MommyofTwo84
04-18-2009, 04:29 PM
Amid the holy days for Christians and Jews this month, a new Newsweek poll shows that 62 percent of Americans consider the U.S. a Christian nation, a considerable drop from the 71 percent polled in 2005. Which means the hoofbeats of the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse can't be far behind, right? Hardly.
While the Newsweek poll shows a marked decline (although 62 percent isn't exactly a low number), it's interesting to see a growing openness among Americans toward other religions, starting at the White House.
Thursday, President Obama hosted what is believed to be the first president-hosted Seder at the White House to mark the Jewish holiday of Passover. (But like any dinner party, it didn't go off without a hitch; Politico reported that some Jews were calling the White House "wondering why they have not been invited.") Ahead of the Seder, the Obamas released a letter that sent their “warmest wishes to all celebrating the sacred festival of Passover.”
snip
Obama went on to state emphatically that "the United States is not and will never be at war with Islam." A recent Washington Post-ABC News poll shows that most Americans agree with the president's outreach to Muslims, even those with 'unsympathetic views' toward Islam.
(Interestingly enough, Washingtonpost.com also reports that as recently as last month, a Pew poll showed that 11 percent of Americans believe that — mistakenly — Obama is...Muslim).
But forget religion and politics and on to the important stuff: This Sunday is also the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. Continuing in the presidential spirit of openness, this year was the first time that tickets were distributed online, opening up the experience to egg rollers from all over the nation. (and saving people from having to stand in line all day to get tickets). The White House also allocated tickets for gay and lesbian parents, reports AP, and more than 100 same-sex parents and their children are expected to attend.
story here:http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/ynews_pl293
While the Newsweek poll shows a marked decline (although 62 percent isn't exactly a low number), it's interesting to see a growing openness among Americans toward other religions, starting at the White House.
Thursday, President Obama hosted what is believed to be the first president-hosted Seder at the White House to mark the Jewish holiday of Passover. (But like any dinner party, it didn't go off without a hitch; Politico reported that some Jews were calling the White House "wondering why they have not been invited.") Ahead of the Seder, the Obamas released a letter that sent their “warmest wishes to all celebrating the sacred festival of Passover.”
snip
Obama went on to state emphatically that "the United States is not and will never be at war with Islam." A recent Washington Post-ABC News poll shows that most Americans agree with the president's outreach to Muslims, even those with 'unsympathetic views' toward Islam.
(Interestingly enough, Washingtonpost.com also reports that as recently as last month, a Pew poll showed that 11 percent of Americans believe that — mistakenly — Obama is...Muslim).
But forget religion and politics and on to the important stuff: This Sunday is also the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. Continuing in the presidential spirit of openness, this year was the first time that tickets were distributed online, opening up the experience to egg rollers from all over the nation. (and saving people from having to stand in line all day to get tickets). The White House also allocated tickets for gay and lesbian parents, reports AP, and more than 100 same-sex parents and their children are expected to attend.
story here:http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/ynews_pl293