The first Thursday of May has been designated by congress as the National Day of Prayer. Congress has endorsed religions which believe in a personal deity that interferes in the affairs of humans over religions and non-religions which reject the efficacy of prayer. If that doesn’t fail the Lemon Test and violate the First Amendment of the Constitution, then I don’t know what does.
But there is an alternative to the National Day of Prayer. The American Humanist Association has spearheading the National Day of Reason to coincide with the National Day of Prayer. The National Day of Reason doesn’t enjoy congressional endorsement like the National Day of Prayer does but it is a day that everyone can take part in regardless of their religious beliefs or lack of religious beliefs.
Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association, put it best when he stated, “Reason should be the guiding force for public policy.” He continues, “The National Day of Prayer excludes millions of Americans who choose not to pray or prefer keeping prayer private. Reason is something that everyone can celebrate.”
Many in the greater atheist community have embraced the National Day of Reason and have devoted this day to promoting the separation of church and state and to doing good works in the name of reason.
This year, Congressman Pete Stark (D-CA) issued a proclamation on the floor of the House in recognition of the National Day of Reason. You can read that proclamation HERE. To learn more about the National Day of Reason, click HERE.
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