:38 PM
He would be totally scared.
radiofreevillage on May 7, 2009 at 8:39 PM
Sorry, perhaps instead of honesty I meant transparency…
Upstater85 on May 7, 2009 at 8:39 PM
Hey, it needs to be pointed out :)
Upstater85 on May 7, 2009 at 8:39 PM
T think that Obama is probably too into Himself to even ponder matters religious one way or the other.
MB4 on May 7, 2009 at 8:40 PM
Bec ause Rev. Jeremiah Wrong wasn’t available.
jgapinoy on May 7, 2009 at 8:40 PM
Fixed.
jgapinoy on May 7, 2009 at 8:41 PM
Surprise!!!!
The man doesn’t have a religious bone in his body…..
which should make Allah one happy dude.
Knucklehead on May 7, 2009 at 8:42 PM
Barry’s already claimed he’s a devout Christian. He can’t admit the truth now without also admitting he’s been lying about himself for years. And doing that might cause people to wonder what other lies he’s been telling about himself . . . .
AZCoyote on May 7, 2009 at 8:42 PM
Crosspatch said: “I don’t need to go criticizing anyone’s religious practices, too.”
This is not about his private religious practices. It’s about his refusing to participate in a tradition, public prayer for our country, that presidents have observed since our founding, codified for the past 60 years in the National Day of Prayer.
This is like when he refused to put his hand over his heart for the national anthem. The president’s public actions speak loudly of what our nation values, and BO has just dissed the value of public prayer. BO is our first effectively atheist president.
Thanks, dimwits who voted for him!
MochaLite on May 7, 2009 at 8:44 PM
I think he didn’t do it because in his twisted pea-brain arrogant mind, he thinks it would make him look like he was following in Bush’s footsteps.
sherry on May 7, 2009 at 8:44 PM
His bowing before the high muckety-muck and keeper of the secret meccan flame leads me to think he flirting at least.
JiangxiDad on May 7, 2009 at 8:44 PM
radiofreevillage on May 7, 2009 at 8:47 PM
How does Mrs. Malkin get so many different backgrounds behind her? Surely she can’t be travelling that much?
SouthernGent on May 7, 2009 at 8:48 PM
This is so stupid and boring.
If people wonder why the GOP is close to driving off of the cliff, look no further …
Why is everything always a cultural battle with the GOP? Really, who cares if 15% of the population hasn’t declared faith? What is it to you?
Why can’t you focus on things that can have a tangible impact on people’s lives (their money and jobs) and leave the decisions of faith to the people?
ckoeber on May 7, 2009 at 8:49 PM
You mean the Camel King? In Arabia, sons often greet their fathers with a bow ///sarc
Upstater85 on May 7, 2009 at 8:49 PM
I think you’d be more at home at the Nancy Tolerates Torture thread…
Upstater85 on May 7, 2009 at 8:49 PM
Forgive me for appropriately expressing my utter shock at a politician who’s lied. Though, my general distaste for christian sensibilities makes this an easier lie to brush off than others.
And I still call priests “father” when conversating. Doesn’t make me religious. The reasonable conclusion is that Obama is not religious…not that he’s secretly a religious muslim.
ernesto on May 7, 2009 at 8:50 PM
Leave Obama alone… my favorite part of the Gospels(pocket gideon NT given by some evangelist on campus) was where jesus says not to pray in public like the hypocrites…
ninjapirate on May 7, 2009 at 8:50 PM
I guess all those years in Rev. Wright’s church and all those he visited during the campaign where just shows to fool the religious. Who would have guessed?
Cindy Munford on May 7, 2009 at 8:50 PM
This post gives amusing insight into AP’s fantasy life. Be sure to pet the unicorns.
Right_of_Attila on May 7, 2009 at 8:50 PM
Drat!!! Beat me to it!
Sanjoboy on May 7, 2009 at 8:51 PM
Oh, yeah, I’m sure that was his motivation.
(gag, puke)
Daggett on May 7, 2009 at 8:52 PM
He didn’t do it because he is a man with no conviction. Probably had polls on wether he should or not.
Wishy washy squared to the umpteenth power.
iceman1960 on May 7, 2009 at 8:53 PM
But he has declared faith, on every occasion when it was politically expedient to do so.
I personally don’t care what his religion is, or if he has none at all. I’d just like him to be honest about it.
Missy on May 7, 2009 at 8:54 PM
You proved my point. Nothing to say other than go away. Creative.
ckoeber on May 7, 2009 at 8:54 PM
Look back in history at all of the dictators that have used their alleged religion to win the hearts of the masses…
Upstater85 on May 7, 2009 at 8:55 PM
Well, actually, I didn’t say go away. I was merely making a suggestion. Further, I think that thread is still on Hot Air… maybe they are in different realities though…
Upstater85 on May 7, 2009 at 8:56 PM
At what point has he contradicted himself from when he said he is a Christian?
