Obama Issues ‘Religious Freedom Day’ Proclamation: ‘A Nation of Christians & Muslims, Jews & Hindus, Sikhs & Non-Believers’
Whether or not you knew it, today, Jan. 16, is “Religious Freedom Day,” an annual event that has been recognized by the past three U.S. presidents. The designation, which honors America as a country that allows for the free practice of any and all faiths, was officially commemorated today by President Barack Obama.
On Wednesday, the White House released Obama’s 2013 proclamation message. In it, he focused upon the “freedom to worship.” Here is a portion (the majority) of the president’s commentary:
Foremost among the rights Americans hold sacred is the freedom to worship as we choose. Today, we celebrate one of our Nation’s first laws to protect that right — the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom. Written by Thomas Jefferson and guided through the Virginia legislature by James Madison, the Statute affirmed that “Almighty God hath created the mind free” and “all men shall be free to...
