NDR Media Coverage

Reason Day Fails to Secure Approval

by Mary Warner

As governors typically do, Gov. Ed Rendell issued a proclamation recognizing this year's National Day of Prayer.

Pennsylvania Non-Believers asked him to proclaim a National Day of Reason, too. Rendell said no.

"The governor ... believes that reason should reign on a daily basis," spokesman Chuck Ardo said yesterday. He added that prayer is particularly appropriate, "given the times that we live in."

Steve Neubauer of Mount Wolf, president of the nonbelievers, speculated Rendell was afraid of advancing any proposal that came from atheists and agnostics.

Neubauer said his group doesn't object to a Day of Prayer, scheduled for Thursday -- just to government endorsement of the day. That's favoritism based on religious conviction, he said.

"A Day of Prayer excludes nonbelievers, because we don't pray," he said. "But our Day of Reason, you would think that everyone would be able to endorse."

Katie Burt of Pittsburgh, statewide coordinator for the Day of Prayer, said the nonbelievers "have a right to gather just like we do," but she was glad Rendell rejected the Day of Reason. "I'm glad he stood fast," she said.

Neubauer, a 54-year-old retired dockworker, said the nonbelievers group is six years old and has about 400 members, mostly in the Harrisburg, Lancaster and York areas.

Proclamation or no, they will proceed with their second annual National Day of Reason rally on the Capitol steps Thursday, immediately after a Christian group finishes a Day of Prayer rally.

Last year, the Christians numbered about 250, singing praise songs and kneeling in repentance and thanks. About 20 nonbelievers followed with speeches and John Lennon's "Imagine" on a boom-box.

"Our country, founded on the precepts of intellectual and religious freedom and the separation of church and state, is home of millions of citizens who use reason for guidance, wisdom and assistance," began the six-paragraph proclamation the nonbelievers proposed to Rendell.

Proclamations of the Day of Prayer endorse no particular religion. Rendell's, for example, says people should observe the day "in their own personal way, whether through vocal or silent prayer, meditation, solitary thought or giving thanks."

Public observances, though, typically have an evangelical Christian flavor.

Shirley Dobson, wife of religious right activist James Dobson of Focus on the Family, has headed a National Day of Prayer Task Force since 1991.

This year, Oliver North is honorary chairman.

A spokesman says that the only governor he's known to refuse to proclaim a National Day of Prayer was Jesse Ventura, former governor of Minnesota.

The National Day of Prayer was instituted in 1952, though supporters note there were government appeals to prayer long before then.

Copyright 2004 The Patriot-News

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