Is absolute strict adherence to faith the bar you set? If so, practically every president we had would be a pagan.
ckoeber on May 7, 2009 at 8:57 PM
And Ms California is a harlot, no doubt.
Upstater85 on May 7, 2009 at 8:58 PM
Does the name Hussein ring a bell ?
redrock on May 7, 2009 at 8:58 PM
Well alleged religiosity surely didn’t win my vote, so don’t blame me :-)
And for the record, I may be the only amicable commenter here that isn’t convinced Obama is somehow more wrong or dastardly or communist than the average american president.
ernesto on May 7, 2009 at 8:59 PM
A belief that might actually wear off were you to quite drinking the kool-aid….
doriangrey on May 7, 2009 at 9:01 PM
Because the pattern is to show indifference until we reach the brink of moral bankruptcy, then step in (through others, of course) like Don Vito Corleone and ask the CEO to step down so he can run the business into extinction.
ericdijon on May 7, 2009 at 9:02 PM
Actually I’m pleased he didn’t publicly participate. Given his stance on abortion I think Obama leading a day of prayer would be somewhat of an obamination. sorry typo abomination ;)
iceman1960 on May 7, 2009 at 9:02 PM
No, you had it right the first time… ;)
doriangrey on May 7, 2009 at 9:04 PM
The more Obama uses God as a convenient prop………..
…….. the more His chickens will come home to roost.
Seven Percent Solution on May 7, 2009 at 9:04 PM
Benjamin Franklin, Speech to the Constitutional Convention, June 28, 1787:
INC on May 7, 2009 at 9:04 PM
I was merely responding to your question about “who cares if 15% haven’t declared faith?” Since the thread is about Obama, I presumed that was who you were referring to.
He hasn’t contradicted himself. He declared faith when it was advantageous to do so, and now that he’s elected, doesn’t seem all that interested anymore.
Do you have some observations you’d like to share regarding his ardent Christianity, of which we heard so much on the campaign trail, now that he’s in office? I’d love to hear them.
Missy on May 7, 2009 at 9:06 PM
I *heart* MM. She is so good.
AUINSC on May 7, 2009 at 9:07 PM
I saw this extremely ironic article last night in the Fergus Falls Journal (MN):
President Obama’s Lincoln?
The writer leads off with this:
The writer then proceeds to quote Lincoln’s proclamation calling for prayer on April 30, 1863. This is a famous proclamation and you have probably seen it before. It includes these words:
INC on May 7, 2009 at 9:07 PM
I wish he would, his religious beliefs are the ones I find most unfavorable. I’d like to think he was just faking for politics like with gay marriage, but I’m not so sure. Hopefully, he seems like an intelligent person.
jonknee on May 7, 2009 at 9:09 PM
That’s it…. Off to the William Ayer’s Memorial Re-education and Elimination Facility with you…… ;p
doriangrey on May 7, 2009 at 9:09 PM
To think otherwise would be unreasonable. Other presidents have lied, set taxes higher, redistributed more wealth, and were more naive in foreign affairs. To feel that Obama represents any sort of new more drastic deviation from the normal american pendulum swing is, in my view, just unreasonable. There may be legimiate arguments otherwise, but they require the assumption of intent taken to unreasonable levels.
ernesto on May 7, 2009 at 9:10 PM
Great job again, Michelle.
Besides being a mangy Chicago Thug, Obama is exceedingly insincere. Bottom line in my book, he’s a first class phony.
Zorro on May 7, 2009 at 9:12 PM
I know, I know, me and those right-wing extremists Founders!
INC on May 7, 2009 at 9:12 PM
You are on a roll……………
……….. “Commence firing, fire at will!!!”
Seven Percent Solution on May 7, 2009 at 9:12 PM
Dude, you clearly have drunk enough of the kool-aid to fill 1000 Olympic swimming pools…
doriangrey on May 7, 2009 at 9:12 PM
In fairness, the “Lord” he was referring to was himself.
RightWinged on May 7, 2009 at 9:13 PM
Let not your heart be troubled, the Messiah will resurrect them so that they can join you…. ;p
doriangrey on May 7, 2009 at 9:14 PM
Barry hates Jesus and queers.
But hey, that extra $15 a week SURE goes far……..
omnipotent on May 7, 2009 at 9:16 PM
But wait, there’s more!
That’s going to be great!
