CNN

Half the people there don't even care for this President and he knows it. Many people pray but the bible clearly say that they pray amiss. What is the motive and the agenda of the heart. You can pray all day long but what's the true motive behind why you are praying, praying is private and personal and when praying corporatly you must use wisdom. Prayer is serious wisdom in spirit and in truth. Obama and Michelle take seriously prayer and my be just may be they want to pray with people who love and care for them truly... I know I would and do...

The first amendment is very clear on this matter.
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion..."
The National Day of Prayer was established by congress in 1952.
This act is an establishment of religion in government.
It doesn't have to specify which religious philosophy is being established in order to be in violation, but we all know what religious view was the basis for this law.
This is unconstitutional needs to be eliminated or challenged in court

Prayer is a personal activity and should not be expoited for political purposes!!!

We should be praying EVERDAY!!!!!!!
WE have a national day for this and a national day for that, everthing seems to have its day, Prayer is something you do day in and day out, we don't need a national day for this. If this is the only day you pray,shame on you!!!!

Hey if God is all-powerful and all-knowing, could he come up with a question even he couldn't answer?

Also why does the supreme being of the universe bother with something as trivial as gender?

Everyone: You ALL have the right to pray...regardless of how I feel, I recognize your right, I support your right, I would fight for Your rights on this.
Would you give me the same courtesy on abortion, same sex marriage, or the right NOT to pray?

That all being said..I am GLAD when we keep church and state separate like our founding fathers envisioned. Just because they are not praying at the White House does not mean the same people do not pray......which is THEIR right.
America is a place where we all can follow our own beliefs.....so QUIT trying to ram your beliefs down all of our throats.....in doing THAT you become a hypocrite to your own beliefs. If people do something you do not believe in...IGNORE it.

The Christian right will really have a hissy fit over this! I agree with the president. I feel that someones observance of religious activities should remain private. Not every person in this country is religious and to have a public ceremony wouldn't be right.

The Continental Congress issued a day of prayer in 1775 to designate "a time for prayer in forming a new nation".

On April 17, 1952, President Harry S. Truman (Democrat) signed a bill proclaiming a National Day of Prayer must be declared by each following president at an appropriate date of his choice.

It is plain ignorance to immediately blame everything on Bush.

Praise be to Allah – Thank you brother Barack Hussein Obama, you have put the Christian infidel who drinks blood back in his box. God willing, you will continue the fight against the capitalistic infidels of the US

Seperation of religion and state, it's about time.

For the far-right religious nuts that are going to start screaming that this proves Obama doesn't believe in God or that he is a Muslim or whatever, you need to get a life. Public prayer to show everyone what a good Christian you are is ridiculous and is just for show. People who are able to have a real connection with God, don't need religion to tell them how and where to pray. And they sure don't need a National Prayer Day to remind them to pray! lol

where's the Magic Spaghetti Moster when you need him?

If this was organized BY THE CHURCH then no one would have a problem. Call it a national day of service and have the churches say to pray today. That would be fine. Obama shouldn't be wasting his time on this when he has other things to do.

Hey gasket-blowing bible thumpers, you had better pack your suitcases and put on your "Sunday best" – the rapture is coming . . .

"Thou shalt thump thine bible in righteous indignation in response to all perceived slights and shriek heresy when thine arguments are exposed as possessing of no merit"

The Book of Gop, 5:15.

Good Job Obama! Thank you. Now if you could please stop giving churches tax exempt status, and no goverment funding to schools who teach religion as fact.

Keep your prayer and crazy religion to yourselves people! Us rational, logical people who dont believe in fairytales & myths would like a little peace and normalcy in our lives.

Good not everyone prays. Don't force that stuff on me.

To all of your rightwing naysayers – shame on you for your outrageous statements.
There is supposed to be a separation of church and state but the former president and the conservative GOP evidently felt they needed to bring religion into the political forefront to attone for the sins of torture and all the dead from the unnecessary wars we were led into with the mantra of fear.
Just because I don't pray in public doesn't mean I'm not a Christian, just means I feel it is a private moment for me to experience – to me The Day of Prayer was like Easter Sunday, for the public to see you could attend a religious service and nothing else.

The right wing nuts make me crazy. I am a Catholic but also recognize that some people in this country don't believe in God at all and that is their right.

Whether the president has a ceremony at the white house shouldn't matter to anyone. I have always found those who protest the loudest are the biggest hypocrites around.

Have your religion but quit shoving your Christian "values" on everyone and respect other people's religion or lack of any religion.

Who cares....I'm agnostic/atheist. What ever happened to the separation of church and state...apparently it was good enough for this country's founding fathers but not now??? Bush and the religious crazies took over the country and it SUCKED!!!

No surprise. Obama is an atheist so why would he waste his time praying?

Of all the foul vices ever practiced by that most inhuman of creatures, Man, religion is among the worst. Since the dawn of history, it's been the cause and justification of more cruelty and suffering than any other single bane of Man's existence. It is a plague, a pestilence, on the collective conscience of humanity. One vengeful god or another has been on every side of every war ever fought, never satisfied until the earth is soaked with blood; treachery and butchery are the hallmarks of religion.

Ever has religion been a source of divisiveness, of cultural arrogance, of intolerance. It fosters demonisation, an aptly chosen word, of those who are not "one of us."

Religion, the antithesis of civilisation, has no place in a civilised world, and a "National Day of Prayer" has no place in a civilised society.

Contrary to what you "Christians" haters believe, the US is a SECULAR nation and according to the US Constitution your religion is not favored above any other religion – or above those who chose no religion at all.

You want prayer – do it at your place of worship or in your own home.

