Gordon Stein 1941-1996

A humanist memorial celebration of Gordon Stein's life was held at the Center for Inquiry, August 30, 1996. The following are quotations from two of the eulogies pre- sented.—EDs.

rr he entire secular humanist, rational- enior Editor of FREE INQUIRY Gordon ist, atheist, and freethought move- Stein died August 27, at Buffalo General ment has lost a valued colleague and Hospital after a brief illness. He was 55. Gordon received a Ph.D. in physiology friend. from Ohio State University in 1974. He later Gordon Stein had prodigious knowl- obtained a second master's degree in library edge of the literature of the movement, science at University of California at Los and especially of its historical roots. As Angeles. He taught at the University of Director of the newly established Center Rhode Island. At the time of his death he for Inquiry Libraries, he assumed the task was Director of Libraries at the Center for wrote and lectured extensively on that sub- of "collecting the important materials Inquiry. He was making excellent progress ject, and he penned a biography of the noto- in amassing the largest collection of free- rious spiritualist medium D. D. Home, called ... and housing them in a secure envi- thought and skeptical literature in the world. The Sorcerer of Kings (1993). ronment where they will be treasured, In addition to his work for FREE INQUIRY, Just over two weeks before his death, protected, and used." In an article on he edited the magazine American although he was very ill (his cancer having "Preserving Our Freethought Heritage," Rationalist. His books included Robert G. progressed further than any of us knew), he published in FREE INQUIRY in the Spring Ingersoll (1969), An Anthology of Atheism insisted on accompanying a group who were of 1994, he indicated how important he and Rationalism (1980), and The attending the Center for Inquiry Institute on and we thought that this venture was. Encyclopedia of Unbelief (1985). a trip to the Spiritualist colony at Lily Dale, Gordon was also a well-known authority New York. While his chemotherapy treat- Although Gordon made a valiant start on hoaxes and deceptions. For several years ment caused him to tire quickly, he shared in this endeavor, unfortunately his prior to his death he was a Technical with everyone his vast knowledge of untimely death prevented him from com- Consultant to the Committee for the Spiritualism and helped make the outing pleting this important work. Scientific Investigation of Claims of the especially educational. We at the Center for Inquiry are intent Paranormal, headquartered at The Center for Survivors include a former wife, Barbara to continue "preserving our freethought Inquiry. (Laiks) Stein, and their daughter Karen. He heritage." He was editor of the Encyclopedia of is also survived by another former wife, Eve Hoaxes (1993) and, most recently, The Truffo, and his only sister, Irna S. Jay. It is fitting in this brief tribute to Encyclopedia of the Paranormal (1996), In keeping with his wishes, his remains Gordon Stein that we excerpt from his published by Prometheus Books. were cremated. Gifts to the Library Fund in Encyclopedia of Unbelief below. His two areas of specialty, humanism and memory of Gordon Stein will be gratefully hoaxes, combined to make him an authority received. on Spiritualism (the supposed communica- —Paul Kurtz tion with spirits of the dead) as well. He —Joe Nickell

Atheism and Unbelief

any of the innovations in science any action. This argument is rarely heard There are a large number of people and philosophy have come from today, as the number of people who are who can and do manage to lead decent unbelievers, some of whom died for their openly atheists has become so large that upright lives with no use for a belief in "unbeliefs." Without unbelief, we might its falsity is self-evident. Atheists do God as a guide. Atheists do not care well be living in the Dark Ages—or at have a moral code to guide them. It is whether others believe as they do. They least in the intellectual equivalent of that usually based upon the Golden Rule, do ask, however, for the right to believe as time. plus a variety of utilitarian reasons, they wish . . . . In past centuries many theists sav- although there are a number of other pos- agely attacked atheists on the ground that sible systems. Rather than being someone without a belief in God must be immoral, most atheists are extremely —From the Encyclopedia of Unbelief, a moral "monster," who would permit moral. by Gordon Stein

Fall 1996 45