humanism
What’s the biggest misconception about atheists?
By Chris Stedman — April 4, 2014
"What's the biggest misconception people have about atheists?" Several secular leaders weigh in for RNS. Read their thoughts and share yours.
On race and atheism: An interview with Anthony Pinn
By Chris Stedman — April 1, 2014
Dr. Anthony B. Pinn speaks with RNS about his new book and how atheists can get better at talking about the intersections of race, ethnicity, and nontheism.
Does the Air Force ‘encourage atheism’ and ‘prosecute Christianity’?
By Chris Stedman — March 24, 2014
Is the Air Force Academy creating an atmosphere that "encourage[s] atheism [and] prosecute[s] Christianity," as a commentator is claiming? No. Here's why.
Author Katie Heaney on friendship, feminism, and lessons learned from not dating
By Chris Stedman — March 19, 2014
Author Katie Heaney talks with RNS about her beliefs, her book, the value of friendship, feminism among atheists, agnostics, and the nonreligious, and what she's learned from being single her entire life (so far).
Nick Sagan on ‘Cosmos,’ Carl, and his “strange childhood”
By Chris Stedman — March 16, 2014
Carl Sagan's son Nick talks with RNS about his father's impact, memories from his "strange" and "surreal" childhood, the new "Cosmos," and what it was like to record a greeting for potential extraterrestrials at six years old.
Atheists can be homophobic and sexist, too
By Chris Stedman — March 10, 2014
The rights of women and LGBTQ people have been a big topic of discussion in the atheist blogosphere recently—with some asking whether or not homophobic or sexist atheists actually exist.
‘Cosmos’ and Carl Sagan’s legacy: An interview with SETI Sagan Center Director David Morrison
By Chris Stedman — March 6, 2014
David Morrison, Carl Sagan's first doctoral student and current Director of the Carl Sagan Center at the SETI Institute, speaks with RNS about Sagan's legacy, what it was like to be one of Sagan’s students, the “Cosmos” reboot, and more.
Frans de Waal on Ken Ham, Richard Dawkins, and morality without religion
By Chris Stedman — February 28, 2014
Dutch primatologist Frans de Waal speaks with RNS about the Bill Nye and Ken Ham creationism debate, "selfish genes," and what humanists can learn from religion.
5 reasons atheists shouldn’t call religion a mental illness
By Chris Stedman — February 24, 2014
A number of prominent atheists have equated religion with mental illness. Here are five reasons atheists should avoid this problematic parallel.
Can atheists and theists intermarry? A Valentine’s Day question for Susan Katz Miller
By Chris Stedman — February 12, 2014
The very idea of marrying across religious lines presents a challenge to many atheists, agnostics, and nonreligious people—with some suggesting that atheists and theists may seriously struggle in dating, marrying, or raising children together. 'Being Both' author Susan Katz Miller shares her thoughts.
Can you be a Jewish atheist? Ask this Humanist Rabbi
By Chris Stedman — January 27, 2014
Can you be a Jewish atheist? It depends on who you ask.
First U.S. atheist university chaplain: a legacy of kindness
By Chris Stedman — January 23, 2014
Tom was a trailblazer—an openly gay man working as a professional atheist in a time when both of those things were far more stigmatized than they are today, he founded the Humanist Chaplaincy in 1974 as a home for Harvard’s atheist, agnostic, and nonreligious students.
Atheists launch MLK Day of Service in Flagstaff
By Chris Stedman — January 19, 2014
For what is likely the first time ever, a group of nontheists have founded a citywide Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Day of Service. Here's how a group of atheists and agnostics launched Flagstaff, Arizona's first MLK Day of Service.
Four atheists and Humanists travel the world to help humanity: An interview with Conor Robinson
By Chris Stedman — January 13, 2014
As we begin 2014, the four atheists and Humanists of the pioneering Pathfinders Project—perhaps the first international service trip specifically organized for atheists and Humanists—are already reaching the halfway point of a year of service to others.
2013: Atheism’s 10 defining moments
By Chris Stedman — December 31, 2013
Atheism was in the headlines perhaps more than ever before in 2013. To highlight some of atheism’s defining moments and trends from the last year, I worked with a panel of ten writers, scholars, and activists to come up with ten major moments or currents in American atheism from 2013. Their contributions are below. Godless […]