NationStates Jolt Archive


Thanksgiving

Gladdis
26-11-2004, 18:08
By George Washington


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

O P I N I O N
Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789.

-- G. Washington


so my question to all the anti God in Gov't people is..when are you going to sue over this..it is a federal holiday..and it was established by the gov't for the purpose of thanking god.
Katganistan
26-11-2004, 20:34
They won't, any more than they will sue for Christmas breaks, Easter Breaks, et al -- they're days off, man!
Erehwon Forest
26-11-2004, 20:37
I strongly identify myself as an "anti god in government" person. I will not sue over this until I'm actually forced to live inside the US. I like our pagan and socialist official holidays a lot better.
Katganistan
26-11-2004, 20:42
Well, Christmas was originally Saturnalia, so have fun!
Erehwon Forest
26-11-2004, 21:01
The Finnish christmas is also highly influenced by the more or less non-religious holiday of kekri (related to harvest and the cycle of the years) and the more religiously overtoned (very much pagan) scandinavian winter solstice festivals.

In all fairness, May Day is also a legal holiday in the US, although at the wrong date to keep those sneaky commies in check.
The Black Forrest
26-11-2004, 21:07
Considering Washington was a selfproclaimed Diest, this hardly makes a case for Christianity.

I can show you a letter he wrote to a Jewish group telling them they don't have to worry as Relgion didn't belong in goverment.....

A state sponsored Religion is a BAD thing.

Even though the shrub is doing his damndest to make the goverment follow Christianity.

Taxes should not go to Churches. If he wants to give them money then the goverment has every right to tax them!