Right worriedmom, we did pray on 9/11 and did we need Bush to tell us to do so? NO. did he get on television and say lets take 30 seconds and all pray as a nation together? NO. We knew to pray because if we are believers thats what we do.

And what does obama being a muslim have to do with praying? Last time I checked muslims do pray. Take a world religious studies class instead of listening to what Rush tells your

You people do realize that the whole Separation of Church and state is not in the Constitution right? The idea was held by Thomas Jefferson and expressed in his letter to Danbury College.... google it.... if you dare!

The President is the President,not a preacher.If you need your preacher call him up.You have that right in our great country.There are about three dittoheads that use a number of names on here in order to make you and I believe there are that many people who think like them.

On second thought, there should not be a "National" Prayer Day as this, too, is a government endorsement of religion. I don't think believers need a "prayer day" - they can pray to their hearts content without injecting it into the public sphere.

If you view yourself as the "Messiah," you don't need to pray...just expect everone to bow down to you.

It's a sad day in this country when being a Christian has become a curse word....

Thank you, Mr. Obama for recognizing and respecting that such a ceremony would be a government endorsement of religion and that many Americans do not share these beliefs. As a Christian, he is free to recognize National Day of Prayer in any non-public way he chooses.

This makes sense, how does one pray to himself? Obama the Messiah, bless you for leading us into 3rd world country status.

You know, people claim politics is corrupt but suing religion in politics is the worst.

Because I'm sure your bearded man said that he would like you to shove his religion down people's throats.

I have an idea, lets have a national rememberance day to honor all the people who dies because of Christianity. Crusades anyone?

Al religions are the refuge of uneducated and terrified animals

Let me ask you this. How many of you prayed on Sept 11th??? I know I did and I know many did. There is nothing wrong with prayer, regardless of what religion you are. This country needs prayer, in fact this world needs prayer.
I am offended that our President can make a big deal of Cinco de Mayo day but he cannot appease to prayer for all.
It only reinforces what I have believed all along about this man and his faith.
I will pray for all of you who need guidance in your life.

This subtle, but wise move, by our President is long over due. The conservative wing of Republican party is just like being a moderate Taliban. Forcing personal religious beliefs on others is criminal.
Senator Specter has the right idea. As of today, I am no longer a Republican.

The only reason GWB did the White House program was to pander to the right wing extremists. Now look what' happened...they expect this to be part of the federal government. Religion and how one practices it is a matter of choice and privacy...the Bible so many thump even encourages believers to pray in private. Its about time the POTUS doesn't bow to ANY version of extremism and "walks the walk" when it comes to the constitution and separation of church and state.

I would expect nothing less from the heathen dumbocrats.

The "God Loving Christian" comments here are hilarious – or would be if they weren't so pathetically sad.

Thank you Prez. Obama, considering what has happened in the last 8/yrs we are lifting the clouds of HIPOCRACY OF BUSHES ERA GONE!

Good grief people – listen to you all who claim you are Christians

Did Jesus not teach to Love thy Neighbor? Who cares if they are Muslim or Jewish, Buddhist or whatever! Its their choice – not yours!

There should be a distinct separation of Church and State and finally Obama is doing just that! So let it happen – if there were to be a day of prayer for anyother religion all Christians would not want them to pray! and besides that as Christians we as all other followers of different faiths to leave their religion out of the government – so why can we as Christians not to the same? we certainly are no better than anyone else – i know I am not.

We all believe in the same God – though he may have different names He is the same in every major religion.

He celebrated the Seder on Passover... why the mixed message?

Thats Ok Mr President if you don't believe in Prayer...This country does not have a prayer with you! The city I live in literally quit putting up flags not long after you came into office. I pray every day for Texas and then Oklahoma and other states to break away from the God-less Liberal run machine you operate!

To all the right winger's out their. Do you ever watch PBS? Do you ever watch scientific based programs? Do you really believe in creationism? Do you really believe you are the chosen people? Do you really believe that only those born again will go to "heaven"? Do you really believe in the apparent interpretations of the bible that are fictional? Then the brainwashing has penetrated the deepest part of your brain, and now you are a religious zombie. Enjoy!

Of course he's not going to pray...he's Muslim....

A Senate report mistakenly claims as part of the rationale for the law that prayers were conducted at the Constitutional Convention, which adopted the U.S. Constitution: “When the delegates to the Constitutional Convention encountered difficulties in the writing and formation of a Constitution for this Nation, prayer was suggested and became an established practice at succeeding sessions,” according to the report by the Committee on the Judiciary.

However, Benjamin Franklin suggested prayer, but in his own notes recorded that the convention, “except for three or four persons, thought prayers unnecessary.” His suggestion to pray was met politely but with some embarrassment, scholars note, and delegates quickly adjourned.

Lets just Rename it...

How About:

National Day of Speaking To Imaginary Shared Friends or
National Day of Talking to Ceiling Tiles or
National Day of I Will Never Truly Know Myself Because I Ask For Imaginary Help

What's the big deal here? The National Day of prayer is a hallmark holiday. (It's not a Holy day in my good book). I pray everyday and I don't need help from my government to do so. Kudos Obama, this day was just a cooked-up ceremony with no meaning behind it.

So judging by all these posts, God teaches you not to be tolerant, and hate.

God isn't real, our economic problems are, and this bearded man you worship hasn't lifted a finger because he is as powerless as Sarah Palin.

Good job, Mr. President. Not off of believe in God and certainly not all of us pray. I agree it's not your job to tell us to pray (even though the extreme right is foaming at the mouth right now).

The time for the religious 'right's influence on our government and policies is ending. Thank God!

He cannot have a National Day of Prayer. He is not a Christian and before you idiots post you should read "Audiocity of Hope" and you would know exactly where the man you voted into office stands on faith and other things. Who is he? Nobody knows? But the book would certainly enlighten some of you.

