The President Has Issued Better Proclamations

Today, President Obama issued his Religious Freedom Day proclamation. He's done better in previous years. While I appreciate that he upholds this twenty-year tradition of emphasizing the day, I am concerned that this year's proclamation lacks a clear understanding of America's religious freedom.

In his opening statement, he emphasizes the "freedom to worship as we choose." This is a narrower understanding of religious freedom. His next statement, reinforces this notion by editing Thomas Jefferson's words.

Since Religious Freedom Day is the anniversary of the passage of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom in 1786, written by Jefferson, it is appropriate to quote it. However, the President's proclamation edits the statement to read "all men shall be free to profess...their opinions in matters of religion." The full statement from Jefferson is this:

"Be it enacted by the General Assembly that no man...shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burthened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief; but that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinion in matters of religion."

Jefferson's words go beyond merely having the freedom to go to hear sermons, sing songs, and pray in church. The Virginia Statute includes the freedom to maintain -- to act on -- one's religious convictions.

To put this in a modern context, the federal government is telling business owners like the Greens, who own Hobby Lobby and refuse to provide employee health care that runs counter to their religious convictions, "you are free to profess your opinion, but you are not free to maintain your opinion in the management of your business."

The President's 2011 proclamation was better. In it, he uses the full quote ("that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinion in matters of religion.")

In that proclamation he also reminds us that "these liberties are not self-sustaining, and require a stalwart commitment by each generation to preserve and apply them." He goes on to state "we vigorously protect the civil rights of Americans, regardless of their religious beliefs." But, doesn't this contradict what is currently happening with the health care mandate?

The President's 2012 proclamation was also better. In it he states that we "reaffirm that the American people will remain forever unshackled in matters of faith." Again, doesn't this contradict what is happening with the health care mandate? The federal government is asserting that people's religious faith IS shackled to the mandates of the government.

Hobby Lobby faces fines of $1.3 million per day if its owners do not make their faith subservient to the government's mandate. This, it would seem, is exactly counter to Jefferson's statement that no person should be "burthened" (meaning "burdened") "in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief."

This year's proclamation lacks the strength of previous proclamations. It begins with a diluted message about "worship" but, toward the end it does call on Americans to honor the day "by forever upholding our right to exercise our beliefs free from prejudice or persecution."




(See the President's proclamation below)

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM DAY, 2013

- - - - - - -

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Foremost among the rights Americans hold sacred is the freedom to worship as we choose. Today, we celebrate one of our Nation's first laws to protect that right -- the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom. Written by Thomas Jefferson and guided through the Virginia legislature by James Madison, the Statute affirmed that "Almighty God hath created the mind free" and "all men shall be free to profess . . . their opinions in matters of religion." Years later, our Founders looked to the Statute as a model when they enshrined the principle of religious liberty in the Bill of Rights.

Because of the protections guaranteed by our Constitution, each of us has the right to practice our faith openly and as we choose. As a free country, our story has been shaped by every language and enriched by every culture. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, Sikhs and non-believers. Our patchwork heritage is a strength we owe to our religious freedom.

Americans of every faith have molded the character of our Nation. They were pilgrims who sought refuge from persecution; pioneers who pursued brighter horizons; protesters who fought for abolition, women's suffrage, and civil rights. Each generation has seen people of different faiths join together to advance peace, justice, and dignity for all.

Today, we also remember that religious liberty is not just an American right; it is a universal human right to be protected here at home and across the globe. This freedom is an essential part of human dignity, and without it our world cannot know lasting peace.

As we observe Religious Freedom Day, let us remember the legacy of faith and independence we have inherited, and let us honor it by forever upholding our right to exercise our beliefs free from prejudice or persecution.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 16, 2013, as Religious Freedom Day. I call on all Americans to commemorate this day with events and activities that teach us about this critical foundation of our Nation's liberty, and show us how we can protect it for future generations at home and around the world.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.

BARACK OBAMA

The President asks Americans to engage in religious activity

Yesterday, the President issued his annual Thanksgiving Proclamation calling the nation to thank God for His blessings. No matter what our politics may be, it is important that we highlight the Proclamation to our children and our students as an example of our nation's recognition of being "one nation under God."The President begins by explaining that it is about "recounting the joys and blessings of the past year." This is an important statement because the majority of people (including teachers) mistakenly think that Thanksgiving is a nostalgic remembrance of the Pilgrims of long ago.

