I am thankful for all the people who want this to be a great nation. That includes the people who's religion is Atheism or Secular Humanism.
First, I am not much on organized religion and think it has done much damage to many people. I think one reason that we see Atheists and Secular Humanists is because they see nothing desireable in many people who say they are "Christians." They see the Jim Bakers and the Jimmy Swaggarts. They see the "Christian" at work hitting on some married woman. They see the car with the "I love Jesus" bumper sticker cutting other people off and flipping them off.
I say enough about "the religious history of this nation" in other comments. Here I will only say that I love any person who loves America. I am thankful they are here where they can protest and not in a "secular nation" like France or Gemany.
There, they may feel less oppressed by religion, but more oppressed by unemployment due to a nation that not only doesn't want God to influence government, but wants "fairness" to rule. The great aim of socialism is fairness and it has always failed.
Here, it is fading, but it was the role of the individual to make life fair for his neighbor, the people in his community and in his family. People, coming together in the community church for more than services. They came there for problem solving and to acheive "fairness" in their community.
It was the church, probably more than any other institution that united the people to revolt against England. That was the power of people of a like mind, more than the "power of the church." Never-the-less, it was power and the uniting of people in "prayer" also enabled them to unite easier in other governmental issues to solve community problems.
So, while the role of the church has greatly faded, we are a nation that was built by religous people for all people including those who love this nation but don't want the hypocrisy they see in our "nation under God" by many who act so "self-righteous." Yet, I am thankful that I know so many who aren't hypocrites. They may make mistakes as well, but at least they are genuinely sorry when they do.
I will serve beside an Atheist or a Secular Humanist who loves this nation. I will be the best I can be and I know they will be the best they can be. I would hope, I can be a "light" to them but, even if I fail to be that "light," I pray I will not fail them in a moment of danger.
My religion doesn't let me do more than share my religion. My religion is based on "free will." My religion knows that as a member of the majority, I may have the right to legislate and to impose and to punish things the majority chooses, but I also know from my service as a police officer that there can be empathy and concern and love for all people. I am thankful the God, I serve, and that this nation was founded under, gave us the "commandment" <table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr class="standard"><td>Quote </td></tr><tr class="standard"><td class="QUOTE">"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35 [/QUOTE]<table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr class="standard"><td>Quote </td></tr><tr class="standard"><td class="QUOTE">"Whatever you want others to do for you, do so for them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." Matthew 7:12 [/QUOTE]
If my "love" causes a stranger to ask why I am motivated to love, I will share it with him. He can then choose if he wants to learn more or become a Christian. While there are times, you may initiate a "fath based message," most of the time you are wasting your time if God wasn't leading you to do it and if the person wasn't ready to receive it.
Most of the time, I feel, "love" is the best message and it, not you, may cause someone to want to learn more about the "source of that love."
I am thankful for all the people on this forum. I am thankful for those who have been willing to share their doubts about "God" and "religion." I can count them as friends since usually only friends and enemies share those kinds of feelings, and they haven't attacked me so, they must be friends for which I can be thankful.