Delaware Voice David C. Martin

Today is the National Day of Prayer, enacted by Congress and signed into law by President Truman during the Korean War and proclaimed by successive presidents ever since. But its legitimacy is questionable as the day can be seen in violation of our Constitution's First Amendment clause which states, "Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment (recognized by the state) of religion."

Our nation was founded as a secular republic, something quite radical for its time, based on the principles of John Locke and other Enlightenment philosophers who, themselves, were influenced by earlier Greco/Roman ideals. The framers of our Constitution, wisely following Enlightenment principles, crafted a basically humanistic document guaranteeing the inherent worth and dignity of the individual in pursuing life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, free from religious oppression and state repression. But something happened changing the perception of ourselves from living in a secular republic to living in a "Christian Nation."

Some Americans were troubled by the omission of the words "God" and "Christianity" in the document. They may have understood the Constitution as written primarily by deists, not pious Christians. So, during the so-called "Second Great Awakening" (a revival of religious fervor) in the 1820's, religious leaders, Noah Webster (of dictionary fame) and Supreme Court justice Joseph Story (a pious Christian), finding the over 30-year-old original account of our nation's founding dull and uninspiring, concocted a new tale. The United States was not a secular republic inspired by the Enlightenment but, a Christian nation founded by God himself. The new chosen people living in the new promised land. A myth so strong, it blinded politicians, culminating with them enacting into law, during the Civil War, the placement of the words, "IN GOD WE TRUST", on our coinage. Later in the 1950's, during the early years of the Cold War, those words were placed on our monetary notes, in addition to the words, "under God" inserted into the Pledge of Allegiance, all in defiance of the First Amendment's intent.

Countering the National Day of Prayer is a Day of Reason, instigated by thoughtful people troubled by the lack of separation between church and state. These Americans truly understand the reason(s) our great nation was founded and God had nothing to do with it. Our founding fathers, learned men all, were probably familiar with the famous quote from Rene Descartes, "Ergo Cognito Sum" (I think therefore I am). They understood that all people should have the right to think for themselves sans outside coercion. Americans were free to decide, or not decide, which faith to believe in. A government of the people, by the people and for all the people had no say in the matter. And therein lies the problem.

Seventy percent of Americans are Christian with another 5 percent adhering to religions outside Christianity. But one-fourth of Americans claim no religion, many not believing in the efficacy of prayer. Does a government, supposedly for all the people, have the right to discriminate against 25 percent of Americans by sponsoring a day of prayer? All politicians profess knowledge of the Constitution but, as with most of their constituents, many don't understand, or choose to ignore the fact that the U.S. Constitution is a counter-majoritarian document, meant to protect the minority from the tyranny of the majority (25 percent vs. 75 percent), as exemplified by the establishment and separation clauses in the First Amendment, meaning religion has no place within the sphere of government.

This Day of Reason is observed and supported by national theist organizations such as Americans United for the Separation of Church and State and The First Amendment Center and non- theist organizations, American Humanist Association, Council for Secular Humanism, Freedom From Religion Foundation and United Coalition of Reason. Locally it's observed by the Delaware Association for Humanism and the Delaware Coalition of Reason. Last year, complimenting the day, a Reason Rally, attended by over 10,000 conscientious Americans, was held in Washington, D.C. meant to remind politicians of their sworn duty and obligation defending and protecting our counter-majoritarian Constitution.

David C. Martin is the founder of the Delaware Association for Humanism, and a member of the Delaware Coalition of Reason.