Do you really think that Christmas as a federal holiday is going to be eliminated? And even if it was would that stop you from celebrating Christmas? Do you think Employers would stop offering christmas as a holidy just because it wasnt a federal holiday? Get Real
And Mr. Obama, please don't listen to the naysayers. Even if you did celebrate the national day of prayer, right wingers would criticize you for turning it into a photo op since you are just a celebrity president who is the Messiah to your supporters

The President knows best.Rush Limbaugh prays to himself.

Obama is absolutely correct. Separation of church and state is more important than bowing to the wishes of any religious group PERIOD.
The Surgeon General's office should make all churchs post
a mandatory warning that RELIGION can narrow your mind and even
kill you in the extremes. I hope his universal health care takes effect soon so that all the religious right-wing nuts can afford their thorazine.

GPM, you forgot to add the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Have a nice day!

I know for some people the idea of NOT running around screaming "I'm a believer LOOK AT MEEEEEE!!!!!!!!" is strange. I know that the idea of keeping your spiritual beliefs separate from your public life can be strange for some people. And OBVIOUSLY for some people if the President makes the choice to pray privately and not make a show of his spirituality he MUST be the devil in disguise.

So please continue the "our country is going to the dogs", "ever since we got rid of prayer in our schools our country has declined morally" and "what can you expect from a muslim" cookie-cutter responses.

Please...go ahead....the rest of us could use a good laugh. After all, it is your blood that gets boiling no matter what the President does or does not do. The rest of us are just going to enjoy the show. I'm getting popcorn....

Separation of church and state, what a concept! I think that is in the Consitution somewhere.

The fact that he doesn't beat people over the head with religion is one of the things I like most about Obama, and one of the biggest differences between him and Bush.

Of course, this will make the right-wing wackos go off on the whole "Obama is a secret Muslim" nonsense, but they would have done that anyway.

You do not need a National Pray to confirm your religious beliefs. You can pray anytime and anywhere you want to. It has nothing to do with President Obama – it is between you and God.

Most people have never realize this is one planet and one people dont believe me ask all your leading Scientist so why the world have not put all our different aside and live like it. We the people now and for ever.

Thanks, Mr. President! No one has the right to tell you are me when we should pray. And thanks for separation of church and state, too! These "so-call" religious folks complaining this morning are a bunch of hypocrites at its worst!!

OBAMA/BIDEN 2012

Just one simple question: Were Americans expecting any thing other than this from President NObama and his idiotic cabinet and supporters? This man is so set in "Changing" everything we believe in that he does not care whether he offends the bulk of the population or not. It's been his WAY or no way at all since he was shamelessly sworn into office. America, PLEASE wake up before it's too late!

Oh well... Stay tuned. More worst and idiotic decisions are on the pike.

It's freedom OF religion not freedom FROM religion. I pray everyday that we all survive the Obama administration.

Why in the world is there a "National Day of Superstitious Drivel" anyway?

I believe that we should have prayer in schools. However, it should be:
Monday- Christians offer the prayer
Tuesday- Hindu's offer the prayer
Wednesday- Jews offer the prayer
Thursday- Muslims offer the prayer
Friday-Bhuddists offer the prayer

Why would anyone be upset with this plan?

Why would he do this Obama ran as a candidate that supported prayer.

Why the change? Is it for political advantage? I should have known that a democratic Christian was to good to be true. The dems are on the verge of becomming the Atheist party.

Wow... if being a Christian means you are mean spirited and hateful, who do you think will end up in your hell? Stop thumping your Bibles and go out and try to love and accept for once in your lives.

People are misunderstanding what Obama said, and, I believe, meant. Obama said, "I pray every day." I believe him; he conducts himself as if he does. Look in the Bible and read what it says about the people who make public prayer the focus of their religion – Jesus himself disproved of it. I am not even a little impressed with folks who publicize their spirituality when it is so highly politicized and when it is used as a litmus test for the spirituality of others. I am much more impressed by a political leader who says nothing publilcly about his personal spirituality, but allows it to guide his actions and undergird his integrity.

Its good to finally have a president who recognizes and respects all beliefs (and those with no belief) instead of a president who pushes one belief on everybody.

You know it doesn't matter what PRESIDENT OBAMA does, he is always going to be criticized. If he sneezes, someone is going to say "see I told you, he can't even sneeze properly". Just because he wants to have private prayer doesn't mean he is not a Christian. He doesn't have to say he is a Christian if he's not. What difference would it make. I thought America was founded on freedom of religion. What happened to separation of church and state? He is following the constitution people. GET OVER IT, HE IS THE 44TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!! ACCEPT IT OR LEAVE, THERE ARE PLENTY OF OTHER COUNTRIES OUT THERE!

Who cares. Religion is a destructive force. Religions are mutually exclusive, and there is no way to prove what any of them say.

The best thing for the US, for the world, and for mankind, is if religion just fades away.

The Bible says that the ferverent prayers of the righteous availeth much. It says, that man ought always to pray. I never thought a national holiday was needed if we are supposed to do this all the time. I stay in constant contact with God,.
Because The United States of America (I just love saying that) is home to people of different religious backgrounds I feel that the president must rise above those religious divisions. He is not only president to Christians in this country, but to Jewish, Muslim and yes, even the Satanist. It seems that some American Chistians willfully ignore the other religions that are practiced in this country.
Having said all that, this is such a non issue

Funny, but all of the jokers, including the Obamessiah, will be the first running home to celebrate Christmas with their families. No National Day of Prayer, no federal holiday for Christmas, right?