If someone were to ask you what the baseball World Series is, it would be odd if you answered that it is a time when we gather with friends and family to recall the first baseball competition of 1903. Likewise, while Thanksgiving does have a beginning with the Pilgrims, that is not why we celebrate it today. The President rightly calls upon us to "recount the joys and blessings of the past year." 

The President explains, "This day is a time to take stock of the fortune we have known and the kindnesses we have shared, grateful for the God-given bounty that enriches our lives."

In his second paragraph, the President gives a brief overview of its history. He mentions the Pilgrims and Wampanoag tribe. He also highlights George Washington's prayer "to our Creator" as well as Lincoln's proclamation.

In his fourth paragraph, the President calls upon the nation to "spend this day by lifting up those we love, mindful of the grace bestowed upon us by God and by all who have made our lives richer with their presence." He does this "by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States."

Read the Proclamation to Your Family

I recommend you print out the proclamation and read it to your family. It is important that we not only remind ourselves what God has done for us individually, but that we live in a country that officially does this as well. It is part of being "one nation under God."

Teach about the Proclamation Next Week

If you are a teacher, you can incorporate the President's proclamation in a post-Thanksgiving class discussion. Ask students specifically what they did for Thanksgiving Day. Then, ask them if they did what the President asked them to do. When they reply that they were not aware that the President asked them to do anything, give them a copy of his proclamation, read it aloud, and discuss it. This is a teachable moment -- a time to discuss a few of the following topics:

1. What it means to be "one nation under God."

2. The Bill of Rights and freedom of religious expression

3. America's Judeo-Christian heritage

4. The often-misunderstood phrase "separation of church and state"

5. What it means to end the proclamation "in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve" (our calendar dating)

Download the President's Thanksgiving Proclamation.

For all of us at Gateways to Better Education, we wish you a blessed Thanksgiving as you remember all that God has given you and given America.

Christmas Carols and Courage

It won’t be long before Christmas will be here. How will your public schools handle the holiday? Too often, the religious aspects of the holidays are censored from classrooms. But, more and more teachers are finding the courage to teach about them.

For example, Heather is an elementary school music teacher in a liberal community in southern California. When she mentioned to a colleague that she was going to teach the children traditional Christmas carols, he slammed his hand on his desk and declared “You will not teach religious carols to students in my classroom!”

Heather didn’t. Instead, she took the students to the courtyard and taught them Christmas carols there. Later she wrote to us that “the concert was a hit. We even ended it with ‘Silent Night.” Every loved it. Even the school principal told me how much she enjoyed the concert.”

Too often, our schools unnecessarily cower from what they think will be controversial. It’s time we move from fear to freedom.

Christmas Resources:

Christmas in Your Schools

A Gift for Teacher - 8 page card for teachers.

School Prayer is Possible in Public Schools

You might remember last year’s news story about a Rhode Island judge ordering a school to remove a prayer banner that had been hanging in its auditorium for the past 50 years. The non-denominational prayer reminded students to be good sports, be honest, and bring honor to their school. The banner was removed and the student who brought the lawsuit received a $40,000 college scholarship from an atheist organization rewarding her for her efforts. Okay. The banner came down. But, I think a sleeping giant – the Church – just woke up.

In our research, we found that in 34 states public school students can begin their day with prayer IN THE CLASSROOM. These states have laws that either require or allow for students to begin their days with moments of silence that can be used for prayer.

Let’s take the prayer that was in one school in one state and help students pray it in 64,000 schools in 34 states.

(You can listen to my commentary as part of the Family News in Focus broadcast)

To read more about Gateways' School Prayer Card, visit Prayer Page

A Solution to the Rhode Island Prayer Controversy

Many people are upset about the recent news that a 4-foot by 8-foot “School Prayer Banner” hanging in a Rhode Island public high school since 1963 must come down. On January 12, U.S. District Judge Ronald Lagueux ruled that the banner hanging in Cranston High School West is unconstitutional. The judge wrote, "No amount of debate can make the School Prayer anything other than a prayer."

Local resident are up in arms over the ruling and are urging the school district to appeal the ruling. In the meantime, Jessica Ahlquist, the 16-year-old atheist who initiated the action to have the banner removed, is reportedly receiving all kinds of threats and vitriol. She told one reporter, "A lot of people are saying that they hope I get beat up. . . .That they would hurt me physically in school if they could. It is hurtful. It kind of disturbed me. It's mostly hurtful when it comes from students in the school."