Message from the Editor: I’m a Humanist …and an Atheist, Freethinker, Nontheist…

I wasn’t surprised to see the results of our last HNN poll, “How do you best identify yourself?” With over 700 votes cast, the top two identifying labels for the freethought community were “Humanist” at 36% of the vote and “Atheist” at a close 32%. I myself use both terms depending on the situation, and I’m sure many of you do the same.

You’ll soon see a new tagline from the American Humanist Association that recognizes the diversity of labels that our members use in everyday conversation—whether it’s chatting with a fellow member of a local chapter on ethics without religion, or introducing the concept of “good without God” to a religious friend. Whether you identify as humanist, atheist, agnostic, nontheist, freethinker or other, we are all advocating for progressive values and equality for our rights. 

Maggie Ardiente 
Editor, HNN