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American Humanist Association

Advocating progressive values and equality for humanists, atheists, and freethinkers

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      For over 80 years, the AHA has proudly served as the leading progressive voice in America on behalf of humanists, atheists, agnostics, and freethinkers.

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      Guided by reason, inspired by compassion, and informed by experience.

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      We are committed to building an inclusive America grounded in an embrace of reason, ethics, scientific inquiry, and compassion- rather than religious dogma.

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Famous Humanists in History

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Below is a list of just some of the world’s most prominent leaders, thinkers, and activists in philosophy, justice, science, and the arts that have proudly associated with the American Humanist Association:

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Bestselling Authors

  • Joyce Carol Oates
  • Isaac Asimov
  • Salman Rushdie
  • Kurt Vonnegut
  • Margaret Atwood
  • Gore Vidal

Scientists and Science Advocates

  • Steve Wozniak
  • Carolyn Porco
  • Bill Nye
  • Carl Sagan
  • Steven Pinker
  • Edward O. Wilson
  • Jonas Salk

Philosophers

  • Rebecca Newberger Goldstein
  • Daniel Dennett
  • Corliss Lamont
  • John Dewey
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Prominent Activists

  • Gloria Steinem
  • Jessica Valenti
  • Dan Savage
  • Betty Friedan
  • Jack Kevorkian
  • Philip Randolph

Political Leaders

  • Jared Huffman
  • Barney Frank
  • Jamie Raskin
  • Pete Stark

Actors, Directors, Writers, and Entertainers

  • John de Lancie
  • Julia Sweeney
  • Kelly Carlin
  • Steve Allen
  • Norman Lear
  • Oliver Stone
  • Stephen Jay Gould
  • Gene Roddenberry
  • Katharine Hepburn
  • Kristen Bell
  • Dax Shepard

Media and Journalism

  • Amy Goodman
  • Cenk Uygur
  • Michelle Goldberg
  • Ira Flatow
  • Pacifica Radio Foundation
  • The Onion
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I am a humanist, which means, in part, that I have tried to behave decently without rewards or punishment after I am dead.

-Kurt Vonnegut, 1994 Humanist of the Year and Past AHA Honorary President

When we speak of equality, of women and men, of blacks and whites, of all the world’s people, we are talking about humanism.
-Gloria Steinem, 2012 Humanist of the Year

Humanists recognize that it is only when people feel free to think for themselves, using reason as their guide, that they are best capable of developing values that succeed in satisfying human needs and serving human interests.
-Isaac Asimov, 1984 Humanist of the Year and Past AHA President

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March 14, 2023 Featured, Press Releases

AHA Launches Registration for First In-Person Annual Conference in Three Years

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March 6, 2023 Featured, Press Releases

American Humanist Association Statement on the Supreme Court Refusing to Hear Case of Ocala, Florida, Prayer Vigil

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American Humanist Association
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