National Day of Prayer

The President shall issue each year a proclamation designating the first Thursday in May as a National Day of Prayer on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups, and as individuals.

-- 36 USC § 119 - National Day of Prayer

As noted here,  it is that time of the year again, some using it to promote a day of reason.  I covered this ground before, but suffice to say, this isn't the best way to render to Caesar what is Caesar's (as noted by a member of the clergy on Colbert the other day, see, even Jesus says to pay your taxes) and to God what is God's. If the President wants to encourage free exercise of religion, so be it, it's right there in the First Amendment.  Quite another to instruct him ("shall issue") to favor a certain type.

And, that is what this does.  It favors a certain type of religious practice and in fact singles out "churches," which is far from a neutral word objectively speaking.  Why not at least say "place of worship" is unclear to me. This stuff is sensitive, just ask Catholic groups that are upset when they think they are being wrongly targeted when many do not think so at the time.  In his proclamation, the President (Rev. Obama?) said "let us pray [and] ask God for the sustenance to meet the challenges we face as a Nation" though again ending on an admirable open stance:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 3, 2012, as a National Day of Prayer. I invite all citizens of our Nation, as their own faith directs them, to join me in giving thanks for the many blessings we enjoy, and I call upon individuals of all faiths to pray for guidance, grace, and protection for our great Nation as we address the challenges of our time.

He has be noticeably sensitive to that sort of thing, trying to be truly comprehensive.  That is appreciated.  Meanwhile, the Secular Coalition of America chose an interesting spokesperson, though it should not be a total shock ... Karl Rove alone is not exactly known for his religious beliefs.  Many in that Republican coalition -- cynically or not -- are not true believers in the evangelical sort of way.  The fact they are as united as they are shows some remarkable degree of skill really. Still, besides being natural after all, I can see the skepticism of many in the movement. 

As to the main subject of this post, I again realize that absolutism is not possible but find this sort of thing troubling.  But, given that, Obama handles it about as good as one reasonably can.