Atheists want a National Day of Reason to counter the longstanding National Day of Prayer
This is Truth Itself.….I’m Bob Ditmer
California Democrat Mike Honda introduced a resolution that would designate May 5 this year as a “National Day of Reason” and recognize “the importance of reason in the betterment of humanity.“
The proposal is now before the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
In a statement Honda said, “This nation is based on pluralism, on a diversity of views. The National Day of Reason is not in opposition to the National Day of Prayer. It is simply another way for people to think about one of the fundamental forces that built this nation.”
The Freedom From Religion Foundation supports the proposal and would like to see the national day of prayer eliminated, claiming it violates the constitution.
Honda introduced a similar resolution last year, but it failed to get much support.
The National Day of Prayer continues to be a valued annual American tradition with President Barack Obama focusing his attention on religious liberty in last year’s address.
Obama reminded Americans that although religious liberty is cherished in the United States, many other people around the world do not enjoy such privileges.
A 2015 Gallup poll shows that the percentage of Americans identifying as Christians is dropping. Meanwhile, the vast majority of Congress men and women continue to identify with a religion, including Honda, who lists himself as a Protestant.