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Friday, November 25, 2011

Shocker: Obama Doesn't Mention God During Speech

A lot of tumult is being created as a result of President Obama giving his Thanksgiving without mention of the Sovereign Creator.  Conservatives, Christians, Conservative Christians, Moderate Christians and pretty much every hardcore Republican is up at arms because the President failed to mention God in his Thanksgiving address.

Well, I have a few thoughts about it.

First, so what?  We elected a President, not a Priest or Pastor.  There was a time in this country (election time) when we cared about issues such as the economy, the war on terrorism, the crumbling infrastructure, energy independence and even education.  Perhaps because it's a slow news week, it's become an issue that the President did not mention God in his speech.

Secondly, this is a country wherein our founding fathers wanted government to stay the hell out of religion.  They didn't want a state-run religious system and that's pretty much what we have.  While I could argue quite easily that government has become a religious institution for individuals on both sides of the aisle, the essence of what our founders believed remains intact.  My, how times have changed.

Thirdly, the God in whom I believe is still God - regardless of who acknowledges His existence or doesn't.  His sovereignty is not dependent upon whether some elected official mentions Him or not in a Thanksgiving Day speech.  Frankly, this same sovereign Creator of all that exists probably doesn't even care that I am contributing my opinion because He transcends me, the President and yes, even Sean Hannity.

Thanksgiving is to each of us something different.  Many are at their core thankful for God's grace, and at the same, thankful for family members, friends and even this wacky thing called the Internet.  Thanksgiving isn't just a time to thank the Father because if we really want to be technical about it, we are to live in a perpetual state of thankfulness. 

It's interesting how sometimes we watch professional ball players giving thanks for a touchdown and we chuckle a little bit - because we know that in the grand scheme of things, God doesn't really give a rip about a touchdown, or extra point.  He cares about the person who made the touchdown and everyone watching.  He cares about people that He created in His image.

Of course, this is just my opinion and I could be wrong.  And I doubt God cares one way or the other whether I'm spot-on or not.