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Comment by Brian Magee on July 25, 2012 at 3:47pm

Please take a moment to sign and share this petition asking the White House to support efforts to free Alexander Aan, a man jailed in Indonesia for doubting the existence of a god.

If the petition gets 25,000 signatures, the White House guarantees a formal response. The deadline is Aug. 16.

You can read more about the Alexander Aan case here: http://www.americanhumanist.org/HNN/details/2012-05-the-story-of-al...

Comment by Brian Magee on July 24, 2012 at 11:22am

Godless billboards return to Moscow with “Humanism Works”
For Immediate Release

Humanists of the Palouse Contact: Tyler Palmer, 208-310-3053
tylerp1980@msn.com
American Humanist Association Contact: Brian Magee, 202-238-9088
bmagee@americanhumanist.org

(Moscow, ID – July 24, 2012) – Local humanists and atheists are once again announcing their presence in the Palouse with a billboard campaign. The “Humanism Works” campaign began July 23 with the placement of a billboard on Highway 95, south of Palouse River Drive. The six-week campaign is the first in a planned series of advertisements aimed at educating the public about humanism—the idea that you can be good without belief in a god.

This first billboard reads “Ethical values are derived from human need and interest as tested by experience. Humanism Works!” This statement is one of the current principles of humanism adopted by the American Humanist Association. Additional principles will be highlighted in future ads. A complete list can be found in Humanism and Its Aspirationshere: http://www.americanhumanist.org/Humanism/Humanist_Manifesto_III

“Our billboard campaign aims to introduce the idea that ethics don’t have to come from an ancient text like the Bible or Koran,” said American Humanist Association Executive Director Roy Speckhardt. “Upon discovering humanism, we find many who say, ‘That’s what I’ve believed all along.’”

The American Humanist Association and Humanists of the Palouse, a local AHA chapter, are working together to build on past campaigns and events, including the highly successful “Darwin on the Palouse” two-day festival held in February.

Speckhardt continued, “We are proud to be working with the Humanists of the Palouse again to bring more humanists and atheists in the area together.”

More information about Humanists of the Palouse can be found on their website: http://humanistsofthepalouse.org

###

The American Humanist Association (www.AmericanHumanist.org) advocates for the rights and viewpoints of humanists. Founded in 1941 and headquartered in Washington, DC, its work is extended through more than 150 local chapters and affiliates across America. Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life that, without theism, affirms our responsibility to lead ethical lives of value to self and humanity.

Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life that, without theism, affirms our responsibility to lead ethical lives of value to self and humanity.

Comment by Brian Magee on July 20, 2012 at 4:37pm

Humanists Denounce Rep. Gohmert's Comments Linking Colorado Shootings to “Attacks on Judeo-Christian Beliefs”

For Immediate Release

Contact: Brian Magee, 202-238-9088, mobile: (202) 681-2425, bmagee@americanhumanist.org

(Washington, DC – July 20, 2012) – Humanists are expressing ire over the comments made today by Rep. Louie Gohmert (Texas) suggesting that last night’s shooting at a Colorado movie theater was linked to “ongoing attacks on Judeo-Christian beliefs.” Gohmert participated in a radio interview on The Heritage Foundation’s “Istook Live!” show and was reported in The Huffington Post.

“Rep. Louis Gohmert truly tortures logic when he concludes that this violence had something to do with perceived attacks on majority faith in America,” said Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association. “At a time when families are mourning in the wake of this tragedy, Gohmert used it as an opportunity to push a religious agenda.”  

Gohmert suggested the shootings could have been avoided if the country placed a higher value on God when he stated, “We've threatened high school graduation participations, if they use God's name, they're going to be jailed ... I mean that kind of stuff. Where was God? What have we done with God? We don't want him around. I kind of like his protective hand being present."

 “Our condolences go out to the victims and families of the Colorado movie theater shooting,” Speckhardt continued. “In the aftermath of this terrible event, we hope that communities can work together, using reason, to prevent such tragedies in the future. Rep. Gohmert’s overt religious pandering has no place in the wake of tragedy like this.”

Comment by Brian Magee on July 19, 2012 at 3:05pm

In the latest edition of Humanist Network News, the AHA's Steve Major lets us know who he thinks are the top 10 atheist characters on television.

Comment by Brian Magee on July 17, 2012 at 3:41pm

Nonbeliever Nation: The Rise of Secular Americans by AHA President David Niose is now available!

