For Immediate Release Contact:

Patrick Hudson, 202-238-9088 ext. 105, phudson@americanhumanist.org 

(Iowa, April 24, 2017)—Today the American Humanist Association, the Eastern Iowa Atheists, and Secular Students at Iowa applaud the city governments of Iowa City and Linn County, Iowa for issuing proclamations recognizing May 4, 2017 as a National Day of Reason.

The National Day of Reason is a secular alternative to the National Day of Prayer when humanists, secularists, and non-theists alike come together to celebrate the shared values of reason, logic, and science. Like the National Day of Prayer, the National Day of Reason is held on the first Thursday of May each year.

“The National Day of Prayer excludes millions of Americans who identify as humanist, atheist, or agnostic,” said Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association. “We aim to unite the country around reason, a value that all Americans share, and we appreciate the efforts of the Linn County and Iowa City governments to recognize a more inclusive day that’s respectful of the religious and non-religious diversity of America.”

The American Humanist Associations and its chapters continue their endeavors to ask local and state governments to issue proclamations declaring May 4th a Day of Reason. These efforts persist in Cedar Rapids and Marion County, Iowa, which are likely to issue proclamations in the coming days. 

***Correction***: Humanists of Linn County received proclamations from the cities of Cedar Rapids and Marion, from Linn County, and from the State of Iowa. Additionally, Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers and both the Central and Eastern Iowa Coalitions of Reason deserve credit for their additional support efforts in obtaining the proclamation from the state.

###

Founded in 1941 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., the American Humanist Association (AHA) works to protect the rights of humanists, atheists, and other nontheistic Americans. The AHA advances the ethical and life-affirming philosophy of humanism, which—without beliefs in any gods or other supernatural forces—encourages individuals to live informed and meaningful lives that aspire to the greater good of humanity.