Each year, our state marks the Annual Rhode Island Day of Reason. Originally, the Day of Reason was established by the American Humanist Association as a response to the highly unconstitutional Day of Prayer- a resolution issued in state & federal government. In 2014, local atheist groups in our state were successful in the first establishing of this day when a gubernatorial proclamation was issued by former Governor Lincoln Chafee.
Timing of the Day of Reason falls in relation to the Day of Prayer resolution passed by the Rhode Island General Assembly on the first Thursday in May. The 2025 Day of Reason is being introduced as a congressional resolution on May 6th. The Day of Reason ceremony will be held at 3pm in the State House Bell Room.
As a state non-profit organization promoting religious freedom and separation of church & state, Rhode Island Atheists encourages all Rhode Islanders to mark this day by reflecting on the principles of reason; cultivating intelligent, moral and ethical interactions among people; promoting the development & application of reason; ensuring that freedom of religion is guaranteed for all citizens of Rhode Island; recognizing that our state & country's founding documents are based on principles delineated by the historical Age of Reason.
Thanks to Steve Ahlquist for reporting on last year's Day of Reason. You can find the full coverage here: https://steveahlquist.substack.com/p/secretary-of-state-gregg-amore-speaks
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Gubernatorial Proclamation
Day of Reason
Whereas, the application of reason, more than any other means, has proven to offer hope for human survival upon Earth by cultivating intelligent, moral and ethical interactions among people and their environments; and
Whereas, those who wrote the Constitution of the United States of America, the basic document for governing the affairs of humankind within the United States, based it upon principles delineated within the philosophies distinguishing the historical Age of Reason; and
Whereas, most citizens of the United States purport to value reason and its application; and
Whereas, it is the duty and responsibility of every citizen to promote the development and application of reason; and
Now, therefore, I, Lincoln D. Chafee, Governor of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, do hereby proclaim May 1st, 2014 as Day of Reason in Rhode Island and encourage all state residents to join me recognizing the importance of this day.
Given under my hand and at the great seal of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, this 11th Day of April 2014.
The 2025 Rhode Island Day of Reason is approaching fast and we’re making preparations. Don’t miss out!
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