Expressing support for the designation of May 7, 2020, as a “National Day of Reason” and recognizing the central importance of reason in the betterment of humanity.
The National Day of Reason is a response to the Federal Government’s National Day of Prayer which is enshrined in law. Donald Trump, being the law-abiding President dutifully proclaimed today for prayer. What about the approximately 23 percent of people in the United States who aren’t religious and don’t pray. That is why we need the National Day of Reason!
With about 80% of the nation presumably praying for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic, why does it continue? Basically because there is no evidence that prayer ever work for anything, aside from the benefit of meditation.
Only science and reason will defeat the pandemic. It is science that is used to create a vaccine. It is science that creates the tests for the disease to help manage the pandemic and help our economy to recover. So where is our commitment to science and reason by our representative government? Buried in the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. In the spirit of the day, I give you H.Res.947 that states:
Expressing support for the designation of May 7, 2020, as a “National Day of Reason” and recognizing the central importance of reason in the betterment of humanity.
Whereas the application of reason has been the essential precondition for humanity’s extraordinary scientific, medical, technological, and social progress since the modern Enlightenment;
Whereas reason provides vital hope today for confronting the environmental crises of our day, including the civilizational emergency of climate change, and for cultivating the rule of law, democratic institutions, justice, and peace among nations;
Whereas irrationality, magical thinking, and superstition have undermined the national effort to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, and reason is fundamental to creating an effective coordinated response to beat the virus involving the Federal Government, the States, and the scientific and medical communities;
Whereas America’s Founders insisted upon the primacy of reason and knowledge in public life, and drafted the Constitution to prevent official establishment of religion and to protect freedom of thought, speech, and inquiry in civil society;
Whereas James Madison, author of the First Amendment and fourth President of the United States, stated that “The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty”, and “Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own governors, must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives”; and
Whereas, May 7, 2020, would be an appropriate date to designate as a “National Day of Reason”: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
(1) supports the designation of a “National Day of Reason”; and
(2) 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.
Well said!