Did any of you complainers actually watch the video? He's not abolishing the day of prayer he's just not having a White house ceremony for it. In fact other than W most recent presidents did the same thing including Reagan. But you'll only look for another reason to bash him so that fact will fall on deaf ears

"Why is this not surprising. Obama is not a religious man, and his roots in Islam are still there. Obama is shunning the Christians that make up 95% of this country becasue he does not wish to anger the Muslims."

This is the kind of untrue, perhaps unknowable but certainly irrelevant, and decidedly stupid nonsense that has most us laughing at the right wing right now. How do you know he is not a religious man? What do you know about Islam, or his Islamic roots, if any? How has Obama shunned Christians? By not participating in a praying photo op?

1. There is a difference between being "antireligious" and not finding a need to make some public spectacle of your faith.
2. Even if Obama were a Muslim (which he has clearly demonstrated that he is not), what difference does that make? One of the primary founding principles of this nation is freedom of religion.
3. One of the earliest comments on here claimed that Muslims don't believe in God. I hope everyone else knows how ignorant that comment is. Muslims actually worship the same God that Christians and Jews worship.
4. Having a National Day of Prayer is at odds with our provision for separation of church and state. If you wish to pray, we also have a provision for freedom of religion. Exercise that freedom whenever you like. I'm sure the president does, but he is under no obligation to do so in front of a camera.
5. Obama could not have won the election if he were not an American-born citizen. Please stop demanding his birth certificate – continued harping on this subject is a demonstration of ignorance as to how our system works. In order to have one's name placed on a presidential ballot in the US, one must provide proof that he/she was born in the US.

Reading all these crazy comments reminds me of why I no longer attend church nor do I want to be associated with people like them. FYI, you are killing the Christian faith with your garbage.

The bastardization of European Christianity out of which Christian Conservatism was born does not make the United States the center of the world; nor does it make Jesus Christ an American.

That's Ok Mr. President if you don't believe in prayer... This country does not have a prayer with you! I quit flying my flag not long after you came into office. Someday, the people who are in favor of Gay loving, Abortion killing activist who believe in everything except God will someday soon be asking themselves why the Conservative States starting with Texas, then Oklahoma, etc. broke away from the Union!

Does National Prayer Day meant anything to Southern Baptists who hates Mormons and Muslims, anyway?

Te US must be the only advanced country in the world doing this.

Leave that to 3rd world fundamentalist countries run by religous zealots.
They pray everyday and what do they gain? They are getting poorer, politically unstable etc.

Certainly, we do not need to emulate those countries. We need to pray every day to uphold our freedom to pray and not to pray if we wish.

Excellent. Finally a President that doesn't shove his religion down everyone elses throat. This is what separation of church and state is all about. Glad to see a President who stands for what the country was created for.

Finally reality and rational thinking has arrived at the WH. If you want to pray go pray in your churches thats what there for, not everyone believes in imaginary cloud beings and fairy tales . I don't force my beliefs on you so don't force yours on me.

I am a Christian but I find it so disconcerting that so many people see this as negative. We as Americans stand on our podium and chastise Islamic nations because they do not separate their religion from their government yet when someone tries to make a separation of the predominant religion in this country from the government they go ballistic.

Try placing yourselves in the position of a Jew or Muslim in this country feeling like your religion must be inferior and less important because you are not Christian. I am all for freedom of religion and separation of church and state.

I would not want anyone telling me how to practice my religion or non-believer any more than I would want to force my beliefs on anyone else. Imagine how these "Christians" and I use the term loosely would feel if we had a Jewish President that made a public show of one of their celebrations, they would be livid.

Try practicing the beliefs that Christ instructed and love your neighbor and dedicate yourselves to acts of kindness. No matter what you believe or don't the world could never go wrong with rules like that.

Nat Turner will be praying to God as his end comes near as most loud mouth atheists will do. Nothing like hedging your bets!

As a Christian, I have no problem 'toning down' the National Day of Prayer. Having a ceremony showing our political leaders in prayer is just another chance for a photo op. I would rather have my political leaders pray in private, and see them doing their jobs in public.

I pray everyday... usually more than once a day. But I do it on my time, and in my own way.

Why do people ALWAYS jump to level 10 on the Extreme Reaction meter? President Obama is not eliminating the National Day of Prayer, he is just saying there will not be a ceremony at the White House.
Last time I checked the White House was not a place of worship. It is a working office of the Executive Branch of the Government of the United States of America, as well as the residence of the President of the United States and his family.

Based on interviews with the President and First Lady, they pray together everyday as a family, and in the privacy of the First Family Residence.
Given the state of the country, I am sure there have been many times that President Obama has probably said a prayer in the Oval Office or even on Air Force One.

I love the Matthew 6 references! Prayer, like religion is a personal matter.

Totally what was to be expected from a Godless man. Its amazing how everything "good" is blatantly criticized by the left, and how they support everything that is "evil". We are headed down a very treacherous road. I will definitely pray today that God save us all from the disater that is ahead.

There is no need to have this as there are many millions in this country who do not believe the same as the "christians" in this country. Why they feel they can dictate how and when the country is to worship is absurd. Obama makes me prouder to be an American every day by his not cowtowing to the religious fanatics and zealots. Their hate, divisiveness and propaganda in the name of religion is disgusting and their evilness is palpable.

Thank you Mr president. Religion has no place in government.
Keep the wall of separation well high.

FIRST: The words "Separation of Church and State" are NOT – REPEAT NOT – in the Constitution. Thomas Jefferson wrote about the concept in the 1802 saying that the First Amendment creates a "wall of separation between church and state".

SECOND: Muslims believe in God, Jesus, Mary, Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, and John the Baptist ... just like Christians do. They do not place the same emphasis on those people – but they believe nonetheless.

