Much like the famous editorial, Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, it has become a tradition this time of year to see some newspapers reprint President George Washington’s Thanksgiving Day proclamation, it seemed appropriate to repeat here today:
George Washington’s 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation
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 the 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 sovereigns and nations (especially such as have show kindness to us), and to bless them with good 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.
I can’t hold a candle to the prose of our nation’s first president, but I can say that I’m thankful for the health of my family, that I still have employment in debt ravaged California, for the WUWT community of people that help with content and moderations, and visit here every day, and for living in an age where I can make friends (and enemies) instantly across the globe with the click of a mouse. – Anthony
pwl was hardly being “obnoxious” by pointing out that religion is the enemy of skepticism. Religious faith is the antithesis of skeptical inquiry.
Of course it isn’t surprising that colonial era politicians would attempt to give official sanction to Jehovah, considering that the vast majority of citizens (land owning white males) where Christian.
A few hours ago I ate Thanksgiving dinner with three Christians and two Muslims. They all prayed at the same time and pretended to be praying to the same deity for the sake of pleasant dinner conversation.
I have talked to each of them separately and of course they all slam each other’s “false god” behind each other’s back.
AGW proponents at least pay lip service to acknowledging rational inquiry as the only path to understanding the universe. Sadly this is only a cover for their pseudo-religious arrogance. Multiply their haughty smugness by 100 and you get an idea of how the average “believer” comes off to an atheist.
If thinking of Thanksgiving as a time for family and friends to come together to celebrate the fruits of their labors and their good fortune disturbs you, and instead you insist that it must be a religious celebration thanking Yahweh for feeding and clothing you then I fear you have missed what the rest of us consider the “true” value of the holiday.
From Ray Boorman on November 25, 2010 at 10:40 pm:
What, when it has long been the “enlightened” opinion that religion is a great tool to keep the unwashed masses under control?
Ah, what a world that’d be. No expectation of eternal reward for good deeds done that do not yield immediate secular benefits. No fear of eternal punishment, the “worst” that could happen to one is painless non-existence, and everyone is going to die anyway. What matters is only what you have when living, whatever power and wealth you can grasp with your own hands.
Only half? In short order the world overpopulation problem would be taken care of. Heck, most of the world’s population is mired in suffering and poverty, might as well do them a favor. Besides, resources are scarce, we have Peak Oil and Peak Everything-Else to worry about. Why send aid to third-world countries and help them develop? Those people are squatting on resources we may need, and there’s no benefit to developing your competition. Best course is to nip that problem in the bud, permanently.
It’d also help speed up humanity’s evolution, with the increased selection of the strong and/or clever over the weak. Also consider how much of modern medicine is devoted to extending the lives of those too weak to survive on their own, with perhaps-chronic conditions requiring more than a quick fix and short recovery, and frequently paid for by leeching the wealth of those who are most productive, especially in the case of providing for the elderly. Besides, modern medicine has gotten unnatural, with genetic engineering, and cures for cancer yielding dangerous nuclear waste, and pharmaceutical production generating deadly toxic chemical wastes, with drugs and their residues increasingly polluting our water supplies. When natural selection is again allowed free rein, much of the weakness that medicine coddles will be gone, and humanity’s genetic base will be winnowed, made stronger. For added benefit, favoring strength and speed will increase the general fitness of the population and do wonders to reduce the obesity epidemic.
Needless to say, that pesky (C)AGW problem will end up resolved as well.
Such a wonderful Green paradise it would be. Mankind once again living as the animals in Nature do, in tune with our Natural primal instincts, living as Nature intended! If we can get rid of these artificial constraints on our behavior long imposed upon mankind by false religion, those very constraints that we foolishly allowed to be the foundation of our civilizations throughout history… It would be glorious.
☻
For the Libertarians (like me) among us, please see this illuminating piece:
http://rayharvey.org/index.php/2010/11/the-real-history-of-thanksgiving/
From Lance on November 26, 2010 at 12:21 am:
And you have found it acceptable to come here and slam their “false god(s)” behind their backs. Noted.
