National Day of Reason
Encyclopedia
The National Day of Reason is an unofficial secular celebration created by the American Humanist Association and the Washington Area Secular Humanists for humanists, atheists, and other secularists and freethinkers in response to the official National Day of Prayer
of the United States
. The day is celebrated on the first Thursday in May every year, to coincide with the National Day of Prayer. In 2008 it fell on April 1, the 75th anniversary of the first Humanist Manifesto
.
Some organizations associated with the NDR have organized blood donations. The Tampa group has called for an end to prayer invocations at city meetings. Other local groups, such as the Oklahoma Atheists and the Minnesota Atheists
have organized secular celebrations as alternatives to the National Day of Prayer, while many affiliated with these atheistic groups choose to protest the official National Day of Prayer.
National Day of Prayer
The National Day of Prayer is an annual day of observance held on the first Thursday of May, designated by the United States Congress, when people are asked "to turn to God in prayer and meditation". Each year, the president signs a proclamation, encouraging all Americans to pray on this day...
of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The day is celebrated on the first Thursday in May every year, to coincide with the National Day of Prayer. In 2008 it fell on April 1, the 75th anniversary of the first Humanist Manifesto
Humanist Manifesto
Humanist Manifesto is the title of three manifestos laying out a Humanist worldview. They are the original Humanist Manifesto , the Humanist Manifesto II , and Humanism and Its Aspirations...
.
Some organizations associated with the NDR have organized blood donations. The Tampa group has called for an end to prayer invocations at city meetings. Other local groups, such as the Oklahoma Atheists and the Minnesota Atheists
Minnesota Atheists
Minnesota Atheists is the largest atheist organization in the state of Minnesota. They are a 501 non-profit organization that seeks to promote the positive contributions of atheism and to maintain the separation of state and church. The current president is August Berkshire...
have organized secular celebrations as alternatives to the National Day of Prayer, while many affiliated with these atheistic groups choose to protest the official National Day of Prayer.
External links
- National Day of Reason - Official Website
- National Day of Prayer - Official Website
- American Humanist Organization
- Darwin Day
- A Secular Humanist Declaration