Historic Humanists- Clara Barton

Clarissa Harlowe Barton (better known as Clara Barton) (December 25, 1821 (although there is a confusion with her date of birth, as her birth certificate says the 25th, while her family members say that she was born the day before Christmas, the 24th)–April 12, 1912) was a pioneer American teacher, nurse, and humanitarian. She has been described as having had an “indomitable spirit” and is best remembered for organizing the American Red Cross. Read on…

Historical Humanists- Professor Henri Louis Bergson

Religion is to mysticism what popularization is to science”

“Homo sapiens, the only creature endowed with reason, is also the only creature to pin its existence on things unreasonable”

“The essential function of the universe, which is a machine for making gods.” Read on…

Historical Humanists- Bagehot, Walter

Great and terrible systems of divinity and philosophy lie round about us, which, if true, might drive a wise man mad.”

“So long as there are earnest believers in the world, they will always wish to punish opinions, even if their judgment tells them it unwise, and their conscience it is wrong.”

— Walter Bagehot Read on…

Famous Unbelievers- Allen, Woody

“If only God would give me some clear sign! Like making a large deposit in my name in a Swiss bank. ”

“Not only is there no God, but try getting a plumber on weekends.”

“To you I’m an atheist; to God, I’m the Loyal Opposition. ”

— Woody Allen Read on…

Historical Humanists- Allen, Colonel Ethan

There is not any thing, which has contributed so much to delude mankind in religious matters, as mistaken apprehensions concerning supernatural inspiration or revelation; not considering that all true religion originates from reason, and can not otherwise be understood, but by the exercise and improvement of it.”
— Ethan Allen
Read on…

No Place in Europe for Islam

In stark contrast to the British and American attempts to push back the march of Secularism, France’s rhetoric against Islam has strengthened. The French president, Nicholas Sarkozy, is now fighting a desperate battle against the French Socialists and the far right to keep his job, and maintain the powerful Franco-German union at the reigns of power in the EU. Read on…

Historical Humanists- Beauvoir, Simone de

“I cannot be angry at God, in whom I do not believe.”

“Christianity gave eroticism its savor of sin and legend when it endowed the human female with a soul.”

— Simone de Beauvoir Read on…

Famous Freethinkers- Adams, Douglas Noel

AMERICAN ATHEISTS: Mr. Adams, you have been described as a “radical Atheist.” Is this accurate? DOUGLAS ADAMS: I think I use the term radical rather loosely, just for emphasis. If you describe yourself as “Atheist,” some people will say, “Don’t you mean ‘Agnostic’?” I have to reply that I really do mean Atheist.”…I really do mean Atheist. I really do not believe that there is a god – in fact I am convinced that there is not a god (a … Read on…

So You Want to Be an Emperor?

It has been observed that if you want to be an emperor, it is better by far to be one at the beginning of the empire than at the end, when the whole enterprise is collapsing. If so, this is as good a season as any to start thinking about how to get there. Empires have been out of fashion for several generations, but history moves in cycles, and the day of the empire is returning. Read on…