https://apnews.com/article/trump-prayer-gathering-conservative-christians-nationalism-c677a4c43070e9da261f4ec5ebcf62a4

https://www.whitehouse.gov/freedom250/america-prays/

The gathering has been organised by the White House as part of a programme of celebrations for America’s 250th birthday and, in a video message inviting Americans to attend, Hegseth said it was an opportunity to “rededicate this republic to God and country”.

Muscular Christian nationalism has enjoyed a prominent platform since Trump’s return to power, and evangelicals form a core element of the president’s support base.

I thought America was a secular state?
A secular state is an idea pertaining to secularity, whereby a state is or purports to be officially neutral in matters of religion, supporting neither religion nor irreligion.[1] A secular state claims to treat all its citizens equally regardless of religion, and claims to avoid preferential treatment for a citizen based on their religious beliefs, affiliation or lack of either over those with other profiles.

  • Bwaz@lemmy.world
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    12 hours ago

    Can’t travel there and I’m not muslim. But if I could, I’d show up with a prayer rug and FSM teeshirt, and kneel facing Mecca while loudly making noises.

    • tomiant@piefed.social
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      2 hours ago

      Satan brought us light, fire, and knowledge. What did the Abrahamitic god ever do for US??

  • CharlesDarwin@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    They need to do this from their closet.

    At least according to their own text.

    https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/mt/6.html?v=6

    And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

    6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

    • Omgpwnies@lemmy.world
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      11 hours ago

      Priests read this as gospel at mass where everyone shows up to pray in public and will 100% gossip behind your back if you miss a Sunday or don’t look like you’re praying hard enough while there.

      • CharlesDarwin@lemmy.world
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        9 hours ago

        I’m so glad I live in a part of the United States where I just don’t have to give a fuck about picking the “right” church and doing the “right” things there. I have to pay as much attention to that shit as I do to how much someone loves Harry Potter series vs. Star Wars.

        Though apparently that is a huuuuge thing in certain parts of the U.S., notably, the South.

        My view is that religion and all its little rules and rituals are for those that have adapted that lifestyle. Since I live in a secular nation, I don’t have to give two farts in a high wind about any of it.

    • backalleycoyote@lemmy.today
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      2 days ago

      They were “persecuted” in the same manner the modern fundamentalist calls being told to respect the boundaries of others and coexist with different people “persecution”. In an era of religious extremism, the Puritans were so fucking obnoxious even the other Protestants didn’t want them around. It’s a national myth, loosely based on a kernel of truth but twisted to fit the broader idea that Christians, especially the fundamentalist ones, are a victimized, persecuted minority when they don’t get to use their religion as an excuse to force their bigotry, misogyny, homophobia, and values on everyone else.

      • thethunderwolf@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        2 days ago

        bigotry, misogyny, homophobia, and values

        misread this as bigotry, misogyny, homophobia, and wolves

        what might that mean???

        • backalleycoyote@lemmy.today
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          2 days ago

          Well cuz, I think you’ve just got canines on the mind. I know they’d like to think of themselves as pack leaders or lone survivors, but the Lord is their shepherd and we all know what shepherds look after. Care for some mutton?

    • Auli@lemmy.ca
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      2 days ago

      What happened to separation of church and state. Which was always funny since they have in god we trust on their money.

  • OldChicoAle@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    EPSTEIN FILES!!! OMG THEY TORTURED, RAPED, AND KILLED CHILDREN. Fuck your stupid prayer. Only the most depraved demon would answer any of their prayers. Also, I hear they ate people too.

  • Pat_Riot@lemmy.today
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    2 days ago

    Matthew 6:5

    “And when you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they will be seen by people. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.

  • dizzle18@lemmy.zip
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    2 days ago

    Oh dear sweet baby Jesus, please reach down from the heavens above and make this motherfucker’s heart explode. There. I prayed.