Biden’s Thanksgiving Proclamation Sparks Debate on Religious Language Omission

Hands reaching toward sun and cross at sunrise.

Lincoln got it! Reagan articulated it! Why does not Biden seem to understand anything? Thanksgiving worship should be grounded in empirical knowledge. However, President Biden’s Thanksgiving proclamation for 2024 deviates from tradition by omitting references to God. This omission stands in stark contrast to Biden’s devout Catholic background and historical precedents.

Biden’s Proclamation Breaks Tradition

On November 29, 2024, President Joe Biden issued his Thanksgiving proclamation, which was notable for departing from long-standing tradition. The proclamation, which was issued alongside the pardoning of the National Thanksgiving Turkey named Peach, made no mention of “Almighty God” or “Divine Providence”. This omission has sparked concern and debate, especially given Biden’s well-known Catholic faith.

The absence of religious language in Biden’s proclamation contrasts sharply with the holiday’s historical roots. Abraham Lincoln, who declared Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863, emphasized the importance of thanking God in his proclamation. This religious foundation has long been a common theme in presidential Thanksgiving speeches.

Historical Context and Precedent

Religious language used in Thanksgiving proclamations has historical significance that cannot be overstated. Abraham Lincoln’s proclamation of 1863 established a precedent by explicitly attributing national blessings to divine providence. Lincoln cautioned against forgetting the divine source of these blessings, a sentiment that persisted throughout subsequent administrations.

“as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.” – Abraham Lincoln

Other presidents, such as Rutherford B. Hayes, carried on the tradition, encouraging Americans to gather in their places of worship to express gratitude to God. The practice of invoking divine gratitude in official Thanksgiving proclamations continued through the administrations of Ronald Reagan, George Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Donald Trump.

A Shift in Presidential Messaging

Biden’s 2024 proclamation is a significant departure from this long-standing tradition. While expressing gratitude to various groups such as first responders, healthcare workers, and military personnel, the proclamation made no mention of God. This change builds on a precedent set by Barack Obama in 2016, who also avoided direct references to the divine in his Thanksgiving message.

“No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.” – Abraham Lincoln

The decision to remove religious language from the Thanksgiving proclamation raises concerns about the changing nature of presidential communications and the place of personal religious beliefs in official government statements. It also reflects broader societal debates about church-state separation and the proper expression of faith in public office.

Implications and Public Reaction

The absence of religious references in Biden’s speech has not gone unnoticed. Critics argue that it deviates from the spiritual roots of the Thanksgiving holiday and American culture.

It must not be forgotten that the country’s foundation was laid by a religious congregation.

As the country considers this shift, there is ongoing debate about how public pronouncements should reflect personal religious beliefs and to what extent such beliefs should influence official government communications. The controversy over Biden’s 2024 Thanksgiving proclamation is unnecessary because all good things flow from Heaven.

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