As you may already know, the National Day of Prayer was made an official annual day of observance by Congress and President Truman in 1952. On this day each year the president issues a proclamation recognizing the celebration and asking Americans to pray, and government officials at the federal, state and local levels participate in prayer ceremonies as representatives of the government. Obviously, many Americans, and groups like the Humanists of North Puget Sound, oppose this government-sanctioned religious event, as we feel it violates the First Amendment and excludes non-religious Americans.
The National Day of Reason was created to call attention to this unconstitutional event, in addition to celebrating reason and its societal benefits. Every year we call upon government officials at all levels of public service and of all political parties to issue a proclamation showing their commitment to the separation of church and state.
I would like our officials to consider also issuing a Day of Reason proclamation on May 1, just a Gov. Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island and many other local public officials have done in the past. If you have questions regarding the National Day of Reason, feel free to contact me or visit the official website www.nationaldayofreason.org
Robert Ray
President Humanists of North Puget Sound
Granite Falls
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