INC on May 7, 2009 at 9:17 PM
I ♥ Michelle Malkin.
carbon_footprint on May 7, 2009 at 9:17 PM
Yeah, but not all at once like the Child-King.
omnipotent on May 7, 2009 at 9:18 PM
Here’s FDR asking the nation to join him in prayer in a radio broadcast on June 6, 1944:
**********
My Fellow Americans:
Last night, when I spoke with you about the fall of Rome, I knew at that moment that troops of the United States and our Allies were crossing the Channel in another and greater operation. It has come to pass with success thus far.
And so, in this poignant hour, I ask you to join with me in prayer:
Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity.
Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith.
They will need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard. For the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again; and we know that by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph.
They will be sore tried, by night and by day, without rest — until the victory is won. The darkness will be rent by noise and flame. Men’s souls will be shaken with the violences of war.
For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and tolerance and goodwill among all Thy people. They yearn but for the end of battle, for their return to the haven of home.
Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom.
And for us at home — fathers, mothers, children, wives, sisters, and brothers of brave men overseas, whose thoughts and prayers are ever with them — help us, Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice.
Many people have urged that I call the nation into a single day of special prayer. But because the road is long and the desire is great, I ask that our people devote themselves in a continuance of prayer. As we rise to each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy help to our efforts.
Give us strength, too — strength in our daily tasks, to redouble the contributions we make in the physical and the material support of our armed forces.
And let our hearts be stout, to wait out the long travail, to bear sorrows that may come, to impart our courage unto our sons wheresoever they may be.
And, O Lord, give us faith. Give us faith in Thee; faith in our sons; faith in each other; faith in our united crusade. Let not the keeness of our spirit ever be dulled. Let not the impacts of temporary events, of temporal matters of but fleeting moment — let not these deter us in our unconquerable purpose.
With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogances. Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace — a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all of men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil.
Thy will be done, Almighty God.
Amen.
Franklin D. Roosevelt – June 6, 1944
INC on May 7, 2009 at 9:20 PM
No, actually no other president has ever even come close.
doriangrey on May 7, 2009 at 9:20 PM
Perfect. This is exactly why Obama chose not to celebrate national day of prayer publicly. In weighing the pros and cons, Obama has deemed it politically expedient to celebrate in private. In this way he risks nothing. Im sure there has been a poll taken somewhere to inform him if this would be the right move…
IMHO quite a number of people would agree that tangent and intangible tends to run together when it comes to their lives. People are praying daily that they get or keep their jobs,their homes, and have enough to eat. For this reason Obama should have been man enough(or leader enough) to stand for those people who feel they are in financial dire straights. This probably would not have hurt Obama politically,and potentially could have helped families from going off the deep end.Every day we are reading that some poor soul has offed himself and or his family due to the economy. Are you willing to say that prayer doesnt ever help in these situations?
canditaylor68 on May 7, 2009 at 9:20 PM
Aside from the inflation adjusted size of the federal budget, where has Obama gone all that far over par? Taxes have surely been higher before. Welfare spending too. in markets, and in global trade relations, Obama is no further left than others. other presidents have scaled down quagmire wars of choice, others have trusted the international community more.
Im not saying Obama’s doing the right things…hes just not deviating from the normal american “wrong”
ernesto on May 7, 2009 at 9:21 PM
Another made up controversey so that wingnuttia can get their hate on. Doesn’t take much these days, the right is so full of hate they can’t see straight. So all you people are without sin? Your so righteous you can judge other people? No wonder the gop is in a death spiral. Your hate only carries you so far, then it burns you out. You people are definitely in the burnout stage. I see Newt praised Obama today, on education matters, so when do you haters throw Newt under the bus? You threw Powell under the bus yesterday, do you ever get tired throwing people out of your party? Do you ever wonder what happens when you fail the litmus test? Will you people just keep eating your own? The funny part is you don’t have a clue what is happening to your party. I guess when your blinded by hate you don’t really see anything. The gop, old, white ,male, southern party. Thanks for self-destructing before my very eyes.
athensboy on May 7, 2009 at 9:21 PM
Never mind. The Jesuits have explained that conservative Catholics are entirely too partisan anyway.
That apparently isn’t an issue for liberal Catholics.
Kensington on May 7, 2009 at 9:24 PM
Dude, no one said Obama sinned. I say it was a distinct failure in his leadership and he missed an opportunity to unify the country in times of economical strife.
canditaylor68 on May 7, 2009 at 9:24 PM
Bigot-Im in my 40s, live in midwestern United States, female and navajo indian.
canditaylor68 on May 7, 2009 at 9:26 PM
Dude, use more paragraph breaks. It’s very hard to see your spittle-flecked point otherwise.
Kensington on May 7, 2009 at 9:26 PM
Don’t bother with troll. The troll thinks he is an original thinker but in fact it is all too predictable.
