Harper West
Former US President Barack Obama has attended and spoken at the National Prayer Breakfast, an annual event held in Washington, D.C., usually on the first Thursday of February. However, there were instances when Obama chose not to participate in certain prayer events, such as the National Day of Prayer and a Catholic prayer breakfast, which led to criticism and accusations of religious bias. Obama's attendance at a prayer breakfast hosted by a secretive Christian evangelical group also sparked controversy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year Obama refused to attend a prayer breakfast | 2009 |
| Month Obama refused to attend a prayer breakfast | May |
| Day of the week Obama refused to attend a prayer breakfast | Thursday |
| Name of the prayer breakfast Obama refused to attend | National Day of Prayer |
| Obama's religious beliefs | Christian |
| Obama's actions regarding the National Day of Prayer | Issued a proclamation |
| Obama's attendance at the National Prayer Breakfast | Spoke several times |
| Obama's attendance at the Easter Prayer Breakfast | Attended and spoke |
| Obama's attendance at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast | Refused to attend |
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What You'll Learn
- Obama did not attend a Catholic prayer breakfast in 2009
- Obama was criticised for addressing a secretive Christian group's prayer breakfast
- Obama's attendance at the National Prayer Breakfast was in line with presidential tradition
- Obama was accused of cancelling the National Day of Prayer
- Obama attended the National Prayer Breakfast in February 2009
Obama did not attend a Catholic prayer breakfast in 2009
In 2009, President Barack Obama did not attend a Catholic prayer breakfast, marking a National Day of Prayer. Instead, he signed a proclamation honouring the day. This caused some controversy, with critics claiming that Obama was distancing himself from the National Day of Prayer and that he was rejecting the concept that America is a spiritual nation with a Judeo-Christian foundation. Obama's press secretary, Robert Gibbs, stated that the president was simply reverting to pre-Bush administration practices. He also said that Obama would observe the National Prayer Day privately, as he prays every day.
Obama's absence from the Catholic prayer breakfast was not an isolated incident of a president not attending a prayer breakfast. In fact, in 1989, President Clinton did not host any special observances for the National Day of Prayer. Furthermore, Obama's predecessor, George W. Bush, did not attend the National Prayer Breakfast in 2006.
Despite criticism from some quarters, Obama did participate in other prayer events during his presidency. Notably, he spoke several times at the National Prayer Breakfast, reflecting on his Christian faith. Obama also hosted a Passover Seder at the White House, marking the first time a president had hosted that Jewish religious meal.
In addition, Obama talked about his faith annually at the White House Easter Prayer Breakfast. He was also involved in other religious events, such as bowing his head during the closing prayer at the Easter Prayer Breakfast in 2015.
While Obama did not attend the Catholic prayer breakfast in 2009, it is important to note that every American president since Dwight D. Eisenhower has participated in the annual National Prayer Breakfast. This event, founded by Abraham Vereide, is typically attended by around 3,500 guests, including international invitees from over 100 countries.
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Obama was criticised for addressing a secretive Christian group's prayer breakfast
While Barack Obama has attended the National Prayer Breakfast, he has been criticised for addressing a prayer breakfast hosted by the Fellowship Christian evangelical group. Obama was criticised by ethics and gay rights groups for attending the event, which was run by an organisation characterised by critics as a secretive, elitist group that wields influence through religious gatherings sometimes funded by defence contractors and foreign powers. The Fellowship is headed by Doug Coe, who critics say has praised the organising abilities of Hitler and Osama bin Laden. The group also operates the C Street House on Capitol Hill, which serves as a rehabilitation centre and retreat for ethically troubled members of Congress.
The National Prayer Breakfast is a yearly event held in Washington, D.C., usually on the first Thursday in February. It has taken place since 1953 and has been attended by every American president since Dwight D Eisenhower. The event is designed to be a forum for the political, social, and business elite to assemble and pray together. While the main event typically features a speech by the President of the United States, the identity of a second special guest speaker is kept confidential until the morning of the breakfast.
Despite criticism, Obama defended his attendance at the National Prayer Breakfast, stating that it was an opportunity to reflect upon his own Christian faith. Obama has also spoken about his faith annually at the White House Easter Prayer Breakfast. In addition, Obama has issued a National Day of Prayer proclamation every year since 2009, although he did not publicly participate in the celebration. This decision led to criticism from some who felt that Obama was rejecting the concept that America is a spiritual nation with a Judeo-Christian foundation.
