About the Humanist Magazine
The Humanist magazine applies humanism—a rational philosophy without theism or other supernatural beliefs that is informed by science, guided by reason, inspired by art, and motivated by compassion—to broad areas of social, political, and personal concern. The magazine functions to educate those new to humanism and to challenge longtime humanists. It seeks to provide a wide range of material that strives for ethical cohesion while also exploring where humanists diverge—not to further divide but to air, discuss, elucidate, and continually refine humanism.
In pursuit of alternative ideas, the Humanist airs opinions that may not necessarily reflect those of the editors or the publisher, the American Humanist Association (AHA). The AHA is a membership organization founded in 1941 whose history can be traced back to 1927, when professors and seminarians at the University of Chicago organized the Humanist Fellowship, and began publishing the New Humanist magazine. By 1935 the Humanist Fellowship had become the Humanist Press Association, replacing the New Humanist with the Humanist Bulletin. The Humanist Press Association reorganized itself in 1941 as the American Humanist Association and began printing the Humanist magazine under the editorship of Edwin H. Wilson. (Read about former editors at the bottom of this page and click here for more on the AHA).
With a distinguished cadre of writers covering everything from science and religion to media and technology to politics and popular culture, the Humanist continues to challenge readers with insightful ethical critique and commentary on the central issues of our time.
Learn more about writing for the Humanist here.
Learn more about advertising in the Humanist here.
View the full staff directory for the American Humanist Association.
Editor
Contributing Editors
Fred Edwords, Karen Ann Gajewski, David Schafer, Kate Uesugi, Michael Werner
Editorial Advisory Board
Daniel Dennett, Michelle Goldberg, Wendy Kaminer, Marty Klein, Joyce Carol Oates, Steven Pinker, Robert Price, Peter Singer
Staff
Science & Religion Correspondent
Clay Farris Naff
Arts Editor
Daniel Thomas Moran
Copy Editor
Amy Couch, Meredith Thompson
Art Director
Sharon McGill
Bookkeeper, Member/Subscriber Services, Reprint Permissions
Joaquin Cabrejas
Contact
The Humanist Magazine
1821 Jefferson Place NW
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 238-9088
Fax: (202) 238-9003
E-mail: info@thehumanist.org
Former Editors
The Humanist
Jennifer Bardi, Nov/Dec 2006 – Nov/Dec 2020
Fred Edwords, Nov/Dec 1994 – Sept/Oct 2006
Gerry O’Sullivan and Rick Szyknowy, Nov/Dec 1993 – Sept/Oct 1994
Don Page, Jan/Feb 1993 – Sept/Oct 1993
Rick Szyknowy, Jan/Feb 1991 – Nov/Dec 1992
David Alexander, Sept/Oct 1990 – Nov/Dec 1991
Lloyd Morain, Jan/Feb 1979 – Jul/Aug 1990
Lloyd Morain (acting editor Paul Kurtz’s sabbatical), March/April to Sept/Oct 1978
Paul Kurtz, Sept/Oct 1967 – Nov/Dec 1978 (but see above)
Tolbert H. McCarroll (Editorial Director) Jan/Feb 1965 – July/Aug 1967
Judith Yellen (Managing Editor), Jan/Feb 1965 – Jan/Feb 1967
Edwin H. Wilson, July/Aug 1963 – Nov/Dec 1964
Gerald Wendt, June 1959 – May/June 1962
Priscilla Robertson, May/June 1956 – March/April 1959
Edwin H. Wilson, Spring 1941 – March/April 1956
The Humanist Bulletin
Edwin H. Wilson, Feb 1938 – Jan 1941
The New Humanist
Raymond B. Bragg, Feb/March 1935 – Autumn 1936
Harold Buschman, Dec 1929 – Dec 1934
Herrlee G. Creel, Nov 1928 – May 1929
Stanley Stewart Newman, April 1928 – Oct 1928