Press Release

One-Year Anniversary of Humanism and Its Aspirations

For Immediate Release - Contact: Roy Speckhardt at (202) 238-9088

(Washington, D.C., April 21, 2004) Thousands of people have added their signatures to Humanism and Its Aspirations since its initial release one year ago today. Signers of this successor document to the Humanist Manifesto of 1933, which launched the Humanist movement, now include over 20 Nobel laureates as well as celebrities and influential thinkers including Michael Newdow, Oliver Stone, Patricia Schroeder, Studs Terkel, Daniel Dennett, Janet Jeppson Asimov, Richard Dawkins, Vashti McCollum, Katha Pollitt, Thomas Szasz, Edward O. Wilson, Patricia Bruder, Kurt Vonnegut, Arun Gandhi, Pervez Hoodbhoy, and James "Amazing" Randi.

"This landmark document succinctly details a positive and personal Humanism. Nontheistic in nature, it unapologetically confronts supernatural interpretations of reality while emphasizing Humanism's respect for 'those of differing yet humane views,'" said Tony Hileman, executive director of the American Humanist Association, on this document's one-year anniversary.

Fred Edwords, chair of the drafting committee, the voice of Humanism as a guest on many radio and television programs, and editor of the Humanist magazine added, "This modern manifesto gives more emphasis to compassion as the motivating force behind the Humanist commitment to reason and therefore expresses the fullness of what it means to be human."

The document also calls on Humanists to act on their beliefs, as it reads, "We aspire to this vision with the informed conviction that humanity has the ability to progress toward its highest ideals. The responsibility for our lives and the kind of world in which we live is ours and ours alone."

The full document is available at: www.AmericanHumanist.org

The American Humanist Association is the oldest and largest Humanist organization in the nation. The AHA is dedicated to ensuring a voice for those with a positive nontheistic outlook, based on reason and experience, which embraces all of humanity .

Press Room