National Day of Prayer 2010 Canceled | Rumors not true

Thursday, April 15th, 2010 By

A sign indicating an available multifaith prayer room at an airport.

The National Day of Prayer is advertised as a multifaith prayer event. Image from Flickr.

The rumors have been running rampant that President Obama has seen to it that the National Day of Prayer 2010 is canceled. However, the National Day of Prayer 2010 canceled rumor is just that – a rumor. Money lenders, tax collectors, Samaritans and people of every religion (or no religion) have no reason to get worked up. It is true that President Obama has chosen to not hold a prayer ceremony in the East Room on the National Day of Prayer 2010. However, National Day of Prayer 2010 canceled simply isn’t true.

National Day of Prayer 2010 canceled rumor

The National Day of Prayer 2010 canceled rumor has been running rampant on Facebook, Twitter and many blogs. The beginnings of the National Day of Prayer 2010 canceled rumors were in the announcement that President Obama will not be holding an official ceremony for the National Day of Prayer 2010. The official statement from the White House press secretary was that “Prayer is something that the president does every day.” As with last year, Obama is planning on signing the National Day of Prayer 2010 proclamation.

History behind the National Day of Prayer 2010

The National Day of Prayer was first established in 1952 by President Truman and was officially recognized in 1988 by President Regan. An annual observance “for people of all faiths,” the National Day of Prayer is organized by the privately funded National Day of Prayer Task Force, which uses money loans to help fund some national observances. While most presidents since Truman have held observances of the National Day of Prayer, a few have expressed concern that the National Day of Prayer may break the separation of church and state.

Who thinks National Day of Prayer 2010 canceled rumor is concerning?

The National Day of Prayer 2010 is not canceled. In fact, the National Day of Prayer Task Force will still be holding a Capitol Hill recognition of the day. The chairman of the privately funded organization released a statement saying “at this time in our country’s history, we would hope our President would recognize more fully the importance of prayer.” The White House has said that President Obama will be spending the National Day of Prayer 2010 recognizing “in his own life and in his family’s life, the role that prayer plays.”

Who thinks National Day of Prayer 2010 canceled should be true?

There are some groups that believe that “National Day of prayer 2010 canceled” should be a headline. The Freedom From Religion Foundation filed a 2008 lawsuit that named the President, press secretary and state governors as defendants. The FFRF alleges that the National Day of Prayer 2010 should be canceled because it violates the separation of church and state.

Sources:

CNN
FFRF.org

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  • Shannon

    So what? If that determines what you do or don't do, it's a shame. Our country was founded on Christian principles and if people don't like that it's okay, but it doesn't change anything. Separation of church and state did not mean back then what it means today. People have changed what our Fore Fathers meant to satisfy what they want. THe world has changed, people have changed but our God, the one and only true God has not changed and we should have a national day of prayer every month if that will get our counrty back on track and going in the right direction.

    • Steven Tarlow

      Oh really, Shannon? What did "separation of church and state" mean then, and what does it mean today? The more you read Thomas Jefferson's writings, as well as Franklin's, the more you'll see that we aren't necessarily a "Christian nation." That does not mean that America was not founded on moral principles, however. Far from it, which leads to the discusssion of where morals come from. Here's an interesting article on that. Read it and tell me if you can't make the logical connection between morals and simple survival.

      I do not believe it is a good idea to cancel a National Prayer Day, but I do believe that other beliefs should be represented equally, as America is a pluralist nation when it comes to beliefs. Just because one group shouts the loudest doesn't make them the majority.

  • doratha

    We should continue to have a national day of prayer. This nation's founding father never intended this. The wording is freedom of religion, not freedom from religion.

  • Shannon

    According to the Supreme Court, the National Day of Prayer was ruled unconstitutional. http://ffrf.org/uploads/legal/SummaryJudgementGei…

    • GODBLESSUSA

      A National Day of Pray is nice.But every day should be a day of pray,Nation wide.We were taught as children to say our prayers every night before bed.Why should any of that change.This is what made our familys strong,and this is what this Great Country of ours was born and raised on.Take a few minutes to restore some of those family values back into our daily lives.Lets not allow "Political Correctness" to over power our way of thinking.It's up to every American to take the time, and keep God Bless America as our standard for living.

      • Steven Tarlow

        Incorrect, GODBLESSUSA. This country was not "built on" prayer. However, it is true that it has been tradition for many families. Whether individual families want to observe that tradition is entirely up to them. Religious faith has its say here because churches used to control government in nations outside America… and in some it still does. Remember that much of the American population originated outside of North America proper. Part of why America was founded is so the people wound be free to determine the path of their own government, away from control of monarchies that base their rule upon divine right… upon religion. Monarchs, popes and other high-ranking religious figures have often walked arm-in-arm.

        I have to back up from my previous comment on this story, however. I do believe that all government-backed American holidays should be devoid of religious influence. That's something the Founding Fathers of America actually DID stand for, separation of church and state.