This book about secular Americans emerging to fight for equality and rational public policy has been praised by Richard Dawkins, Stephen Pinker, Michael Shermer and others.

Comment by Brian Magee on July 16, 2012 at 9:34am

Are you a federal employee? Support your values and donate to American Humanist Association through the Combined Federal Campaign! Our CFC number is 19492. Learn more at www.opm.gov/cfc.

Comment by Brian Magee on July 13, 2012 at 4:26pm

Wilmington, NC City Council Asked To Stop Unconstitutional Sectarian Prayers

For Immediate Release

Contact:
William J. Burgess, 202-238-9088, bburgess@americanhumanist.org
Brian Magee, 202-238-9088, mobile: (202) 681-2425, bmagee@americanhumanist.org

(Washington, DC – July 13, 2012) – The American Humanist Association is asking the Wilmington, NC city council to stop holding sectarian prayers during public meetings because it is a violation of the separation of church and state. The prayers have frequently been expressly Christian in nature.

The AHA’s legal department, the Appignani Humanist Legal Center, sent a letter on July 11, 2012 to the Wilmington City Council pointing out why including of exclusive sectarian prayers during council meetings is unconstitutional and must cease. The letter includes details about the legal decisions that clearly make the practice unconstitutional, asking the council to realize that “all city residents deserve to feel welcome when interacting with their government. Beginning public meetings with divisive prayers produces the opposite effect, corroding the broad civic engagement that is fundamental to the proper functioning of our secular and democratic form of government.”

“Sectarian prayers before public governmental meetings are unconstitutional because it amounts to an official endorsement of the particular religion that the prayers reflect,” wrote Appignani Legal Center Director William J. Burgess in his letter. “The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has been very clear in its cases interpreting the Establishment Clause in this area.”

“The Wilmington City Council should create an environment where everyone is welcome,” said American Humanist Association Executive Director Roy Speckhardt. “By continuing to include prayers that openly endorse a single religion, the council is telling Wilmington citizens outside that faith that they are unwelcome.”

A copy of the letter can be found online here: http://humanistlegalcenter.org/main/legal-center-opposes-wilmington...

Comment by Brian Magee on July 12, 2012 at 2:10pm

AHA Meets with U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom on Capitol Hill

American Humanist Association Executive Director Roy Speckhardt and AHA Communications Director Maggie Ardiente met with several members of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom today at the U.S. Capitol to represent humanists, atheists, and agnostics in the United States and abroad. In addition, the American Humanist Association also met with the staff of Congresspersons who are members of the International Religious Freedom Caucus and representatives from the U.S. Department of State's Office of International Religious Freedom.

Members of the working group of organizations concerned with religious freedom abroad include a diverse range of religious and civil liberties organizations in Washington DC. The American Humanist Association was the only nontheist organization in attendance and highlighted the need to include people of non-faith in the protection of religious freedom.

Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett, chairperson for the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, was present at the meeting and discussed ways in which the commission plans to work with NGO organizations and hear more about each community of faith and non-faith in order to achieve the goal of religious freedom for all. Representatives from other organizations highlighted the need for support in countries such as Kazakhstan, Pakistan, and Nigeria, where individuals are being persecuted for their beliefs as a member of a minority religion. The American Humanist Association is particularly concerned with atheist discrimination, such as the case of Alexander Aan, who was sentenced to jail in Indonesia for being an atheist.

The AHA looks forward to future meetings with the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, the International Religious Freedom Caucus, and the U.S. State Department's Office of International Religious Freedom to work toward the common goal of freedom of conscience and belief.

Comment by Brian Magee on July 10, 2012 at 4:09pm

Did you read this CNN story about optimism, Is Optimism Really Good For You? What about this NY Times piece on the false ideas we think make us happy, Don't Indulge, Be Happy?

The latest book from Humanist Press, Hope in Small Doses, by Nikki Stern outlines the embrace of a redefined, re-imagined version of hope--one that works for aware, intelligent skeptics.
Be sure to check out all six of Nikki Stern's videos for the book on YouTube.

Comment by Brian Magee on July 9, 2012 at 2:34pm

Here is a summarized version of Humanism and its Aspirations, the most recent Humanist Manifesto adopted by the AHA Board of Directors (2003). These cards are available free to AHA chapters and affiliates.

The entire one-page document can be found here: http://www.americanhumanist.org/Humanism/Humanist_Manifesto_III

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