Atheism is also against skeptical inquiry, as it is the absolute rejection of the possible existence of a divine being without appropriate scientific proof. The correct stance for the skeptical viewpoint would be agnosticism, neither confirm nor deny without solid proof either way, remain open to reconsidering a position when presented with new and/or better evidence.
Oh….PWL and Lance… we’ve GOTTA talk, guys.
I, too, was a skeptical ‘unbeliever’. Even if you don’t wanna know what I did which remedied that… I’m gonna tell you anyway. I ‘dared GOD’. I guess it was a ‘prayer’ ’cause that’s just talking to Him…and I DARED Him to prove His existence.
(Being hit by a 2/5 ton pine tree in Banff, Canada when I was 17, wasn’t even enough for me… The tree fell on my right shoulder while I was in a tent and at the point of impact – I blacked out. I woke with 200 lbs. of pressure across my lower back. It was heavy – but, I should breathe. Also – let it be noted… I had only one small nick on my chin (no band aid needed) where I hit the ground after impact.
Weeks later – I had forgotten all about the incident and went to my dentist. You can imagine my surprise when he said: “What HAPPENED to your BITE???” Now, I wasn’t in the position to actually talk at that moment, right? So, he continued: “Cynthia – your BITE has improved!!!”
Now, guys – THIS IS TRUTH. So……… he didn’t believe me till my mom walked into the office and again related the story of ‘me an’ the tree’… He then, ‘scientifically’ exclaimed: “Well…I’m not going to recommend that therapy to any of my other clients.” End of Story.
Now ~ while a word for ‘coincidence’ doesn’t appear anywhere in the original Hebrew old Testament, I didn’t KNOW Hebrew…..so even that didn’t dull my skepticism, so I do, indeed, empathize with you two. But, since you guys seem like you like empirical truth………. I’m gonna DARE YOU. It was a full 15 years after that tree hit me that I finally was rescued by JESUS. (does that name, offend??? Big Deal, if it does, ’cause it’s still Thanksgiving, and I’m gonna give truthful thanks this year, so please ‘get over it.) Now – here’s my DARE.
You two go and do what I did. Find a quiet place and DARE GOD to prove that HE exists. Do what I did. DEMAND ‘out loud’ that HE show Himself to you, and to prove that Jesus Christ is LORD. Ohhhhh….guys…. He loves you just like He loves me and that’s why I’m daring you. Do it. Place your immense intellect against the God of the Universe and just ASK HIM to give you a ‘one on one’, okay???
Then………….if you dare. Sit back and wait. If you are as lost as I was……..it shouldn’t take much time for your requests to come to fruition. If you have the guts – gentlemen…..(I’m presuming) go on and dare Him to make Himself known. And – if you choose to do it – just remember that if things get ‘scary’ call out for Jesus. He’ll handle the rest. (I’ve known Him for 20 years now……and He’s the ONLY ONE who has never ‘ever’ let me down.)
This comment – should you choose to accept its ‘dare’, will be the harbinger of the greatest Gift you two could EVER receive. And……..hahaha………you’ll even be able to keep those egos of yours, too.
Remember now, this is a FORMER skeptic writing this and I’m DARING you, right now fellas……. Wanna give it a ‘go’, as us Aussies say???
Praying for you both – Cynthia Lauren Thorpe
Thanks, kadaka.
pwl, Lance, Boorman: thanks also. Spend a few hours with Dr. Godwin at onecosmos blog: you will find great opportunities for the energetic agnostic. Atheists may discover perplexity.
@kadaka
“Atheism is also against skeptical inquiry, as it is the absolute rejection of the possible existence of a divine being without appropriate scientific proof”
Argumentum ad Ignorantiam
and shifting the burden of proof
thats just sad
Desiderata
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy. Be thankful.
