NDR Media Coverage

Reason: Humanists' 'Antidote' to Prayer
by Sarah Miracle

CBNNews.com - Non-believers have a substitute to the National Day of Prayer. It's called the National Day of Reason.

Fred Edwords of the American Humanist Association says the National Day of Reason is a much-needed "antidote" to prayers that he and other humanists consider inconsequential.

Many who promote religious tolerance and the separation of church and state believe the federally sanctioned National Day of Prayer is dominated by conservative Christians.

While it isn't as widely celebrated as the Day of Prayer, the Day of Reason "exists to inspire the secular community to be visible and active on this day to set the right example for how to effect positive change," the official Web site says.

According to the American Humanist Association, this positive change comes through the humanist's "progressive philosophy of life that, without supernaturalism, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity."

Edwords allows that prayer may make people feel better, but "it isn't going to work and it really doesn't make sense," he said in an Associated Press article.

Bert Thompson from the ApologeticsPress.org disagrees.

"Humanists have failed to comprehend one of the greatest of all truths - that the 'fear of the Lord' is both 'the beginning of knowledge' and 'the beginning of wisdom,'" he said, referring to verses in Proverbs.

"True wisdom is in Christ. He alone is the way, the Truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father but by Him. It is His Truth that will make us free and protect us from the 'philosophy and vain deceit after the tradition of men,'" he added.

In sharp contrast to the humanist's celebration of reason, Shirley Dobson told Pat Robertson on The 700 Club, Wednesday that "prayer is the hope for America."

Dobson is serving as NDP Chairman of the Task Force for the annual event.

"Our theme this year is 'America, Unite in Prayer.' We are so polarized in this country that it's time to set aside our differences and come together in this one thing. Our nation needs a great healing," she said.

"We need to pray the peace of God into this country and mainly, that hearts will turn back to Him."

The National Day of Prayer was authorized by federal statute by President George W. Bush on April 26, 2002.

Across the nation in church events and public venues on Thursday, a great outpouring of prayer is planned for America.

Copyright 2007 CBNNews.com

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