The Original Intent of Thanksgiving

[PureX]

The original intent is quite irrelevant.

These kinds of rituals morph over time as the cultures that engage in them also inevitably change over time change.

As it should be.

 

[Stonetree]

Happy Thanksgiving, all.

Perhaps you would agree that Thanksgiving isn't religious holiday any more for most, which is a good thing in my opinion. The modern form of the holiday is more inclusive than a religious holiday. One is always free to worship his god quietly and understand the holiday in religious terms while the irreligious sharing a table with him can enjoy the gathering and meal without prayers and religious references.

I find religious celebrations where I live, which is in Mexico, elevating. The major Christian holidays are still Christian.

Their Easter has no colored eggs or bunnies. They have an actor playing Jesus dragging a cross while being flogged on Good Friday, followed by a simulated crucifixion (these recreations are called passion plays). Easter day is spent at the parish church:

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It's preceded a week earlier by a Palm Sunday procession of Jesus marching into Jerusalem sing actual palm fronds. I've marched in one of those myself holding a braided palm frond:

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Their Christmas has no Santa or tinsel or tree. It has mangers, magi, and baby Jesus. Here's a pregnant Mary traveling with her husband in search of a place to have her baby (these recreations are called posadas; a posada is an inn). They reenact the couple being turned away at a few doors before being welcomed into a prearranged "manger" or inn, at which time those kids following break open a pinata:

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Their version of Halloween, though not a religious holiday for most English-speaking people and west Europeans, is a religious holiday celebrated on November 1-2 here called Dia de Muertos, where shrines are built to honor the memory of the deceased and Catrinas (women skeletons) are abundant:

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The Mexicans have no equivalent to Thanksgiving.

While most Americans enjoy a day off work, family gatherings, and a turkey dinner feast, I'd remind everyone that Thanksgiving was celebrated as a Christian holiday for many years before degenerating into the secular one we see today. Here's just a few words from the nation's first Proclamation for a Public Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer, October 3, 1789, by George Washington:

“Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor - and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God ...

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be - That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks - for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation - for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence ...

and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us. And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions ...to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue ...”

No separation of church and state there. Might I suggest that when enjoying the day and giving thanks for your blessings, be sure to credit and honor the right one responsible for those blessings.

When we thank another person for a favor they did or offered, we show gratitude and respect to that person. When we ritualize Thanksgiving, we display our humility and appreciation for some form of favorable situation that we believe exists. I see it as part of our human condition and older than any present-day philosophy or religion.

 

[IndigoChild5559]

While most Americans enjoy a day off work, family gatherings, and a turkey dinner feast, I'd remind everyone that Thanksgiving was celebrated as a Christian holiday for many years before degenerating into the secular one we see today. Here's just a few words from the nation's first Proclamation for a Public Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer, October 3, 1789, by George Washington:

“Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor - and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God ...

The day of Thanksgiving that Washington referred to was a single day, not a yearly holiday. Thanksgiving became a regular American holiday in 1863, due to Abraham Lincoln.

I'm not sure why you think it is a Christian holiday. I'm no expert, but I know of no day on any traditional Christian religious calendar that is a feast day for the sole purpose of giving thanks.

The religion of George Washington is very much up for debate, but it appears to be a combination of both Christian and Deist influences. Abraham Lincoln was not a Christian. He may have been of Jewish descent, and described his religion as "the ten commandments."

Remember that just because a person gives thanks to God does not mean they are Christian. As a religious Jew, I give thanks to God daily.

I think that a day set aside to express thanks is beneficial to all, Christian, Jew, Buddhist, Atheist... While I think it is important to nurture an "attitude of gratitude" as a regular part of one's day, there is something very special about doing so together as a nation.

 

[Guitar's Cry]

While most Americans enjoy a day off work, family gatherings, and a turkey dinner feast, I'd remind everyone that Thanksgiving was celebrated as a Christian holiday for many years before degenerating into the secular one we see today. Here's just a few words from the nation's first Proclamation for a Public Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer, October 3, 1789, by George Washington:

“Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor - and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God ...

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be - That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks - for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation - for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence ...

and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us. And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions ...to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue ...”

No separation of church and state there. Might I suggest that when enjoying the day and giving thanks for your blessings, be sure to credit and honor the right one responsible for those blessings.

I don't see any of that in the Constitution.

So I think you are looking for "seperation of the church and state" in the wrong place. George Washington was influential in our government system, but not the single source.