I believe in the faith of elephants. Now that’s a spiritual life you can hang your hat on. Anyone watching elephants visiting a boneyard or saying goodby to an elephant that had died during migration is a study in the quiet ways of honoring both life and death. Absolutely amazing to watch. That we haven’t seen it in other animals could be due to the fact that we haven’t looked for it.
David, UK:
Loved that link about Plymouth. Must get a copy of the books referred to in the post. My grandparents raised me. I grew up on an old ranch in NE Oregon. I thought we lived in the lap of luxury. Grandma grew so many veggies, caught so many fish, and along side her man shot so many birds, deer, and elk, that she had to rent freezer space from not one but 3 different grocers. We ate like hogs. And we ate hogs too. She was also a fabulous seamstress and could make sturdy jeans out of Grandpa’s old bib overalls. Both were also well educated and quite worldly in their outlook. I absolutely treasure the education I got from these two folks.
Anthony Watts says: November 25, 2010 at 10:21 am
Climate change could one day affect the cost and quality of dishes traditionally served for Thanksgiving Day dinner, suggests a recent paper in the journal Food Research International. Pasty, dry turkey meat along with expensive fruits, vegetables and potatoes could be on the horizon if more variable extremes in regional weather patterns continue as a likely result of climate change, indicates author Neville Gregory. The usual star of the Thanksgiving Day feast, roast turkey, could suffer in quality as a result.
I’ve hunted native turkeys from Texas, Alabama, to the southern reaches of S. Dak., Mon. etc. None further north, (excepting coastal states). It’s very obvious that climate change will restrict the turkey range. Colder, that is.
The genetic modification of turkeys, scientifically, is restricted to simple Mendelian genetics. They breed this tom with that hen.
Pamela Gray says:November 25, 2010 at 11:08 am
Real turkeys are very hardy and can withstand all kinds of bad weather, cold or hot. At issue is what people are used to. People are used to big breasted, genetically engineered Toms.
genetically engineered Toms means sexually crossed. But I’ve seen a few hens that were big breasted. ;~P
Happy over-eating recovery day!
rtgr said on November 26, 2010 at 6:00 am:
I concur. From Wikipedia:
I specifically chose the third option, referred to as agnosticism, as correct for the skeptical viewpoint as there exists insufficient scientific evidence to conclusively argue either way. I am unaware of any rigorous reputable scientific investigations into either side. I am aware of the limits of technology in detection, how we freely accept the existence of things undetectable thousands or even fifty years ago. We even accept things not directly detected because the prevailing theories say they exist, based on other evidence supporting those theories.
We currently have insufficient scientific evidence of either the absence or presence of a divine being. To assume a position on either side, perhaps while saying the science is settled, must be an act of faith by definition. To insist either side must be true would indeed be an argumentum ad ignorantiam.
While I totally agree with you, Kadaka –
I think we can agree that having to exercise ‘faith’ is the key here.
Men (and, Yes. Women, too) exercise Faith in either a supreme Being – or they want to become that Being – and therefore, they worship themselves. I therefore align myself with those (from the beginning of time) who have been apprehended by a Being greater than myself and my intellect (which, Yes. If Truth is told – I did used to revere.)
Therefore, I – ‘in total love and truth – extend my ‘dare’ to all of you who haven’t as of yet – been thus apprehended. Rather than throw ‘pot shots’ at other humans – as is often done – have the balls/guts to take on the Big Guy, Himself. Ignoring the state of the human soul’s bankruptcy without God demeans any claim that one possesses
any semblance of intellect. Shame on you sillies…but, this soul isn’t gonna ‘bash you’ or make you conform to some behavior I’ve drempt up, for……I too, love my Freedom
and I believe you may, too…so…………..GO FOR IT and place your angst where it will yield the most. Go to your Creator in the privacy of your own heart and argue your case. All the other garbage you spew is truthfully none of anyone else’s concern, for your life is your own.
God bless you, regardless – those of you who are now exposed as cowards, should you not take up my challenge.
