Today, President Barack Obama issued a proclamation designating January 16 as “Religious Freedom Day.” This is a standard, as each president over many decades has declared January 16 Religious Freedom Day.
On a personal level, while I absolutely respect and appreciate and honor the First Amendment, and the right of all Americans to practice their faith, to have faith, or to not have faith, at a time in our history where leaders of religious organizations, from the Pope to many (certainly not all) local pastors and rabbis have declared war on gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Americans and our families — while the vast majority of those these leaders claim to represent balk and find themselves both offended and conflicted — a declaration that will no doubt be misused, just as the Bible is misused — to attack and marginalize the LGBT community, smacks of contempt.
Perhaps some day our religious and secular leaders will all get together and agree to declare the LGBT community equal in every respect, deserving of the rights and responsibilities every heterosexual American is both born with and often accepts without a second thought.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release January 13, 2012
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM DAY, 2012
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
For nearly four centuries, men and women have immigrated to
America’s shores in pursuit of religious freedom. Hailing from
diverse backgrounds and faiths, countless settlers have shared
a simple aspiration — to practice their beliefs free from
prejudice and persecution. In 1786, the Virginia General
Assembly took a bold step toward preserving this fundamental
liberty by passing the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom,
which brought to life the ideal of religious tolerance from the
texts of the Enlightenment in the laws of state. On Religious
Freedom Day, we celebrate this historic milestone, reflect upon
the Statute’s declaration that “Almighty God hath created the
mind free,” and reaffirm that the American people will remain
forever unshackled in matters of faith.
Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, the Virginia Statute formed
the basis for the First Amendment, which has preserved religious
freedom for both believers and non-believers for over 220 years.
As our Nation has grown, so too has its diversity of faiths,
cultures, and traditions; today, individuals of rich and varied
beliefs call America home and seek to follow their consciences
in peace. Our long history of religious tolerance and pluralism
has strengthened our country, helped create a vibrant civil
society, and remained true to the principles enshrined in our
founding documents.
Our Nation is committed to religious liberty not only for
all Americans, but also for individuals around the world.
Internationally, we bear witness to those who live in fear of
violence and discrimination because of their beliefs. My
Administration continues to stand with all who are denied the
ability to choose, express, or live their faith freely, and we
remain dedicated to protecting this universal human right and
the vital role it plays in ensuring peace and stability for all
nations.
Today, as we reflect on the many ways religious freedom
enriches our country and our lives, let us lend our voice to all
people striving to exercise their innate right to a free mind.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in
me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do
hereby proclaim January 16, 2012, as Religious Freedom Day.
I call on all Americans to commemorate this day with events and
activities that teach us about this critical foundation of our
Nation’s liberty, and show us how we can protect it for future
generations at home and around the world.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord
two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.
BARACK OBAMA
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