American Humanist News and Actions
American Humanist Association Proudly Launches Redesigned Humanist Website
Posted May 03, 2011 at 1:06pm(May 3, 2011, Washington, DC) The American Humanist Association (AHA) is proud to announce the launch of the newly redesigned Humanist Magazine website. The launch marks the beginning of a more user-friendly interface, creating greater opportunity for humanists to exchange ideas and connect. The Humanist, which was introduced in 1941, recently transitioned to a full-color print format.
Evangelical Chaplain Endorser Shows Ignorance, Hostility toward Military Humanists and Atheists
Posted April 28, 2011 at 1:44pmLeadership at the American Humanist Association expressed frustration with comments made by Paul Vicalvi, executive director of National Association of Evangelicals Chaplain Commission, who brusquely dismissed the need for atheists and humanists serving as military chaplains, believing that humanists don’t qualify to serve as chaplains in the military and atheists are a “militant minority … specifically against evangelical Christianity.” The remarks were made in response to a recent New York Times article reporting the growing non-believer chaplaincy movement within the military.
Humanists Respond to National Day of Prayer Case Setback
Posted April 15, 2011 at 12:45pm(April 15, 2011, Washington, DC) Leadership at the American Humanist Association expressed anger today over the decision by a federal appeals court to overturn last year’s ruling which declared the National Day of Prayer unconstitutional. 7th Court of Appeals Chief Judge Frank H. Easterbrook overturned the ruling, saying that the plaintiff, the Freedom from Religion Foundation, lacked standing to bring the suit.
Humanists Hold 70th Annual Conference in Cambridge, Massachusetts
Posted April 08, 2011 at 12:31pm(Cambridge, MA, April 8, 2010) On the evening of Friday, April 7, writer and professor of philosophy Rebecca Goldstein will be named the American Humanist Association's 2011 Humanist of the Year at the 70th Annual AHA Conference. Goldstein will be one of many luminaries awarded at the conference, which is being held in Cambridge, Massachusetts, April 7 through 10.
American Humanist Association Unveils Richard Dawkins Ad
Posted March 29, 2011 at 8:21am(Washington D.C., March 28, 2011) The American Humanist Association has unveiled its newest advertisement in light of the 70th Anniversary National Conference, to be held April 7-10, 2011 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The ads, which feature 1996 Humanist of the Year Richard Dawkins, address a common fallacy of organized religion.
“We are all atheists about most of the gods that societies have ever believed in,” reads Dawkins’ quote in the ad. “Some of us just go one god further.” The ads will be featured in the Harvard Crimson, the MIT Tech, and a billboard near Harvard Square.
The ads can be viewed here, and the billboard can be viewed here.
“People don’t realize how common it is to reject the principles of other faiths,” said Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association. “Dawkins illuminates this point, drawing attention to this universal truth that many choose to disregard out of ignorance or pure convenience.”
The conference will feature guests Richard Dawkins, Rebecca Goldstein, Steve Wozniak, Bart Ehrman, Steven Pinker, Roy Zimmerman, Jeff Sharlet, Bill Baird, Judy Norsigian, and Candace Gingrich-Jones, as well as break-out sessions, plenaries, and awards banquets. For more information, please visit http://www.americanhumanist.org/conference.
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The American Humanist Association (www.americanhumanist.org ) advocates for the rights and viewpoints of humanists. Founded in 1941 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., its work is extended through more than 100 local chapters and affiliates across America.
Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life that, without theism, affirms our responsibility to lead ethical lives of value to self and humanity.
American Humanist Association Decries “In God We Trust” Motto Resolution
Posted March 18, 2011 at 9:07amAmerican Humanist Association leadership expressed disapproval today of the House Judiciary Committee passage of H. Con. Res 13, which reaffirms the official motto of the United States as “In God We Trust.” The resolution, if passed in the House of Representatives, would encourage the display of “In God We Trust” on public buildings, including government institutions and public schools.
Humanists Proudly Endorse Rep. Pete Stark's Darwin Day Resolution
Posted February 10, 2011 at 8:59amThe American Humanist Association (AHA) is proud to announce Representative Pete Stark’s (D-CA) proposal of H. Res. 81 calling for the designation of February 12, 2011 as Darwin Day.
Obama Praises Humanist Values at National Prayer Breakfast
Posted February 03, 2011 at 1:41pmLeaders at the American Humanist Association (AHA) were pleased today with remarks made by President Obama at the Annual National Prayer Breakfast recognizing his nontheistic family upbringing.
Humanists Applaud Decision to Remove Ten Commandments Display from Courtroom
Posted February 03, 2011 at 10:10amThe American Humanist Association (AHA) applauded the decision of an Ohio appeals court to remove a Ten Commandments display from the courtroom of an Ohio state judge. The poster display, which appeared in the courtroom of Judge James DeWeese, juxtaposed the "moral absolutes" of the Ten Commandments with the "moral relativism" of humanist principles.
Governor Bentley Slaps Non-Religious Constituents a Second Time
Posted January 20, 2011 at 12:41pmThe American Humanist Association (AHA) was dissatisfied with Governor Bentley’s apology this morning for the comments made dismissing non-Christians as not part of his “family.” Governor Bentley said to reporters Wednesday, “If anyone from other religions felt disenfranchised by the language, I want to say I am sorry. I am sorry if I offended anyone in any way.”
