On the ride into work yesterday, I heard a short piece on the radio about the National Day of Reason coming up on May 3rd, which was founded as a response to the National Day of Prayer on the same day. Pete Stark, a congressman from California, issued a proclamation in support of the National Day of Reason, saying:
“Our nation faces many problems—bringing our troops home from Afghanistan, creating jobs, educating our children, and protecting our safety net from irresponsible cuts. We will solve these issues through the application of reason. We must also protect women’s reproductive choices, the integrity of scientific research, and our public education system from those who would hide behind religious dogma to undermine them.”
This radio segment put a bee in my bonnet, as do so many issues that lie in the expansive intersection of religion and politics. Against my better judgment, I read up on the proclamation a little bit later on. The proclamation ends by saying:
“I encourage everyone to join in observing this day and focusing upon the employment of reason, critical thinking, the scientific method, and free inquiry to improve our world and our nation.”
(sigh)
OK.
I am a Christian, and I’m annoyed by the proclamation for the National Day of Reason. Not because I oppose reason, or women’s’ reproductive choices, or the integrity of scientific research, but because I oppose the premise that reason and faith are mutually exclusive. The National Day of Reason, as a counter to the National Day of Prayer, continues the damaging and anti-productive false dichotomy that you are either faithful or reasonable. I oppose the idea that prayer needs to be countered, and that the opposing side should include reason, critical thinking and free inquiry. Really? Is it impossible that I came to faith through the use of these very tools?
Anyway, I do have to admit that there’s a short list of issues that often represents a kind of Christian Club Membership Test:
“Anti-abortion?”
“Check.”
“Opposed to gay marriage?”
“Check.”
“Global warming?”
“It’s a crock.”
“OK, you’re in.”
But that’s the problem. These issues, while some of which are rooted in faith, are not the faith itself. I’m a fairly socially liberal Christian who attends a very conservative church. I’m not exactly a round peg in a round hole. Why do I go there? Because what I do have in common with the members of my church (you know, Christ) is more important than what we do not have in common.
I also see my membership in that church as a small example of an important interaction and dialogue that needs to happen on a much, much larger scale. National Day of Prayer or National Day of Reason? Boycott both of them. I say no more choosing to be in one camp or the other.
