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Thanksgiving Wishes: For the Past and the Future

Posted by DORIAN DE WIND in Economy, Health, Politics, Religion, Society, War.
Nov 25th, 2009 | Comments

Thanksgiving

Traditionally, Americans give thanks for the blessings our families, our people and our country have continued to enjoy during the past year, and years past—and so we should.

However, this Thanksgiving, as our nation faces many problems and we are on the verge of making pivotal decisions on, among others, war and peace, the economy and our common health care, I believe that is also appropriate and important that we give thanks—ahead of time, and each to our own God—for what we hope will be the wisdom and guidance our leaders will need to make the right decisions in matters that will so fundamentally affect present Americans and generations to come.

As always, our thanks to all those magnificent men and women in our military, especially to those who today find themselves in harm’s way. May God bless you and keep you safe.

Finally, I wish all the staff, contributors and readers at The Moderate Voice, and their loved ones, a blessed Thanksgiving.

Image: Courtesy Montgomerycountymd.gov

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Father_Time

Very nice Dorian but there is no god. I suggest that we use the otherwise wasted time concentrating on solving these problems and thanking the hard working people of our past for preserving us thus far.

DdW

Thanks FT.

About the "no God," glad you brought it up.

I had a long discussion about it with a friend, over a couple of Dos Equis' (with lime, of course) in the Yucatan Peninsula a few weeks ago, and I have been meaning to write about it.

But, It will have to be after Thanksgiving.

Have a Happy one.

kathykattenburg

Very nice Dorian but there is no god.

Prove it.

DdW

Thanks Kathy.

I was going to tackle FT's "no God" issue after Thanksgiving, but since you broached on it and since it is Thanksgiving (tomorrow), let me just ask those who say there is no God (I have always been curious about this.)

"When you have faced a great personal tragedy in your life, perhaps almost lost a loved one; perhaps recovered from a grave illness; perhaps faced some other disaster and came out of it OK, who do you give thanks to for your loved one surviving, for recovering from the illness; for avoiding the disaster?"

I don't want to put anyone on the spot--I am just very curious.

jbchamp

I can be thankful to those who cared for me or my loved one. I can be thankful my body responded and move me towards wellness. Why do I have to attribute my thankfulness to a God? Do you thank the same God if the illness or tragedy results death or complications?

DdW

Thanks for your comments, and your frankness, jbchamp.

No, as you say, you don't have to attribute your blessings to God.

I am not a very religious person. However, when my entire family was in a life-threatening situation a few years ago, I certainly prayed to God to keep us safe, and when he did, I certainly thanked Him profusely afterwards.

Your comment shows how different people react differently to stress situations.

As to your final question, when illness or tragedy has resulted in death or complication, I have always asked God for support and consolation. But, again, that's just me

Have a Happy Thanksgiving

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