THIRD: Muslims PRAY MORE THAN MOST CHRISTIANS ... they pray 5 times a day. 5 TIMES! Most Christians pray 1 to 2 times a day – at best!

FOURTH: Obama is no anti-religion because he chooses to keep his faith private and not out there for the world to see. Why is that bad?

Obama is taking the first step to eliminating prayer in public places.

Thank you, President Obama, for remembering that our Constitution separates Church and State. Everyone is free to pray on this day – but it is a PERSONAL matter, not a civic one.

The hatred spewed by "christians" against President Obama is so very anti-christian, This president is so outstanding. He obeys the U.S. constitution and the Bible at the same time (Jesus' admonition to those who show off by public praying). Christians should be reminded that
Jesus said "render unto Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." This is certainly separation of church and state!

But I'm sure we'll have several ceremonies for the Muslim day of prayer or worse yet, a parade for NAMBLA.

Obama is a divider. A sneaky one at that. I'd love to hear an intelligent answer to my question: why is Obama, and previously George Bush for that matter, trying to change the greatest country in the history of the world?

Socialism failed in EVERY country it was ever tried. Capitalism created the greatest country in the world. Also we are the only Christian Nation in the world, think that has anything to do with it?

Anyone care to guess how many public prayers Ronald Reagan held on the National Day of Prayer? Zero. Yet when Obama makes the same choice that most of the rest of us do – to pray in private – Evangelicals raise hell.

The President did not cancel the National Day of Prayer, he just didn't invite the usual self-righteous, right wing fundamentalists. This move merely shows that the religious neo-cons no longer control the White House. Amen!

This shows his contempt for tradition in American, what else would you expect from the Muslim. There will be no second chance for this community organizer / social worker non American elected president and his tax cheating staff, all we can do is wait until the 2010 election.

You may not want to believe in God, but he is real...or else why would there be so much discussion about a God who does not exist. America needs to wake up. God is not putting up with this blatant disregard for who he is much longer!!!!!!! OH THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

Proud to be a rabid right Christian, and always will be. Thankfully I don't need Obama to tell me when I can pray. Thankfully America is beginning to bless my people by persecuting the followers of Christ. Thankfully my God has written the laws and statutes of my life so that as the rising tide of hatred from the left continues I know what is right and what is blessed. Thankfully I am able to say that most of my life was blessed and good as this tide of destruction and putrid filth from Washington to LA fills with commonality of bestiality and no moral guidance, that once I knew and lived in a great country. Thankfully I believe in a God who is above all God's and who will not take it forever. His weapons are firer, floods, heat, cold, earthquakes, starvation, disease. His power will bend every knee. And all will pray.

It's about time! Finally a president observing the separation of church and State.

I am disappointed by the use of the words "tone down". If we all rely on prayer, why "tone down" the fact that we pray?

It can't possibly be about cost, because I and other tax payers just blew $329K on a photo shoot of the 747 that becomes Air Force One when the Prez is on board to fly over NY.

Every since prayer was taken out of school, and God has been taken out of everything else, this sad country has been in a decline morally and economically. People want to oust God so whatever they don't have to feel remorse for doing whatever there sinful flesh tells them is right. The bible said this time was coming, and here it is. Woe be unto America for stepping on the God who help to build this country, and is now taking it down, because it has forgotten HIM!

I stand by the President. Why do you have to make such a public display of your presumed faith? Whom are you trying to convince? You fake, christian hypocrites disgust me!

For those who think corporate, public prayer is not biblical, consider the following verses:

Acts 1:14
They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

Acts 2:42
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Acts 4:24 (New International Version)

24When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.

Eight years of the Bush administration, the 'ungodly' wars; the cultures of hate and sadistic punishments; the ugly and uncivilized treatment of women (marriage of an eight year old etc); are but a few of the accepted practices in countries whose questionable decisions often come under the umbrella of ....religion...! Faith is an extremely private matter. If one truly has a Faith, there is no need for a national celebratory day.

I seriously question those 'christians' who, as the above comments display, can come up with some pretty nasty name calling.

America, the Christian Right has got this country in the mess we are in today. You don't think that Bush And Cheney are religious do you ! They played that card because of their financial base and played the Religious Right like a violin to keep there support. How does it feel to be used my fellow christians !
****************************************************************

OBAMA is trying to be middle of the road .
HE cant make stance of his own on anything.

Liar, liar,liar...has contradicated everything he campaign for and I am amazed that you Democrats are such ROBOTS... let's see if cnn let's this comment go through

Religion has no place in the White House. Too bad ole W had to go!

Why is this not surprising. Obama is not a religious man, and his roots in Islam are still there. Obama is shunning the Christians that make up 95% of this country becasue he does not wish to anger the Muslims.

I am going to pray for all the religious zealots who are upset about Obama and the national day of prayer. I pray that someday they will see the light.

Ronald Reagan said it best!!!! "If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under." It doesn't get any better than that!!!!!

All you so-called "Christians" are giving us real Christians a bad name. Shut up and let each of us worship our God in our own way and not make a public display of it. The government has no business getting into religion on any level. Haven't enough people died over the centuries in the name of religion? Or do you want even more bloodshed? Obama is doing the right thing, much to your chagrin I am sure. You fundamentalists are a joke. If and when Christ comes again and begins to castigate you for your stupid beliefs, you would all yell to "crucify Him" once again, no doubt. Smarten up.

I have a simple question – if we truly believe in separation of church and state...WHY DO WE VOTE IN CHURCHES???

