American Humanist News and Actions
Humanists Take Lead in Darwin Day Celebration
Posted February 12, 2009 at 6:25am In honor of the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birthday, the American Humanist Association held a luncheon at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., featuring a range of engaging speakers who discussed Darwin's role in shaping religion and science. Meanwhile, elsewhere in the country and around the world, Darwin Day was being widely celebrated by humanist and scientific groups. Some observances took place on the weekend prior to February 12. Among the notable humanist celebrations are a day-long event at Harvard University today and an evening program at the University of Colorado at Boulder on February 14.
Humanists Uneasy about Obama's Faith-Based Program
Posted February 05, 2009 at 6:24am While the American Humanist Association appreciated Barack Obama's latest shout-out to non-believers at his National Prayer Breakfast this morning, the organization continues to be concerned about the president's White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.
Humanists Gratified at Obama Signing Ledbetter Act
Posted January 29, 2009 at 6:14am The American Humanist Association today praised President Barack Obama for signing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act into law—the first law signed in his presidency. The law protects women and minorities against pay discrimination.Humanists Brave Bible Belt with Latest Ad
Posted January 22, 2009 at 6:13am A controversial new billboard is slated to appear January 26 on westbound I-26 just south of the Spruill Avenue exit, about three miles from the center of the Charleston, South Carolina. It will carry a brief message emblazoned on a background of a blue cloud-filled sky: "Don't believe in God? You are not alone." Below that will be the website address: lowcountryhumanists.org.Obama's Secular Humanist Upbringing Praised
Posted January 19, 2009 at 7:24am In both editions of tomorrow's special inauguration issue of the Washington Post, a prominent ad from the American Humanist Association will appear, praising the non-religious upbringing of Barack Obama. "President Obama: Living Proof that Family Values Without Religion Build Character," the ad says. It goes on to quote from Obama's own account of his upbringing in his 2006 book, The Audacity of Hope. In his 1995 book, Dreams from My Father, Obama had written that his mother stood alone in her community as a "witness for secular humanism."Court Allows Monotheistic Inauguration
Posted January 15, 2009 at 7:10amA federal district court ruled this afternoon that the 2009 Presidential Inaugural ceremonies may proceed as scheduled with religious references. U.S. District Court Judge Reggie B. Walton denied a request by thirty individual plaintiffs and eleven organizations to prevent the addition of "so help me God" to the constitutionally prescribed presidential oath and prevent the inclusion of sectarian prayers in the invocation and benediction. Thus, when President-elect Barack Obama is sworn in on Tuesday, January 20, he will continue a tradition that alienates millions of Americans who don't believe in a god.
