DangerousTalk

While much of this country is focused on conversations with their imaginary friend, the secular would have decided to celebrate today as the National Day of Reason. It is a day for people of reason everywhere to step up and celebrate and to raise awareness of the attacks upon reason, freethought, and the wall of separation between Church and State.

But there are critics of this day of celebration and not all of them are from the religious. Many atheists think that a National Day of Reason makes us look more like a religion in our own right. Others think that we should make every day a Day of Reason. And still others just see this as a reactionary tactic. These are all valid concerns and we should take them seriously.

First, just because atheists are organizing doesn’t make that organization necessarily religious. When people organize in order to perform rituals, worship a deity, and claim divine Truth (with a capital T) that is religion. When people organize is support of education, awareness, and to fight back against discrimination that is not religion. So the claim that such celebrations put us on the level of religion is ridiculous.

Second, we should make every day a Day of Reason. I couldn’t agree with this criticism more, but I don’t think these are mutually exclusive views. I see this more as a publicity stunt for those who elevate faith above reason to realize that is what they are doing. There is a large segment of the population who want to support both faith and reason without realizing that these two positions are actually mutually exclusive. By making a very public Day of Reason, we are calling attention to the dramatic differences between these two diametrically opposed positions. So I support a 365.25 day a year celebration of reason but also think we need to market our ideas to the people who are on the fence.

Third, Is this a reaction to the National Day of Prayer? Of course it is. The National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional. But a National Day of Reason is not. While atheism need not be reactionary, organized atheist is almost by definition reactionary. There is no need to organize around the lack of belief in Astrology. Astrologists aren’t pushing their irrational beliefs into legislation. Astrologists aren’t trying to push their views into science classes. Nor are people discriminated against for not believing is Astrology. But since a large number of religious people do push their views into society by these means and more, we need to organize and fight back (in an non-violent way of course). Let me use this example, if black people weren’t discriminated against there would be no need for organizations like the NAACP. Such organizations are reactionary to the problems that black people face in society. Organized atheism is likewise a reaction to the efforts of organized religion. It is that simple.

To celebrate the National Day of Reason, people of reason are asked to be visible and active on this day to set the right example for how to effect positive change. Some organizations are asking for atheists to donate blood, do acts of community service, and other activities. I would hope that we do those things and make it known that we are doing them out of reason and not religion. You should be your friendly neighborhood atheist. It is also a good time to open a dialog with those who pray and to have constructive conversations about religion and reason.

Please check out the official National Day of Reason website: NationalDayOfReason.org

Filed under: Religion