Separation of church and state is critical to the continued growth of our country. Once again President Obama has made the correct decision with regard to the many mistakes of the George W. Bush regime. Kudos to our President....

i cannot get over how many people on these boards actually care whether or not their president is a christian (and I'm fairly certain he is)

why was our nation founded again? history lesson, anyone!?

Prayer as a political leverage point is cowardly.

To pray for the welfare and peace of the world is a sign of compassion and does not need a presidential seal of approval.

Besides, I can't imagine this president assuming a position that he might think will offend the rest of world.

Seems Obama went to church for over 20 years with Rev Wright. Since hes been in the big house he won't even mention his GOD. Weird! and has not even gone to church. Of course while running for office he put it in their often. Makes us wonder....

Once again President Obama has made the correct decision to correct the mistakes of the George W. Bush presidency. Separation of church and state is critical for our diverse country. Kudos to our President....

All this thumping is giving me a headache...

Move to IRAN if you want religion in your government. You neocons would be surprised how closely your views match up.

Yay! Get your religion out of my government.

Applause all around. Let's hear it for the long overdue separation of church and state and a return to science at the core of policy, rationality at the core of diplomacy, and the proper respect for intelligence at the core of governmental discipline.

I beleive faith in God has a strong place in the American social fabric, BUT the modern day interpretation has been hijacked by hateful extremists manufacturing divisive issues to inflame their base and enrich themselves. Their religious nut job followers won't be happy anything short of a western version of Iran, with fundalmentalist preacher/mullahs dumbing down our kids with talibangelical nonsense (like intelligent design, homophobia, etc) in public schools/madrassa's.

I just wish we as Americans could stop all of this madness who prays and who does not. I know that Christians are not perfect people none of us are. But, I can understand after having a bad experience from his previous place of worship sometimes it takes a little longer to jump back in the water. (so to speak) like a bad marriage. Whether or not he pray in front of men is not important but, what the relationship President Obama have with God and Jesus as a Christian.

This nation was founded under Judaism Christian Values by the signing of the Declaration Of Independence and is therefore intertwined as part of this countries moral and LEGAL fabric whether you like it or not! Why are so many of you afraid of GOD? Got something to hide??

That's truly sad, President Obama. What does it hurt to set aside an hour or so a year to officially acknowledge or reflect on the fact that there IS something higher than us, whatever name we give it, or however we perceive it? Followers of ALL religions pray in some fashion!

And to all the liberal puppies, I say: When bombs fall all around you (as I experienced during WW II in Europe, and not being particularly "religious"), you PRAY - trust me!

Why would he, his plan is to have this nation as godless as the USSR. I love how the people who want us to keep our right of freedom of religion are religious extremists, yet those who want to abolish Christianity and want to make wearing a cross a crime are the so called tolerant and open-minded people.

This is an outrage!!! We know the Obamabot is really a Muslim. Muslims don't believe in God. I want to see his birth certificate!!! He was just doing what his teleprompter told him to do. Keep drinking the koolaid, liberals. You'll get yours when the rapture comes and it's coming soon!!! You don't think it's the end times but there are already signs: Swine flu plagues, A new Star Trek movie, Nucular bombs in the hands of terrorists, globalization, Paula Abdul's drug problem!!! Can't you see it? Have a nice day!

I still say he is anti-religion. Why else would he speak at a CHRISTIAN university and DEMAND that all religious symbols be covered?

What is even worse, is that the school complied instead of standing up for their beliefs.

Read Matthew 6 – as I am sure President Obama has.

"Praying" in meagachurches overseen by people who have made millions "selling" themselves as the ones who know the "answer"is hardly "religion". It is just another big business avoiding taxes.

Separation of church and state one of the building blocks of our constitution like individual freedoms and right to choose.

Thank you, Mr. President. All Bush did was pray and look where we are today.

I am all for separation of church and state, and feel that this is a good thing.

The GOP and neocons: the result of the deinstitutionalization movement in the 1980s.

Looks like the chicken has come home to roost.

Yep, it does.

Of course he would break with tradition and basically ignore National Prayer Day. Of course he demanded that all religeous symbolism be covered when he spoke at Georgetown. He doesn't want us to to be reminded that there is a power greater than Socialistbama. As far as he is concerned (unfortunately to many of his accolytes also) he is god the father and fullback Michelle is god the dauhgter. Anything that might take away from this aura must be ignored or discarded. He is not against religion as long as the religion has him as it's centerpiece.

Lets pray for the Rush limbaughs confederate wing of the party because their hate is virulent and need a cure.

Finally, a President that thinks our elected politicians should be prayin' LESS in the public arena and doin' MORE in the public arena for the Americans that elected them.
Enough prayin' already, get on with the job of governing not trying to convert me to your ideas of who god is using the government.

PS: I'm no bible expert but didn't I read somewhere that god said to pray in private and beware of those that pray in public, or something like that?

Is anyone really surprised? After all, according to some democrats, Obama can walk on water. Why pray???

Wow. O.k. conservatives. So let me get this straight. Obama is the anti-Christ but yet...a) Sarah Palin's daughter has a child out of wedlock. She's praised b/c she didn't abort the baby but no word on the sin of fornication, b) McCain cheats on his ill wife. That's o.k. c) Bush and Co. approve torture, wage a war that kills over 100 000 Iraqis (oh that's right they aren't Americans so who cares) and thousands of American soliders killed, for what???
Obama believes in abortion and the separation of church and State and he's the anti-Christ. Who made Republicans the judges of which sins God ranks as best to worse? Reading the blogs from the so-called 'Christian' Republicans here, it's no wonder your party is on the decline. RIP!

I hope he is the anti-christ. That means my trip to heaven is very soon.

What in the heck is National Prayer day anyway? This is America, people can pray any time they want. Oh but I forgot, "christians" feel the need to make a public display of faith.

