HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 18

DESIGNATING MARCH 23, 2023 AS NATIONAL ATHEISTS DAY IN DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, our nation was founded upon a belief in freedom of religion with the U.S. Constitution enshrining this as a guaranteed right in the First Amendment; and

WHEREAS, many of our founding fathers were skeptical of organized religion and its role in our society; and,

WHEREAS, about 7% of Americans identify as atheist, about 7% identify as agnostic, and another 15% do not identify with any specific religion; and

WHEREAS, we see the number of Americans who identify as atheist, agnostic, or unaffiliated with any religion continues to grow, especially among young Americans; and

WHEREAS, over 1.1 billion people across the world identify as atheist, agnostic, or unaffiliated with any specific religion; and

WHEREAS, atheists believe that the rights of anyone to practice their religion of choice should not be infringed upon or hampered in any way, and that no one should be forced to adhere to or be governed by religious beliefs; and

WHEREAS, throughout history up to and including today, atheists, agnostics, and other non-religious groups and individuals have been severely persecuted for their beliefs or for refusing to adopt or adhere to the beliefs of specific religions; and

WHEREAS, the constitutions of seven states ban atheists from holding elected office (although these bans are unconstitutional at the federal level and hence unenforceable); and

WHEREAS, atheists, agnostics, and secular humanists have often led efforts to maintain the separation of church and state guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution ; and

WHEREAS, atheists and agnostics have contributed to every aspect of American society including science, technology, education, medicine, government, law, psychology, sociology, linguistics, journalism, philosophy, music, literature, art, entertainment; and

WHEREAS, a significant portion of Americans practicing in certain distinctive disciplines identify as atheists, including 29% of scientists and 12% of doctors; and

WHEREAS, proportionately, atheists are greatly underrepresented at all levels of elected office, and even once elected, many fear publicly identifying themselves as atheists; and

WHEREAS, atheists yearn and work for the best for humanity and the world, as do so many other individuals; and

WHEREAS, there are thousands of religions in the world and their beliefs are generally well-known and well-respected while the beliefs of atheists are often ignored and even looked down upon; and

WHEREAS, each year on March 23, many Americans from all walks of life seek to shed light upon the existence and beliefs of atheists.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Delaware House of Representatives of the 152nd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that March 23rd is hereby recognized as National Atheist Day.

SYNOPSIS

This Concurrent Resolution designates March 23, 2023 as National Atheists' Day in Delaware.