Today, Congressional Freethought Caucus Co-Chairs Representative Jamie Raskin (MD-8) and Representative Jared Huffman (CA-2), introduced the National Day of Reason resolution into the 118th Congress. This resolution seeks to underline the nation’s founding principles of keeping religion and government separate while ensuring that reason is the basis for public policy. The American Humanist Association (AHA) is proud to endorse this legislation.
The National Day of Reason resolution designates May 4, 2023 as a National Day of Reason in celebration of the roles played by critical thought, scientific integrity, and free inquiry in our nation’s founding, its social evolutions, and its continued improvement. It is more essential than ever that our government champions these values to tackle the complex and evolving challenges humans face in the 21st century, to push back against disinformation, and to protect our fragile democracy.
Alongside designating May 4 as a National Day of Reason, this timely resolution also “encourages all citizens, residents, and visitors to join in observing this day and focusing on the central importance of reason, critical thought, the scientific method, and free inquiry to resolving social problems and promoting the welfare of humankind.”
The National Day of Reason draws support and participation from organizations and individuals through events across the country. On May 3 of this year, for example, secular and religious humanists will unite with legislators to cosponsor a breakfast and reception at the Minnesota State Capitol to commemorate the day of observance. The event will feature remarks by legislators, including members of the new Secular Government Caucus, and be cosponsored by HumanistsMN (an AHA chapter), First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis, and Or Emet – Minnesota Congregation for Humanistic Judaism. In a press release, HumanistsMN stated “organizers are especially concerned about the rise of Christian nationalism and the impact of religious dogma on our legal system, with devastating consequences in areas including abortion and transgender rights.” If you are local or interested in registering for the event, you are invited to join and learn more here.
To learn more about the National Day of Reason, its history, and how you can take action, check out nationaldayofreason.org.
The AHA’s Policy team has worked hard over the years to convince our elected officials that observances which benefit from government support must strive to include all Americans, not just those of certain religious beliefs. We’ll be working to get more cosponsors for this bill, but as a constituent, you hold even greater influence – take just two minutes to contact your Representative right now and ask them to cosponsor the National Day of Reason resolution.
The post Encourage Your Representative to Cosponsor the National Day of Reason Resolution appeared first on TheHumanist.com.
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