MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR: Humanism

A number of people ask whether or not humanists are just atheists by another name. Are they? According to our last membership survey, a majority of humanists would also identify as atheists, but that doesn’t make the words synonyms. Humanists share a positive philosophy drawing foundational principles of compassion and equality from the empathy we feel for all of humanity and the world in which we live. While our scientific source of knowledge implies atheism or agnosticism, we’ve had decades to apply this caring and rational philosophy to many areas of life beyond the God question. That’s why the American Humanist Association spends so much time on humanist education, philosophical debate, legal activism, legislative advocacy, and media outreach. It’s that positive lifestance that calls us to action—to make this world a better place for all.

Roy Speckhardt
Executive Director