Thanksgiving: more about God than Indians
“Why in the heck are you writing about Thanksgiving two weeks after the fact?” That’s a good question, my snarky friend.
It’s because a good friend recently mentioned that Thanksgiving was a “religious” holiday, something I hadn’t really considered before. Like most of us, I was schooled in my Thanksgiving history and I remember second grade pretty clearly. Even at home, besides a pre-dinner prayer, the day was more about turkey, pilgrims, helpful Native Americans, and a bountiful harvest.
A little research, though, shows that the holiday was literally created to thank God.
In 1789, George Washington started his Thanksgiving proclamation this way: “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 …” He didn’t just mention God, the entire proclamation was centered around a thankful prayer.
In establishing the day as a national holiday, Abraham Lincoln also made clear that this was a spiritual day, down to the official act of declaring the day “a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.” These weren’t just nods to a creator, but a day devoted to thanking Him. That whole “we’re thankful for the Indians who showed us how not to starve” idea didn’t warrant a mention by either president.
We’ve seen the secularization of the country throughout history on all fronts, something bemoaned or celebrated, depending on your viewpoint.
The most recent Thanksgiving proclamation by the president upheld many of our values. It thanked the Wampanoag people and the “good people” of America, specifically mentioning a wide range of citizens, including veterans, doctors, nurses, public servants, union workers, and teachers. But, by skipping any thanks to God, it stands in sharp contrast to proclamations of the past.
Americans, by and large, are good people, but we should ask: Can we maintain the strength and integrity of our values without the anchor of spirituality that once guided those values? Is a recognition of “goodness” enough to sustain them?
That’s not the same as reinstating religious doctrine into every aspect of life, but a broader question of the role spirituality plays in fortifying our collective moral framework. Can a society's moral compass maintain its true north in the absence of that?
A Hanukkah thought
Our Jewish friends and neighbors face a particularly trying time. The devastating attack at the core of their religious heritage has been met with a wave of hostility and hate closer to home – a stark reminder of the challenges they continue to face. We’ve seen too many un-American things here in America.
As Jewish families worldwide light their menorahs, it’s a good time to reflect on the broader message of Hanukkah. It's a powerful testament to the triumph of light over darkness, a principle that holds even greater meaning today. It underscores the importance of hope, peace, and understanding, especially in times of adversity. Now more than ever, we should all live by those values.
— Ken
Amazing! We just watched a movie by Rich Christiano that specifically talked about morality without a true authority. The movie was called "Time Changer" and had, among others, Gavin McCloud and Hal Linden in the cast. Amazing that we actually hear in the real world the same sentiments just two days after seeing the movie!
"Can we maintain the strength and integrity of our values without the anchor of spirituality that once guided those values?"
I like your use of the general term "spirituality" instead of the ofted-heard presumptions about specific deity-based beliefs, supernatural interventions, etc. Define "God" loosely enough and you'll get more buy-in -- even here in California. (I do expect His capitalization and gender to be challenged forthwith.)
"Is a recognition of “goodness” enough to sustain them?"
True Believers sustain their own, but are prone to invasive border-crossing with the imposition of doctrine on all. Religions, cults, and political movements all feed zealous adherents, for better or worse. "Goodness," kindness, and love are the truly sustaining sentiments. The greatest among these is love.
Since we're talking Thanksgiving, let me also put in a good word for abundance (as generated by our free market system.) Let's extend gratitude to the people who brought it here, and sustain the charitable goodness which encouraged them to share its benefits.
Our celebrations continue to change. Mine can do without the NFL, argument rituals, can-shaped cranberry molds, gluten-for-gluttons gravy, and the practice of serving dry white meat while stashing away the dark for leftovers. I'm grateful for family near and far, reruns of "Miracle on 34th Street", John O'Hurley's annual dog show narration, and a weekend when the streets of L.A. are traffic-free.