President Obama is removing any connection between the White House and himself from the National Day of Prayer by canceling a formal early morning service and not attending a Catholic prayer breakfast Friday, where some 1300 people will be in attendance. (For this year's prayer breakfast, Catholic members of the administration have been invited. They include Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano... None has responded, Mr. Cella said.)
The only thing Mr. Obama will do for the National Day of Prayer, which is May 7th, is sign a proclamation honoring the day - as previous Presidents have done. National Day of Prayer originated in 1952 when Congress set aside the first Thursday in May for the observance. Shirley Dobson, chairwoman of the National Day of Prayer Committee, said the group was "disappointed in the lack of participation by the Obama administration."
President George Bush invited Christian and Jewish leaders to the White House East Room, where he would usually give a short speech and several leaders offered prayers.
"For those of us who have our doubts about Obama's faith, no, we did not expect him to have the service," said Wendy Wright, president of Concerned Women for America. "But as president, he should put his own lack of faith aside and live up to the office."
Referencing a remark the president made at a recent press conference in Turkey that Americans "do not consider ourselves a Christian nation," she added: "That was projecting his own beliefs, but not reflecting what the majority of Americans feel. It's almost like Obama is trying to remake America into his own image. This is not a rejection of Shirley Dobson; it's a rejection of the concept that America is a spiritual nation and its foundation is Judeo-Christian."
Remember the White House support of Easter? Obama’s administration ensured about 110 same-sex families with kids were expressly invited through gay and lesbian organizations. While lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender parents first attended the roll in 2006, this is the first time, the Family Equality Council says, the White House specifically encouraged them to participate in this tradition. Mr.Obama and his family attended St. John's Church on Easter Sunday. It was the first public worship services for the president since he took office. Why is it so hard for him to find a church? Where is his Rev Wright?!? He attended that church, faithfully, for decades!?!
Recall also, that for Passover Mr. Obama and a collection of guests celebrated Thursday what White House officials believe to be the first Passover Seder dinner hosted by an American president.
He prayed openly during the campaign, with many and diverse groups – so public prayer wasn’t an issue …
What is with this White House’s snub of the National Day of Prayer??