Today’s news will be filled with events commemorating the National Day of Prayer, but I wonder how many of us know about the National Day of Reason?
There won’t be a Presidential proclamation for the National Day of Reason (although the National Day of Prayer gets one), although Congressman Pete Stark (D-CA) issued one recognizing the day from the House floor:
“The National Day of Reason celebrates the application of reason and the positive impact it has had on humanity,” Stark said last Friday. “It is also an opportunity to reaffirm the Constitutional separation of religion and government.”
“Our nation faces many problems—bringing our troops home from Afghanistan, creating jobs, educating our children, and protecting our safety net from irresponsible cuts,” he continued. “We will solve these issues through the application of reason. We must also protect women’s reproductive choices, the integrity of scientific research, and our public education system from those who would hide behind religious dogma to undermine them.”
Who could have problems with that? There are groups all over the US commemorating the National Day of Reason, mostly engaged in community and civic service projects. This kind of commemoration is hopeful — sending the message that you don’t have to indulge in showy (and frequently empty) religionism in order to participate in the civic life of your community:
“In times of great conflict and worry, people want to look to a higher power, and I am sympathetic to that,” said Paul Fidalgo, communications director at the Center for Inquiry. “But our day puts the focus back on people and what we can do for ourselves. We are trying to make a better world on our own by emphasizing good works and good deeds on the day.”
To that end, local groups of nontheists will hold blood drives (Groton, Conn.) training in lobbying politicians (Raleigh, N.C.) and voter registration drives (Flagstaff, Ariz.), as well as marches, rallies and social gatherings. One group in Putnam, Conn., is holding a “science for reason” book exchange — turn in a Bible and receive a free copy of Charles Darwin’s The Origin of Species, among other titles.
I don’t know of any local events for the National Day of Reason, but maybe this will inspire someone to start a few next year.