Hallo Friends, This is George Washington's proclamation establishing Thanksgiving Day in the United States. Please note that Washington speaks towards the end of the proclamation of "true religion" which I define and I believed he and all reasonable folks define as that personal relationship one has with what I choose to call ones maker (God) but others may call something else as in the case of "humanists" or "atheists", such as reason, morals, virtue, whatever. I believe Washington's definition would be similar to mine but I could be wrong. Each of us has different understanding and abilities and predilictions which is determined by many different things. It is neither wise nor advisable to look down upon, despise or discount the belief system or lack of one of another person or culture. It is far better to work towards mutual understanding and cooperation. We are only able to do and act upon our own understanding. There may be only "one way" but that one way applies, as near as I can tell, to each of us as individuals and where differences appear in name and form the substance may remain the same.
I and my way are no better than Todd and his way. They are different but they work for each of us. We can only do the best we are able and ones best is all we can reasonably ask of each other. My response to Allen's essay was not meant to either uphold or discount the basic argument (which I happen to agree with in general) but to merely correct a proposition I knew to have been false. I would hope that if I were to make such an error that someone would point it out to me, and believe me some have at times. :o) My interest is in the truth and accuracy not in winning a debate with Todd or being hurtful or resentful. I hope that is understood by the list members, particularly Todd, as I have a great respect for him and his abilities. Truth matters. Words matter. Reason and reasonableness matter. Happy Happy, Gustl ******** The proclamation, reprinted below may be found at the following website: http://gwpapers.virginia.edu/thanksgiving/transcript.html The Thanksgiving Proclamation New York, 3 October 1789 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Introduction | The Proclamation | Handwritten Letter | Editorial Apparatus [New York, 3 October 1789] By the President of the United States of America. a Proclamation. 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 especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness." 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 which we experienced in the tranquillity, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted--for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath 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 enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness onto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us--and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best. Given under my hand at the City of New-York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789. Go: Washington -- Je mehr wir haben, desto mehr fordert Gott von uns. ******** We can't change the winds but we can adjust our sails. ******** The safest road to Hell is the gradual one - the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts. C. S. Lewis, "The Screwtape Letters" ******** Es gibt Wahrheiten, die so sehr auf der Stra§e liegen, da§ sie gerade deshalb von der gewšhnlichen Welt nicht gesehen oder wenigstens nicht erkannt werden. ******** Those who dance are considered insane by those who can't hear the music. George Carlin ******** The best portion of a good man's life - His little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love. William Wordsworth _______________________________________________ Biofuel mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://wwia.org/mailman/listinfo.cgi/biofuel Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuel archives at Infoarchive.net (searchable): http://infoarchive.net/sgroup/biofuel/
