As residents deeply committed to the principles of reason and scientific inquiry, we urge the Toledo City Council to adopt a resolution marking May 4th as Day of Reason in our beloved city. This cause is personal for us. We have witnessed firsthand how reason, at the heart of the scientific method, has helped us emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic with a life-saving vaccine available for all.

Reason is not only essential in science but also in lawmaking. It helps prevent policies and laws based on religious bigotry and biases that can harm more people than they help. According to a report by The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), there are numerous instances where religious biases have influenced laws, leading to discrimination and inequality.

By recognizing May 4th as Day of Reason, Toledo will be taking an important step towards promoting rational thinking as an integral part of civic life. It will serve as a reminder that every citizen has a role to play in fostering a society grounded on logic, evidence-based decision-making, and mutual respect.

We call upon our fellow citizens who value reason over prejudice or superstition to join us in this effort. Let's urge our city council members to make this significant change for our community's betterment by adopting May 4th as Day of Reason in Toledo.

Please sign this petition today!

Here is a draft of a resolution we would like to see passed:

"WHEREAS, the application of reason, more than any other means, has proven to offer hope for human survival upon Earth, improving conditions within the universe, and 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

NOW, THEREFORE, we [name, title] hereby proclaim Saturday, the 4th day of May, 2024 a

DAY OF REASON in the City of Toledo

and we encourage all citizens, residents and visitors to join in observing this day and focusing upon the employment of reason, critical thought, the scientific method, and free inquiry to the resolution of human problems and for the welfare of humankind.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I hereunto set my hand and cause the Seal of [government] to be herein affixed."