The White House is planning a muted observance of Thursday's National Day of Prayer, a response that has disappointed both Christian conservatives and an atheist group that wants to end the tradition. Congress established the day in 1952 and in 1988 set the first Thursday in May as the day for presidents to issue proclamations asking Americans to pray. ... [More]

Unprecedented in recent history, Obama's practice of opening presidential events with a prayer seems like it will become a new tradition, further eroding the boundaries between church and state. ... [More]