It's Time To Take 'National' Out Of Prayer

Written by Charles C. Haynes

May 14, 2011|

In case you missed it, on May 5 the president of the United States called the nation to prayer -- just as past presidents have done on the first Thursday of every May since 1952. Mandated by Congress, the National Day of Prayer was marked this year by events around the country, many organized by the National Day of Prayer Task Force, an evangelical Christian group that maintains the self-described "official site" on the Web.

A government-sponsored "prayer day" is a vestige of a bygone era when the majority faith was often imposed as a national creed. For much of our history, minority faiths -- as well as atheists and secular humanists -- have been mostly invisible.

But in 2011, we live in a different country. Millions of Americans pray openly and freely to a bewildering variety of gods and goddesses -- and a growing number to none. One "prayer day" no longer fits all, if it ever did.

Despite expanding religious diversity, most Americans (76 percent, according to a 2010 First Amendment Center survey) still support a congressionally mandated day of prayer. Nevertheless, the practice hasn't gone unchallenged.

Last year, a federal judge in Wisconsin struck down the statute authorizing the National Day of Prayer as a violation of the establishment clause of the First Amendment. But last month, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the decision, ruling that the group that brought the case did not have standing to file suit.

Atheists, freethinkers and secular humanists, often lumped together in the news media as "nonbelievers," are beginning to see success in leveling the playing field for the 16 percent or so of Americans who have no religious affiliation. Just last week, three atheists in Tulsa, Okla., including the local leader of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, were given licenses to perform marriages by the county clerk's office. What has long been limited to religious organizations is now open to secular groups -- at least in Tulsa.

Meanwhile, atheist and secular humanist groups are pushing hard for a military chaplain. Although "atheist chaplain" may strike some as an oxymoron, atheist groups say all service members should have access to counseling and support from someone who shares their beliefs. Some 9,400 military personnel identify themselves as atheists or secular humanists; there are probably many more among the 285,000 service members who claim no religious preference.

Atheists, freethinkers and secular humanists don't pray, but they have beliefs, values and community. By demanding licenses to perform marriages and military chaplains, they seek equal treatment. This makes constitutional sense. Under the First Amendment, the government is required to be neutral. If the state bestows legal recognition on religious groups, then it must give the same privileges to nonreligious groups.

As for prayer, it's time to take the "national" out of the National Day of Prayer. Let Americans organize a multitude of prayer days -- or none -- according to dictates of conscience, not proclamations of governments.