Two questions:

1. What is the official purpose of the Day of Prayer?
2. Are there any scientific research results about success rate of prayers?

This is only bad to neo cons... Just doing what he said he'd do... Doesn't make him less Christian just because he doesn't choose to flaunt it to the world. We all have the rights and freedoms to do what we choose.. Deal with it.

Thank you President Obama. It's about time that our president and government focus on the business of GOVERNMENT, not religion.

The national day of prayer should be ABOLISHED! SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE! This would be different if this was the church doing all this, but when you involve the President signing things in it's name, then it violates the Separation!

The national day of prayer is based on lies anyway! Franklin suggested it during the constitutional congress and only like 4 said yes. Everyone was more EMBARASSED HE SUGGESTED IT! It is written in the notes of those there. There was no prayer then. This was created in the 50s by the religious right! KNOW YOUR HISTORY!

Keep the wall up Obama, keep minimalizing it and then GET RID OF THE GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT!

Pretty well known fact that he's anti religion. Now if he could go to Rev. Wrights prayer service, he'd be there in a heart beat!!

as it should be. your religion what ever it is doesn't belong as priority in my government. do that on your own time and follow your own moral compass.

That is all irrelevant. The demographic trends show that the USA will be a muslim country relatively soon.

Good for President Obama,this is a nation of many beliefs.I laughed so hard at Rush Limbaugh yesterday.He said he believed in God and Jesus,well so does the Devil, and its not buying him a ticket to heaven.

Of course he did. Don't want to upset his old buddies the Muslim Dictators.

The removal of Christmas as a federal holiday is next.

Who cares??? Even if Obama isn't religious, does this really matter? People can believe in whatever they want as long as your beliefs don't intrude on others.

A lot of the vitriol that is being spouted here isn't very Christian of you. Obama never said you have to follow his religious practices; he's simply not endorsing one particular religion on a particular day. It is National Prayer Day; not National Christian Day. It is a day of prayer for ALL religions that use prayer–after all, didn't you know that other faiths pray too?

hear hear! this IS why we elected him President? finally a President that doesn't just pay lip service to separation of church and state! you are still free to do what you will with the day, just as the constitution intended.

Good. We live in a Democracy. Not a Theocracy. You want to live in a Theocracy, move to Iran. Real Christians don't need a National Day of Prayer. They pray and live their lives according to the Bible EVERY DAY.

Sad!

right wing nut jobs are on the loose this morning.
If YOU want to pray, you have that right. Do it in your home, your church, NOT in the halls of government. That is for the PEOPLE'S business. Jesus said that his kingdom was not of this world, so why don't you "christians" get the heck OUT of government?
Nothing but the Taliban in a different robe.

Religion has no business in politics. This country is way to diverse for that.

This nation was founded on Christian beliefs and values, but the Church has given up that influence over the last few years. If the Church wants to continue to have a nation "under God" then we as Christians should start modeling what that relationship looks like. If we have something to offer, it should be the best thing out there, if it's not then we can't expect America to want to keep to the path it started on.

I guess kool aid drinkers is Rushspeak for those of us who believe in the Constitution, separation of church and state, and the true worth of every human being, not just those believe the same way they do. If that's the case, pass the pitcher, please. Of course with such a small percentage of the population who really believe the radical neocon/right wing religious zealot philosophy, it's not really anything to be concerned with!

I see no where in this article where it says the President didn't pray. Get a grip all of you looking for a reason to bash the poor man and his family. I take it as him separating church from state. Isn't that what all the athiests wanted? Geez

Thank God he's trying to solve our problems instead of relying on the big invisible man in the sky who created the universe 4,000 years ago. Sorry, folks but folklore and hocus pocus don't pay the rent. Have a blessed day!

Why do we have a National Day of Prayer?

Another Bush remnant that needs to be excised like a cancer....

I am one of the greatest supporters of President Obama and I have always supported him. However, this is the first thing he has done that I passionately disapprove of. I am also really disappointed. He should know better than to make such a move. This country needs God now more than ever!!!

Good for the President. Prayer should not be used as "slight of hand" as it was used by the Bush administration to hide crimes against humanity.

Obama better watch out. After all, church-goers are more likely to approve torturing him. Hypocrites.

Great, lets all pray real real loud and in public.

Wait, but what did Jesus say about this.

Book of Matthew Chapter 6
5
"When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
6
But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

Looks like these folks should read the bible first!

I can hear the right-wingnuts now: Obama hates God! This proves he's a muslim! He's trying to kick Christ out of the government! Where'd I put my tea bag?

We have separation of Church and State for a reason, people. It doesn't mean Obama's the anti-christ. Deal with it.

Let's continue to pray to God for the Obama administration and our nation.

I don't see why it's necessary to have ceremony for today. Prayer is for those who pray. I'm sure the President prays everyday and not just today.

He obviously doesn't want to offend the lib base that got/stole him his job.

Besides, I'm sure he and Rev. Wright still had their quiet time together.

Expect the word 'Muslim' to emerge on this board from the White Sheet Right 'Christians'.

AWESOME!! It's about time!!

That figures, he doesn't want to thank God for anything or pray for our country...

Wow! No one's left any nasty comments yet? No one's still trying to say he's a Muslim or Atheist?? I'm religious, but the economy is more important right now than picking on someone just because they won't have the ceremony. But that's just me, some people are simply too narrow-minded to look at the entire picture and weigh the pros and cons.

Of course he is. He is anti-religion.

As it should be, and for all you neo-cons that will jump up out of the pew screaming our money has "In God we Trust" on it, that was adopted in 1865-66, Eisenhower signed into law in 1956. We are country based on "christianity"

First show me anywhere where it states "In Christ we Trust", cannot find it? Then guess what we are NOT a country based on your "christianity" by the very definition of Christianity.

