NDR Media Coverage

Prayer and Reason
Believers, Nonbelievers Congregate at Capitol

by Mary Warner

More than 300 Christians from throughout Pennsylvania came to the Capitol to pray yesterday.

Then about 20 nonbelievers came to praise reason.

The Christians, whose rally was broadcast on Cornerstone TeleVision, were observing the 52nd National Day of Prayer. They were arrayed both inside the Rotunda and outside on the marble steps, with big screens and sound systems linking the sites.

They prayed for government leaders, troubled families and the poor. And they asked God to end abortion, to "redeem this media ... that pour filth into our living rooms," to "protect marriage ... the integrity of a husband and a wife."

The Pennsylvania Non-Believers gathered on the Capitol steps to observe their second National Day of Reason.

They had asked Gov. Ed Rendell to proclaim their day, as he proclaimed the Day of Prayer, but he refused. He "believes that reason should reign on a daily basis," his spokesman said last week.

"In recognition of Governor Rendell's wise implication that the value and power of reason are at least 364 times greater than the value of prayer," the nonbelievers yesterday proclaimed him an honorary member of their group. They said they'd throw in a nonbelievers T-shirt, size extra large.

The National Day of Prayer was established by federal law in 1952 and is routinely proclaimed by presidents and governors, who call on Americans of all faiths to pray on that day.

Evangelical Christians typically set the tone for public observances. A private National Day of Prayer Task Force is chaired by Shirley Dobson, wife of James Dobson of Focus on the Family; her videotaped welcome opened yesterday's gathering at the Capitol.

Copyright 2004 The Patriot-News

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