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Archive: May 3, 2009 - May 9, 2009
Priestly Celibacy: A Self-Inflicted Wound
Palestinians and Israelis are going to embrace one another at the Wailing Wall and the Dome of the Rock before the rigid old men who run the Vatican open up the doors of the priesthood to people who want to serve their god and enter into the full experience of loving and being loved by another human being.
By Susan Jacoby | May 9, 2009; 1:26 PM ET | Comments (442)
Prayer Always a Part of America
Whether President Obama chooses to bring people into the White House or not, it is still for all Americans a day in which we can give thanks to our Creator for all the blessings and bounty we have in this nation.
By Charles "Chuck" Colson | May 8, 2009; 4:44 PM ET | Comments (4)
The Arms of a Mother
Today is Mother's Day. Today we should celebrate Michelle Obama's arms as the arms of a mother.
By Sally Quinn | May 7, 2009; 12:56 PM ET | Comments (1)
Prayers to Heal the Nations
Perhaps our National Day of Prayer will inspire us both to pray more and to expect concrete results from that prayer.
By Phil Davis | May 7, 2009; 11:06 AM ET | Comments (5)
What is Prayer Meant to Be?
Whether or not a national day of prayer is worthy of the name depends on what prayer is meant to be. In the Bush era, public or group prayer followed the pattern set down by Nixon in the Sixties: it was a validation of conservative values.
By Deepak Chopra | May 7, 2009; 2:10 AM ET | Comments (23)
A Time to Pray
If there ever was a time that the American people needed to be reminded to come together in the Spirit of fraternity and charity, and meditate and supplicate, it would be now.
By Matt Maher | May 6, 2009; 3:54 PM ET | Comments (8)
Obama's Post-Modernism
The President's proclamation of a National Day of Prayer, without a White House function, reflects the tensions and inconsistencies of our age. But it is better to recognize those tensions and inconsistencies than it is to repress them through the exercise of power.
By Mathew N. Schmalz | May 6, 2009; 1:19 PM ET | Comments (7)
Evangelical Christian Day of Prayer
The National Day of Prayer has been little more than a right wing evangelical celebration of a single strand of America's rich and diverse religious heritage.
By John Shelby Spong | May 6, 2009; 10:05 AM ET | Comments (42)
Do We Pray as a Nation?
A national day of prayer ideally would help us be a nation of which God would be proud and pleased.
By Susan K. Smith | May 6, 2009; 9:46 AM ET | Comments (2)
America on Her Knees; Her Greatest Posture
Should President Obama accompany the declaration with a White House ceremony? Absolutely! Should there be a National Day of Prayer? Why not?
By Samuel Rodriguez | May 6, 2009; 1:39 AM ET | Comments (10)
Nations Should Pray in Unison
National Day of Prayer idea is even better when the nation prays together in unison.
By Rajan Zed | May 5, 2009; 5:26 PM ET | Comments (12)
Obama's Wise, But Unfortunate, Decision
Unfortunately, President Obama is making the right decision by not hosting a National Prayer Day event at the White House.
By Brad Hirschfield | May 5, 2009; 3:30 PM ET | Comments (40)
Religion Safer in Hands of the People
I have long contended that Congress' official designation and the President's predictable proclamation of a National Day of Prayer is misguided. It is not government's job to tell the American people what, where or when to pray.
By J. Brent Walker | May 5, 2009; 3:12 PM ET | Comments (4)
National Day of Non-Prayer?
Imagine this hypothetical companion headline: "President Obama will also sign a proclamation Friday recognizing National Day of Non-Prayer."
By Herb Silverman | May 5, 2009; 2:20 PM ET | Comments (11)
Prayer Doesn't Require Presidential Endorsement
Obama probably has the right mix. Those who wish to pray don't need the endorsement of a president; not when they have God.
By Cal Thomas | May 5, 2009; 2:17 PM ET | Comments (8)
The Grumpy Dog's Lesson About Mother's Day
Nobody likes a grumpy dog. And nobody likes a Christian who is a Christian in name only. I thought about that this week when I was going to the curb to retrieve my garbage can. There is a little dog...
By Susan K. Smith | May 5, 2009; 1:59 PM ET | Comments (1)
Skip the Proclamation, Host the Event
It is in the act of coming together to hear diverse prayers spoken that we build whatever civic solidarity we can, and we build our religious pluralism at the same time.
By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite | May 5, 2009; 11:19 AM ET | Comments (3)
President Obama's Subdued Religion Seems More Real
Proclamation, YES; related event at the White House, NO.
By Willis E. Elliott | May 4, 2009; 9:58 PM ET | Comments (3)
How About An Infotainment-Free Day?
I would much prefer a proclamation endorsing a "National Day of Reflection and Quiet." The U.S. government has no business issuing declarations taking any position on prayer.
By Susan Jacoby | May 4, 2009; 2:47 PM ET | Comments (200)
