MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR: Humanists United for Boston

It’s hard to convey the sadness and anger many of us are feeling right now in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings. But one of things I can always rely on as a humanist is that I have hope that human beings will be quick to respond with compassion and action. Rather than focusing on blame and hate, people have donated blood and opened up their homes. Twitter users are using hashtags like #ActForBoston rather than #PrayForBoston to raise awareness. Boston area chapters of the American Humanist Association, such as the Humanist Community at Harvard, and other local atheist groups are lending their support, and the charitable group Atheists Giving Aid has already raised over $7,000 for the victims. The American Humanist Association encourages all our members to help where they can—giving to the American Red Cross is a great first step (Red Cross reports that they already have enough donated blood, but financial donations are always needed).

Comedian (and atheist) Patton Oswalt said it best: “We would not be here if humanity were inherently evil. We’d have eaten ourselves alive long ago. So when you spot violence, or bigotry, or intolerance or…hatred…just look it in the eye and think, ‘The good outnumber you, and we always will.”

Maggie Ardiente
Editor, HNN

A Note to Readers: HNN is taking a brief hiatus (your editor will be getting married and honeymooning next week!). The next issue of HNN will be published on May 8.