Press Release

TT: Toward Tradition or Toward Theocracy?

Contact Information
Tony Hileman, Executive Director
(202) 238-9088

(Washington, D.C. - February 4, 2002) The American Humanist Association (AHA) announces the release of its exposé, "TT: Toward Tradition or Toward Theocracy?" This fourteen page report details the extreme mission of Toward Tradition (TT) and its founder, Rabbi Daniel Lapin, showing how this organization justifies violence, condemns tolerance, and targets secularists and Muslims.

As the report details, TT supports violence when political activism fails. Advocates effectively teach their listeners similar lessons to that taught by the Al Qaeda: wage war against Humanists and secularists, and be willing to sacrifice your own life and that of others for the attainment of goals you passionately believe in. TT called the September 11 terrorists attacks, "the most sickening act of cruelty" yet they simultaneously imply a similar level of "religious activism."

Lapin targets secularists as the scapegoats for all of America's problems, and he made it his priority to roll "back the epidemic of secularism that was unleashed on this country…" Non-theists are the enemy as Lapin asserts, "It is utterly permissible to condemn secular liberalism." This report shows that by first condemning secular America as evil, and then condoning violence as the proper response to evil, TT tacitly provides prospective followers with justification for violence against fellow Americans.

Not stopping with Humanists and Muslims, TT associates tolerance itself with evil. It appears that all who do not follow Lapin's narrow interpretation of Judeo-Christian faith are promoting evil. AHA Executive Director Tony Hileman responds, "To turn people into second-class citizens for their refusal to adhere to specific beliefs is unacceptable under any moral code. Lapin's TT is against tolerance, diversity, peace and the formation of a truly inclusive society."

The report shows how Lapin's radicalism may be partially explained by his close ties to Christian fundamentalists. Lapin says, "If a Jew speaks out against that [the Christian Coalition's political agenda] … he is speaking as a liberal, and not as a Jew."

AHA executive director Tony Hileman comments, "Being humane means having an ability to see differences as an opportunity to broaden humanity, not as a threat to humanity. While Toward Tradition opposes this perspective and opposes tolerance outright, we at the AHA, along with millions of people of goodwill, are supportive of the diversity that makes our country great."

"Toward Tradition's extremism is a slap at all Americans who value the diversity and freedom most of us work hard to defend," AHA President Edd Doerr adds. "Our report exposes the dangerous bigotry that some 'traditionalists' adhere to. Instead of returning to a false vision of the past, Humanists, like most Americans look to a future of understanding, compassion and appreciation for humanity."

To receive your copy of the full report call us or download it from our website at: (www.americanhumanist.org/press/TT_report.pdf).

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 outlook, based on reason and experience, which embraces all of humanity.

Read the Report (pdf format)

"Http://www.americanhumanist.org/press"