Jamson64 on May 7, 2009 at 9:27 PM
No they haven’t, not even remotely close. Obama has spent more than every single president in the entire history of the United States COMBINED. Thanks to Obama your personal share of that debt went from $24,000 as acquired by all the previous President to at this very second over $100,000 and by the end of his first term it will be well over one million dollars. Do you even being to understand that????
doriangrey on May 7, 2009 at 9:27 PM
Why do you bother?
Jamson64 on May 7, 2009 at 9:28 PM
Aint gonna happen. Not because it’s not possibly true but because he’s a coward.
As an evangelical, I personally prefer that he does admit he’s an atheist or not a christian. And about as much as I’m glad Specter switched parties.
shick on May 7, 2009 at 9:29 PM
Ignorance is bliss.
sandman on May 7, 2009 at 9:29 PM
I distinctly remember prefacing that comment with an admission that the on the gross deficit Obama has obviously gone farther than the norm. That alone does not warrant the incessant pining as to Obama’s tyrannical, dictatorial intents…his alleged muslim faith…or the assertion that he is somehow a communist.
That said, i understand the spending situation. I admitted that initially…you ignored me.
ernesto on May 7, 2009 at 9:31 PM
I think you’re right; surprisingly, the fact that he’s completely non-religious bothers me far less than the fact that he put on such a show all through the campaign. Obviously, he knew that openly admitting agnosticism would hurt his chances of being elected. Once again, a politician who only wants to be elected – and any method of attaining that goal is fair game.
uncivilized on May 7, 2009 at 9:33 PM
Because no matter how much kool-aid he has drunk, that bill is going to come due. And when it does I want him and all the other like him to see it coming before it hits them. And like it or not, when that bill comes due we are going to need help from the likes of ernesto to deal with it.
doriangrey on May 7, 2009 at 9:34 PM
I’ve been trying to decide how I feel about this. I think religion is a private thing–intensely private really.
What you say in public, or how you act in public can have very little to do with the depth of feeling inside about God.
The scriptures say not to stand on the street corners and pray to be seen of men to pray but rather to pray in our closets and secret places and God who sees in private will reward openly.
Group prayer is different. I’m not sure Obama reading some pretty words he wrote with his speech writers would feel like prayer to me anyway. Prayer is communication with God not the audience. It doesn’t really matter what we think, if Obama prays it is to God and not to us.
If Obama doesn’t feel it–I’d rather he didn’t fake it.
petunia on May 7, 2009 at 9:35 PM
Easy, there, dude.
Put the mouse down and back slowly away from the computer.
uncivilized on May 7, 2009 at 9:35 PM
Might I also add that I attended the NYC Tea Party for precisely the reason you spelled out.
ernesto on May 7, 2009 at 9:35 PM
The crooks in Washington have taken billions of dollars and handed it to Chrysler so they can ease into bankruptcy.. where did that money go?
Our government is propping up banks and handing the taxpayers the bill. Those same banks were ROLLING IN PROFITS for the last decade. They could have acted like responsible companies and saved or invested. While they’re giving truck loads of cash to the bankers our government is NOT bailing out the small businesses.
We’ve handed trillions (millions of millions) of dollars to the Federal Reserve and they can’t tell Congress how it’s being spent… ?
The “stress test” results were leaked out almost in game show fashion for days – where is the SEC?
I’m a Christian and all, but this “Why isn’t Obama celebrating the National Day of Prayer publicly” stuff is just a distraction from the real issues that will affect your kids and grandkids. Stay focused on the real issues – why are the same people who created this economic mess PROFITING from it instead of being prosecuted?
popularpeoplesfront on May 7, 2009 at 9:36 PM
I think many of those who voted for, and still support Obama, and based their votes on his faith, as a Christian, as he espoused. (Remember the interview with George Stephanopoulos?) Obama said…my Muslim faith, until George corrected him, and said Christian.
I think his Christian followers will care very much if Obama came out, and said I’m an athiest, or I’m a Muslim. He would have, at a point of confessing, have lied to every one of them. How they would handle either of these revelations, is yet to be seen.
capejasmine on May 7, 2009 at 9:37 PM
BO doesn’t want to talk to himself in public?
d1carter on May 7, 2009 at 9:40 PM
I didn’t ignore you, I said you were wrong. No other president in US history has ever pulled the fascist crap Obama is pulling. For god’s sake he fired the CEO of General Motors. He is nationalizing the 1)Auto industry 2) The Banking industry 3) The insurance industry 4) The broadcast industry 5)The health industry…
doriangrey on May 7, 2009 at 9:40 PM
You used the word “hate” or “haters” 5 times, plus various other more or less synonymous words, and in just one comment. Most telling – if only you could see it.
Sigmund on May 7, 2009 at 9:43 PM
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