American Humanist Association will observe a National Day of Reason instead
By Hilary White
WASHINGTON, May 1, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) – "A prayerful spirit" has always been an important part of the American national character, says President George W. Bush. With this assertion, he has proclaimed May 3rd as the 56th annual National Day of Prayer.
The National Day of Prayer was established in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman and is normally observed on the first Thursday of May.
This year's theme is "America Unite in Prayer," and will begin at 1:16pm EST in Washington, D.C. with music, celebrations and remembrances throughout the country.
Bush said that a belief that God "hears the prayers of His children and shows grace to those who seek Him" is common to many Americans. Citing the massive outpouring of prayerful responses after the shootings at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Bush said, "There is a power in these prayers, and we can find comfort in the grace and guidance of a loving God."
Public Law 100-307, calls on citizens of the US to "reaffirm the role of prayer in our society and to respect the freedom of religion."
While churches across the country prepare events to participate, secularists have reacted predictably to the announcement. Fred Edwords of the American Humanist Association which holds there is an natural divide between between faith and reason, says his organization and others will observe a National Day of Reason instead this Thursday.
Links to local events can be found at the
National Day of Prayer Task Force:
http://www.ndptf.org/home/index.cfm
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"In Cordibus Jesu et Mariae"
