A friend asked me the other day who I give thanks to on Thanksgiving since I'm an atheist. The simple answer is, "To the people around me who help keep me safe, healthy and happy." But, her point is a good one.
Lincoln established Thanksgiving in 1863 (and you thought that W invented using PR to calm down the populous during an unpopular war). The holiday clearly was established with a religious tone. Interestingly, it hasn't been co-opted by the pious among us as christmas and easter have been. Of course, these holidays have a direct relationship with religious writings, but christmas has been bought and sold since the late 1800's, post-dating the establishment of Thanksgiving. And every other American holiday (Presidents' Day, 4th of July, etc.) is used as an excuse to buy and sell EVERYTHING. So, why not Thanksgiving? Is it because it's boring, not religious enough, or something else?
I think it's because of the melancholy associated with it. When the pilgrims got here, things weren't so good for them. When Lincoln made it official, the nation was in crisis. We usually don't give thanks unless we have been humbled first. One doesn't have the be a theist to appreciate when things are better than they were (or could be).
And, I almost forgot. If stores had big Thanksgiving sales, it would bite into their christmas business.
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