The Freedom From Religion Foundation commends Rep. Jamie Raskin and the Congressional Freethought Caucus for introducing his annual resolution to designate May 4 every year as a National Day of Reason. This initiative underscores the vital role of reason, critical thinking and secular governance in addressing contemporary challenges and upholding constitutional principles.
The National Day of Reason serves as a secular counterpoint to the National Day of Prayer — an unconstitutional act of Congress in the 1950s designating the first Thursday in May for prayer — instead emphasizing the importance of evidence-based policymaking and the separation of state and church. The Freedom From Religion Foundation has long opposed the National Day of Prayer, which is a governmental endorsement of religion. In 2010, FFRF won a resounding federal court ruling declaring the National Day of Prayer law unconstitutional (although the decision was later overturned on the grounds of standing). In that memorable decision, Judge Barbara Crabb ruled it is no more constitutional for Congress to enact a statute supporting prayer than to “encourage citizens to fast during the month of Ramadan, attend a synagogue, purify themselves in a sweat lodge or practice rune magic.”
Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of FFRF, states: “We applaud Rep. Raskin and the Congressional Freethought Caucus for championing the National Day of Reason. In times when misinformation and religious extremism threaten our democratic institutions, reaffirming our commitment to reason and secular governance is paramount. As Thomas Paine aptly noted, and is highlighted in the resolution, ‘Reason is the most formidable weapon against errors of every kind.’ On May 4, let us wield that weapon to protect our freedoms.”
The resolution calls attention to the foundational role of reason in the United States, citing the contributions of Enlightenment thinkers like Thomas Paine and James Madison. It emphasizes that reason is essential for confronting modern crises, including climate change, threats to democratic institutions, and the rise of authoritarianism.
Notably, May 4 is also celebrated by many as Star Wars Day, with the popular phrase, “May the Fourth be with you.” Gaylor adds, “While ‘The Force’ may be a fictional concept, the real force that sustains our democracy is reason. On this day and every day, let’s channel our collective commitment to critical thinking and secular values to ensure a just and equitable society for all.”
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting the constitutional principle of separation between state and church and educating the public on matters of nontheism. With more than 42,000 members, FFRF advocates for freethinkers’ rights. For more information, visit ffrf.org.