C.L. Thorpe
I can’t help it… as long as we continue to toss around a dead language, as well…….. my all time favorite is:
Illigitimi Non carborundum.
That one, really helps me.
C.L. Thorpe
Want ‘Proof’ of God’s existence? (rather than examining His Creation?)
I was walking away from the computer and David Wilkerson’s newest comment just came in. I ask any of you still on this site – to read it. He’s the guy who had the guts to hang out for Christ in NYC in the 70’s with Nicki Cruz et al.
If you research who this guy is, this commentary should put to rest all anxiety for those who love Truth.
Thorpie
—————————————————————
A CRY FROM THE HEART
I believe God’s merciful love is revealed in response to a cry from the
heart—not just any cry, but a humble cry for deliverance. The Bible has much
to say about this cry from the heart. “In my distress I called upon the Lord,
and cried unto my God; he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came
before him, even into his ears” (Psalm 18:6).
“Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and
were brought low for their iniquity. Nevertheless he regarded their affliction,
when he heard their cry” (Psalm 106:43-44).
You can be sure that a cry to God will always be answered by a healing word
from heaven! No one is too wicked or too hopeless if he reaches out to God in
humility. The story of the wicked King Manasseh proves it! The Bible says he
was one of the most wicked kings of Israel. “And he did that which was evil in
the sight of the Lord… For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah
his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal…and worshipped all
the host of heaven, and served them…. And he made his son pass through the
fire…and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards; he wrought much wickedness
in the sight of the Lord” (2 Kings 21:2-6).
“So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do
worse than the heathen.… And the Lord spake to Manasseh, and to his people;
but they would not hearken” (2 Chronicles 33:9-10).
Is there hope for someone who gets so far from God, so possessed by evil and
darkness? Yes, if he will humble himself, and confess and believe Christ’s
victory at the cross. Manasseh ended up a prisoner in a foreign nation, bound
with chains. What a vivid picture of the wages of sin. But in his affliction,
he cried out and God heard him, forgave him, and restored him.
“And when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled
himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed unto him; and he was
entreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to
Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God” (2
Chronicles 33:12-13).
“And he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the
Lord, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the
Lord, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city” (v. 15).
The word of hope, forgiveness, mercy, love and restoration is for you! Heed his
Word, repent, and then be made whole and walk with the Lord! There is no sin
that can’t be forgiven—no one is too far down to be healed and restored.
—————————————————–
The ‘dare’ I gave IS the cry of a human heart. Try it sometime.
Wild turkey populations are rather vulnerable to persistent rains. Hens don’t make nests, not really, mostly just a grouping of eggs on bare ground. The chicks that do hatch often succumb to cold rains. Though turkeys will breed into summer, if the rains continue to pound down, the hatch will be especially poor. That has happened in Mizzourah & Awkinsaw the last three spring/summers and populations have dropped. The Arkansas Game & Fish Commission has cut the month long season and bag limit in half.
The little ice age began with loads and loads of rain btw.
Quail populations are down also. Except for deer, in many regions [self snip] near everything is down population wise. Except…
There seem to be too many predators. Including feral and non-feral house cats.
Well hold on there pardner.
So y’alls go and read George Washington’s proclamation again.
What he proposed was a ONE TIME EVENT. (A well deserved one); but he did NOT decree Thanksgiveing Day as the Third Thruseday of each November.
I believe that it fell to President Abraham Lincoln to make Thanksgiving a perpetual holiday; perhaps the most truly American of holidays. But the legal disclaimer. There basically has never been any organized society or civilization from even the most primitive; that has not observed some sort of “harvest festival” kind of celebration. The dawn of “thanksgiving” goes back almost to the beginnings of homo sapiens.
But check your history books.
Better yet; check with “Doctor History” aka http://www.DrCharlieSelf.com
He knows more history than I thought there was.