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Obama's attendance at the National Prayer Breakfast was in line with presidential tradition
The National Prayer Breakfast is an annual event held in Washington, D.C., usually on the first Thursday of February. It has taken place since 1953 and has been attended by every American president since Dwight D. Eisenhower. Barack Obama's attendance at the National Prayer Breakfast was, therefore, in line with presidential tradition.
Obama attended the National Prayer Breakfast multiple times during his presidency. In February 2009, he gave a speech at the event, and he also spoke at the breakfast in 2011, 2016, and 2010, when he reflected on his Christian faith. Obama's attendance at the National Prayer Breakfast was criticised by some, who argued that the event was organised by a secretive Christian evangelical group. There were also calls for Obama to boycott the event due to the group's alleged association with a Ugandan politician who supported anti-gay legislation.
Obama did, however, distance himself from the National Day of Prayer in 2009. He did not attend a formal early morning service or a large Catholic prayer breakfast the next morning. Instead, he issued a proclamation honouring the day and prayed privately. This decision was criticised by some, including the National Day of Prayer Committee, who expressed disappointment in the Obama administration's lack of participation.
Despite this, Obama's attendance at the National Prayer Breakfast overall reflected a continuation of presidential tradition. His presence at the event, along with his speeches reflecting on his faith, aligned with the practice of American presidents since the 1950s.
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Obama was accused of cancelling the National Day of Prayer
In 2009, President Barack Obama was accused of cancelling the National Day of Prayer. Obama did not hold a public service in the White House as his predecessor, President George W. Bush, had done. Obama also did not attend a large Catholic prayer breakfast the next morning. Instead, he issued a proclamation honouring the day and stated that he would pray privately.
The National Day of Prayer Committee, chaired by Shirley Dobson, expressed disappointment in the Obama administration's lack of participation. Dobson emphasised the importance of prayer, especially during challenging times in the country's history. Some evangelicals and conservative commentators claimed that Obama was trying to remake America into his own image and reject the concept that America is a spiritual nation founded on Judeo-Christian values.
However, the accusation that Obama cancelled the National Day of Prayer is false. While Obama did not publicly participate in the celebration, he recognised the day and issued an official proclamation in 2009 and every subsequent year during his presidency. Obama has also spoken at the National Prayer Breakfast in February multiple times, reflecting on his Christian faith. In 2010, when a federal judge ruled the event unconstitutional, the Obama administration affirmed that the president still intended to recognise the National Day of Prayer.
Despite the clarifications, the false claim persisted, spreading on social media platforms like Facebook. Organisations like PolitiFact, FactCheck.org, and Snopes have repeatedly debunked the claim, emphasising that Obama did not cancel the National Day of Prayer.
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Obama attended the National Prayer Breakfast in February 2009
In February 2009, President Barack Obama attended the National Prayer Breakfast and delivered a speech. The event was held at the Washington Hilton, with a crowd of several thousand people in attendance, including international invitees from over 100 countries.
Obama began his speech by reflecting on his personal religious background, noting that he was not raised in a particularly religious household. He mentioned his father, who was born a Muslim but became an atheist, his non-practicing grandmothers, and his mother, who was skeptical of organized religion but embodied the values of kindness and spirituality. Obama shared that he became a Christian later in life, influenced by his work with church groups in Chicago that were dedicated to helping neighbors in need, regardless of their background.
He emphasized the importance of faith in promoting a greater good and bringing people together. Obama acknowledged the presence of foreign leaders at the event, including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who delivered the keynote address. He highlighted the power of faith to unite people despite their differences and encouraged using varied beliefs to feed the hungry, comfort the afflicted, make peace, and lift up those in need.
Obama's speech also included prayers and reflections on the role of faith in society. He prayed for God's protection for those around the world who are not free to practice their faith and advocated for religious freedom. He emphasized the importance of seeking common humanity and ensuring that politics and public discourse reflect a spirit of love and sound mind. Obama concluded by asking for prayers for himself, his family, and for the continued perfection of their union.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Obama refused to attend a Catholic prayer breakfast in 2009. Obama was criticised for his non-attendance of the event, with some saying he was rejecting the concept that America is a spiritual nation. However, Obama did attend the National Prayer Breakfast in February 2009, and has attended and spoken at the event several times since.
No, Obama did not cancel the National Day of Prayer. While Obama did not hold a public service in the White House, he issued a National Day of Prayer proclamation in 2009 and every year after.
Obama was criticised for his non-attendance of the Catholic prayer breakfast, with some saying he was rejecting the concept that America is a spiritual nation. However, Obama's press secretary, Robert Gibbs, said that the president was simply reverting to pre-Bush administration practice.
