Biden’s 2023 Proclamation: God’s Role in Thanksgiving Questioned
Preserving the Spirit of Thanksgiving: Biden’s Controversial Proclamation
When we think of “Thanks-giving,” it implies expressing gratitude.
But who is the intended recipient of that gratitude?
Since the inaugural Thanksgiving on Plymouth Rock and its subsequent establishment as a national day of thanks on Oct. 3, 1789, God has always been acknowledged as the recipient of thanks on behalf of the United States of America.
However, in a disheartening turn of events that reflects the erosion of our nation’s values, God has been excluded as the recipient of thanks this year.
On Wednesday, President Biden released his Thanksgiving proclamation for 2023.
For the first time in American history, the proclamation completely omitted any mention of God or faith.
A Proclamation on Thanksgiving Day, 2023 | The White House https://t.co/TGV4htLQAi
— Ron Leshnower (@RonLeshnower) November 22, 2023
As a nation built on Judeo-Christian principles, this alarming omission highlights how far we have strayed from the original essence of America’s national day of Thanksgiving.
The pilgrims who celebrated the first Thanksgiving in 1621 were devout Christians seeking refuge from religious persecution. Their celebration followed a grueling first year in the New World, where nearly half of their population perished. Despite unimaginable hardships, their faith remained unwavering. They attributed their survival and bountiful harvest to God.
This sentiment persisted throughout the centuries, with presidents honoring God in their Thanksgiving proclamations. George Washington urged all Americans to recognize God’s “providence” and to “unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations.”
On Nov. 28, 1861, Lincoln declared that all government offices would be closed on Thanksgiving Day, stating in his proclamation, “No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things… I do, therefore, invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.”
Former President Donald Trump proclaimed in his 2020 Thanksgiving address, “On Thanksgiving Day, we thank God for the abundant blessings in our lives… I encourage all Americans to gather, in homes and places of worship, to offer a prayer of thanks to God for our many blessings.”
While the level of religious devotion may have varied among past presidents, Biden is the first to completely exclude God from his Thanksgiving proclamation.
In his proclamation, Biden stated, “This Thanksgiving, we are grateful for our Nation and the incredible soul of America.”
Grateful to whom?
Gratitude without a recipient is like a counterfeit Christmas gift under a department store tree. The wrapping may be beautiful, but it ultimately holds no value and lacks substance.
Regrettably, Thanksgiving has been gradually losing its religious significance with each passing year, and it appears that Biden has dealt the final blow.
If we cannot even acknowledge the ultimate Source to which all Americans, regardless of their beliefs, are historically connected, we are adrift without a destination and lacking an anchor to keep us steadfast.
An Urgent Note from Our Staff:
The Western Journal has been labeled “dangerous” simply because we have a biblical worldview and speak the truth about what is happening in America.
We refuse to let Big Tech and woke advertisers dictate the content we share with our community. We stand for truth. We stand for freedom. We stand with our readers.
We’re asking you to help us in this fight. We can’t do this without you.
Your donation directly supports our team of writers and editors. If you prefer to become a WJ member, you can do so today. Your support enables us to expose false narratives and defend traditional American values.
Please stand with us by donating today.
Thank you for your support!
The post Biden Officially Attempts to Remove God from Thanksgiving with 2023 Proclamation appeared first on The Western Journal.
How does the absence of gratitude towards a higher power affect future generations’ understanding of the world and their place in it
Rdless of their religious beliefs, owe their gratitude, then what is left of the spirit of Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving is not just a time for family gatherings, delicious feasts, and football games. It is a sacred day when we come together as a nation to express our thanks for the blessings we have received. It is a reminder of our humble origins and the sacrifices made by those who came before us.
The omission of God from Biden’s proclamation is a troubling indication of a larger trend in our society – the marginalization of religion. It is an attempt to rewrite history and erase the foundational principles on which our country was built. It is a disregard for the millions of Americans who find solace, purpose, and guidance in their faith.
But perhaps the most disheartening aspect of this omission is the message it sends to future generations. If we teach them that gratitude is a virtue, but fail to teach them who to be grateful to, then we are robbing them of a deeper understanding of the world and their place in it. We are denying them the opportunity to experience the profound sense of awe and humility that comes from acknowledging something greater than ourselves.
Thanksgiving should be a unifying force, bringing together people from all walks of life, regardless of their beliefs. It should be a time when we set aside our differences and come together in gratitude. But by excluding God from the equation, Biden’s proclamation only serves to further divide us.
We must remember that the spirit of Thanksgiving is not confined to a single day in November. It is a way of life, a mindset of gratitude and appreciation that should permeate our every action. It is an acknowledgement that we are part of something greater, something beyond our understanding.
So as we gather around our tables this Thanksgiving, let us not forget the true meaning of this day. Let us remember the pilgrims who risked everything for the freedom to worship as they saw fit. Let us remember the generations of Americans who have come before us, working tirelessly to build a better future. And above all, let us remember the Source of all our blessings, and offer our thanks accordingly.
Let us preserve the spirit of Thanksgiving, not just for ourselves, but for the generations to come.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...