“”””” kadaka (KD Knoebel) says:
November 25, 2010 at 6:36 pm
From Peter S on November 25, 2010 at 5:20 pm:
pwl – I’m not sure how you intended to come across. Probably not obnoxious, but you managed it anyway.
I agree, he managed it. Spectacularly.
Picking an argument with a 221-year old proclamation that used the expected language of the time? What’s next? On the Fourth of July he’ll complain about the Declaration of Independence, saying how man was endowed with those certain inalienable rights by… no one? They just happened? “””””
Well actually the Declaration of Independence says UNalienable rights.
And actually what WE were endowed with, was the same darn thing, that ALL other living things were endowed with; namely the opportunity to scrap with every other living thing in whatever manner we found beneficial to our continued existence.
And those that adopted effective survival behavior, tended to survive; absent major catastrophes beyond adaptation.
Mother Gaia calls it the “Survival of the fittest.” That is what we were endowed with. And you don’t need a whizzbang bomb designing super computer to discover that wasting precious resources on the unfit, is to drive the system in the direction of non-survival.
So Mother Gaia, would let the sabre-toothed tigers eat the lame and the blind; and anything less than the fittest; just as she does in virtually every other situation. Even the old growth forest is a war zone with fig vines or Rata vines attacking mature trees, and slaughtering them; even though at a speed that makes watching the grass grow into a drag race.
So who was it that decided that MAN does not live by bread alone. That blind person with enhanced other senses could be a wonderful organist, and make the pipes sing or shudder at his/er whim; and many of them have.
How about Steven Hawking; whom even the crows would make a meal out of.
Those whom Mother Gaia would choose to sacrifice to the “Survival of the fittest” have been protected and nurtured to the extent of their needs; so that they too could participate to the best of their abilities and desires; perhaps in the performances of a Stevie Wonder.
So who was it that decreed that ALL men are created equal. IT WAS US ! That’s what make US Human; that we risk destabilizing Mother Gaia’s delicate balance of survival; by “wasting” precious resources, on those less fortunate, who contribute to OUR lives and well being in other ways, than making better hula hoops.
How sad it is to simply say “god did it.”
NoWE did it; and we are better for it, that we hold out a hand to those less fortunate.
And what of our religious traditions ? Is that not a classical example of the “precautionary principle” ? We better believe in a supreme being and a hereafter; because if we don’t and it turns out we are wrong; we are going to catch hell after we take our last breath. Some of us do good things (for others); but do we do it because it’s just the right thing to do as Humans; or do we do it to rack up brownie points or gold stars, in the hereafter. Is that not the purest form of abject selfishness ?
So I prefer to think that it was Humans; and certainly some before the American Declaration of Independence; who decreed that “all men are created equal” and by the fact of our birth; we are born with all of our rights; not granted by any government; or any supreme dictator who gave the rest of living species along with us, the law of the survival of the fittest.
Religion in my view is the single greatest scourge to ever inflict the human race. But the framers of our Constitution had the good sense to declare that the Congress shall make NO LAW respecting the establishment of religion; nor PROHIBITING THE FREE EXERCISE THEREOF !
There is NO mandate of separation of church and state; simply the state can’t promote a state church or religion.
But we differ from the animals and other species, in that only we are willing to reserve sustenance as needed for those unable to fend equally for themselves; but who enrich ALL of our lives in other countless ways.
Well said. VERY VERY well said.
I could NOT agree more.
Thank You for your lucid synopsis, George.
While Thanksgiving ‘the day’ has passed – I’m continuing my personal Thanksgiving…
and you’re gonna be part of what I thank GOD for as this… this world of ours seems to be splitting at it’s emotionally charged seams. I thank GOD for all of you of integrity who are lovers of Truth. There’s NOTHING BETTER.
Let’s hope that while Chris Monckton skewers those silly folks in Cancun with Truth ~ that others of us from all over the globe get into our proper places to bless others.
C.L. Thorpe
And……George? You’re right. I thank Lincoln for assigning the last Thursday in the month of November as Thanksgiving.
C.L. Thorpe