Hey, Mr. Obama, Ramadan Isn't the Only Sacred Day in August

[drakonyx]

President Obama hosted a dinner Wednesday at the White House in honor of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month during which devout Muslims fast during daylight hours. Obama used the occasion to honor the Muslims who were affected by and who responded heroically to the 9/11 terrorist attacks that happened 10 years ago next month: "Muslim Americans were first responders," on 9/11. "On this 10th anniversary , we honor these men and women for what they are - American heroes."

Don't get me wrong. I'm all in favor of recognizing and celebrating the Muslim holy month. But why should we ignore the Aug. 1 celebration of Lammas? I'd wager that more Americans come from a culture where Lammas was celebrated than mark Ramadan on their calendars each year. Moreover, the celebration of Lammas dates back to long before the establishment of Islam.

http://www.theprovocation.net/2011/08/hey-obama-ramadan-isnt-only-august.html

[CBGLuthier]

1. DELETE

[Firebrand Gary]

2. Someone to watch for permanent ban.

[ZombieHorde]

5. Why? nt

[Ineeda]

3. Don't get me wrong.

I respect Wicca, especially the Rede, but do you really want him to go there???

[MineralMan]

4. Yes, yes.....

Very subtle...

[MineralMan]

6. I'm happy for you, and imma let you finish, but...

the Gule of August is the best damned religious holiday ever. Then they named it Lammas, and nobody gives a shit anymore.

[struggle4progress]

7. If Obama recognized a religious holiday for every 0.1% of the population, he'd make about

20 proclamations a week about religious holidays

There's probably at least 0.1% of the population that would like to see the Assumption of Mary celebrated, and another 0.1% that would like the nation to remember the martyrdom of Polycarp, and another 0.1% that wants to remember the anniversary of Luther's 95 theses -- or the great Mormon trek west -- or Mary Baker Eddy's publication of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" -- or the death of Gurdjieff -- or the Heaven's Gate effort to intercept comet Hale-Bopp ...

[NMMNG]

8. Essentially you're saying some people don't count

because there aren't enough of them to matter? Only those groups that make up a certain percentage of the population deserve recognition and respect?* Wow. It's no wonder Christians feel so entitled, and have such a violent reaction whenever anybody else dare ask for, or receive, a piece of the action.




Of course, you realize, that if politicians didn't feel the need to pander to religious people this wouldn't be an issue at all?




*You are in good company. Many of the anti-gays claim it's not worth changing our laws to accommodate (they claim) a "mere 2-3% of the population".

[struggle4progress]

9. I'm saying I don't want the Prez proclaiming some religious holiday every 2 hrs on every weekday

all year long

[NMMNG]

10. What do you know

We agree on something.

[Goblinmonger]

11. I think your % on the Assumption of Mary is pretty low.

It is a Catholic Holy Day of Obligation. That should put the number well above 0.1%.

[struggle4progress]

12. Could be. I've never heard anyone suggest the President should recognize that Feast of Precept,

but maybe I just don't get out enough

:shrug:

[laconicsax]

13. As a practical issue, what's the cut-off point?

IIRC, there are more Buddhists than Muslims, and nearly the same number of Hindus as Muslims. Why only recognize the 3 Abrahamic religions when there are substantial numbers of other adherents?

[pokerfan]

14. As good an argument as any for separation of church and state

Once the government starts respecting certain religious organizations where does it stop?

"I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death." (George Carlin)