The USA declared it's Proclamation of Independence in 1776 on July 4th.

So, while entitled to your uniformed opinion, I am entitled to point out the facts.

Any questions?

obama hates God that is why is not holding a prayer service and obama knows that we christians and our prayers to Almighty God will frustrate his anti life, anti marriage, anti family and anti freedom agenda that is why he hates us christians and is trying to silence us but with Almighty God stand on His Word and and uphold His reputation and answer our prayers and defeat the evil liberal obama agenda

Kudos for the President who is wise enough not to mix Church with State.

Why?? Oh because he might lose a vote, I see.

This is what we elected him for. To move this country as far away from God as possible. Of course when some calamity strikes, we will see him and Biden gathered on the White House steps singing "God Bless America".

Yeah, this pretty much confirms all of the doubts that the American public had about his faith.

Is anyone surprised at this? What you expect from a president you says that this country does not consider itself as a Christain nation.

and who exactly does this surprise? it has been obvious from the start that o'bama doesn't regard religion as important – how many times have we seen him go to church in d.c.? if he can't go to a radical , rev. wright church he isn't interested – american people should be very afraid of his mind-set – he is scaring me more every day with his radical ideas trying to hide them behind his very fake smile!!!

I agree with Rush 100% on this issue. Powells' endorsement was purely based on race, not qualification. Rush is being proved right again with what the President is doing. Powell needs to switch
parties & become a Democrat just like Arlen Spector.

The President of the United States, a nation whose constitution led the world in getting religion out of politics, has no business making a public show of adherence to any religious tradition (or any unmber of religious traditions).
in Matthew 6:5-6, Jesus sets the example that President Obama is following; look it up, you "Christian" right-wingers.

separation of church and state.
thank you Mr. President.

Sounds about right. He said lots of nice things about religion during the campaign. But, when it comes down to it, he's no more religous than I. Seems to be a theme with him – say one thing, while doing another.

Regardless of what the mostly white Christian ayatollahs of the Republican Party (who want to create an undemocratic theocracy) may think or say, we are a secular nation where church and state are separated and where everyone is free to worship...or not...and still have the full protection of the US Constitution and US laws.

Thank goodness we finally have a president who believes in our laws and traditions and not a shallow, hypocrital weasel like George W. Bush, who lived a life of "sin" and failure and then conveniently repented in time to became a "compassionate" executioner both at home and abroad.

Good.

Each shall worship in his own way – there doesn't have to be hype and hoopla to pray.

thanks Mr. President. prayer is what saves our country and you want to tone it down!!!Maybe you should tone down Christmas or any other holiday. you are in control. as christians all we ask is one day to set aside and, of course which is not surprising, you want to tone it down!!! try that with another religious holiday and see what happens!!!

Pot is no worse than that other stuff they smoke which is legal. Make sure thay can't smoke it in public places. The Constitution gives states the right to coin gold. Is there no more gold in California. The Federal Government ought to
give the states money to balance their budgets. The Federal Government has the Constitutional power to coin and print and put numbers on a computer chip of money (Article 1, Section 8,). China has plenty of money that they
create. Why borrow money from China that they created
when we can create our own and not give China taxpayers money for intrest on money China created..

He's afraid of alienating the dope smokin' libs that make his base of support. Remember this is the same guy who says he attended services conducted by Jeremiah Wright for 20 years and seems to have never heard him speak.

Interesting that the _lack_ of a whoop-de-do is what makes the news. I guess Obama has actually _read_ Matthew 6, unlike some presidents I could name.

I think that what is being said may be off the mark.

After bush.............and all his days of prayer,while he and all his higher- ups conducted torture............................................................................

I think a little less says alot.

The 3 segments of gov. need to work. They will work.

Everyone that "truely" wishes to pray......pray. Do this everyday.....with out ceasing.....this is good.

Obama is doing what he feels is right.

Tones down National Day of Prayer, but takes up prime-time TV for his "100 Days of Me" speech. Watch for another prime-time show when he institutionalizes abortion on demand or frees terrorists.

Obama's priorities are so far outside Americas that if not for the culpability and subservience of the press, he would still be a flailing community organizer somewhere in Chicago.

All the kool-aid drinkers still believe him when he says he's a Christian?

Showing his true colors.

The devil has finally showed his face in the White House.

Who cares??? The Day of Prayer ceremony was strictly a political ploy used by the Bush Administration to make it look like he really loved God and all. Well it doesn't look like he was too Christian-like when he sure had no qualms whatsovever about taking human lives, American, and foreign alike. So I think Obama is right to either "tone down" or do away altogether with the "day" Prayer should be everyday, anytime, for everyone. And we should observe this day for all religions and people every day. Recognizing prayer is not about a "federal or political" holiday. It is about actually "living" it and respecting religious prayer for ALL people (not just Christians) in our daily, everyday lives.

We all knew where we were heading when he was elected. This is not good.

All the rabid right "christians" will now say President Obama is the antichrist and this is the beginning of the "End of Days". You should be rejoicing.

Were that to happen, all of you good “christians” would all be swept up in God’s “rapture”, oops I mean John Darby’s defined “rapture” my bad, but with the legions of the Party of NO gone, it would just be us heathens left to deal with plague, disease, pestilence and a number of those pesky Horsemen.

However, if you are not here, then the vision of the High Priestess of Heathens, Belinda Carlisle’s proclamation that “Heaven is a Place on Earth” will finally come to fruition!

Of course, after 7 blissful years, we may have to rejoin you religious fanatics and that by definition, would indeed be Hell!

You do believe, don't you?