FI Feb-Mar 2006 Pages 1/3/06 11:34 AM Page 4 EDITORIAL FI Editorial Staff PAUL KURTZ Editor in Chief Paul Kurtz Editor Thomas W. Flynn Associate Editors Nathan Bupp, Austin Dacey, David Koepsell Managing Editor Deputy Editor Andrea Szalanski Norm R. Allen Jr. Columnists Vern Bullough, Arthur Caplan, Richard Dawkins, Shadia B. Drury, Sam Harris, Nat Hentoff, Christopher Hitchens, Wendy Kaminer, Tibor R. Machan, Peter Singer Ethics Editor Elliot D. Cohen Literary Editor Jennifer Michael Hecht Senior Editors Vern L. Bullough, Bill Cooke, Hurrah for Richard Dawkins, Martin Gardner, James A. Haught, Jim Herrick, Gerald A. Larue, Taslima Nasrin Freedom of Inquiry: Contributing Editors Jo Ann Boydston, Albert Ellis, Roy P. Fairfield, Charles Faulkner, Antony Flew, Levi Fragell, Adolf Grünbaum, Marvin Kohl, Thelma Lavine, Lee Nisbet, J.J.C. Smart, Vital Issues for Svetozar Stojanovi´c, Thomas Szasz Editorial Associate DJ Grothe Secular Humanists Editorial Assistant David Park Musella Art Director Lisa A. Hutter here is an ongoing debate among secular humanists as to Production what our priorities should be, and in particular, what Christopher Fix, Paul E. Loynes Sr. should be the primary focus of FREE INQUIRY. Two subjects Cartoonist Webmaster Don Addis Kevin Christopher have been among the most hotly debated. First is the burn- Contributing Illustrators T ing desire of many secular humanists that we engage in political Brad Marshall, Todd Julie activism. Many secularists, naturalists, and humanists believe that Cover Illustration Todd Julie the United States faces so many critical problems that we need to focus far more intensely on the political battles of today, especially Council for Secular Humanism the culture wars with the Religious Right. Many insist that we come Chair Paul Kurtz Board of Directors Vern Bullough, Thomas Casten, Jan Loeb Eisler, Kendrick Frazier, David Henehan, Jonathan Kurtz, “I surely do not define myself by what I am against, Edward Tabash Executive Director but rather by my positive stance. David Koepsell It’s what I believe in deeply—what I am for— Director, Educational Programs (CFI) Austin Dacey that matters more.” Director, Campus and Community Programs (CFI) DJ Grothe Director, African Americans for Humanism Norm R. Allen Jr. out strongly against the Bush administration on certain issues, the Development Officer (CFI) war in Iraq, recent appointments to the Supreme Court, and other Sherry Rook Director of Communications (CFI) hot-button issues of the day. Some also wish us to enter into the fray Nathan Bupp between libertarian advocates of the free market and social democ- Assistant Communications Director (CFI) rats who worry about the loss of American jobs and wish to restore Lauren Becker principles of equity and fairness. Director of Libraries (CFI) Timothy Binga In answer to the political activists, we have indeed dealt with all Fulfillment (CFI) of these issues but as ethical, not simply political, concerns. I have Michael Cione, Darlene Banks argued in these pages that we are not a political movement, for we Staff recognize that secular humanists may differ about concrete politi- Pat Beauchamp, Cheryl Catania, Eric Chinchón, Sarah Jordan, Sandy Lesniak, Georgeia Locurcio, Jackie Mohr, Lisa Nolan, Denise Riley, Sherry Rook, Anthony Santa Lucia, John Sullivan, Vance Vigrass Paul Kurtz is the editor in chief of FREE INQUIRY, a professor Executive Director Emeritus emeritus of philosophy at the State University of New York at Jean Millholland Buffalo, and the chair of the Center for Inquiry. free inquiry http://www.secularhumanism.org 4 FI Feb-Mar 2006 Pages 1/3/06 11:35 AM Page 5 cal and economic issues. Our 501(c)(3) nonprofit exemption pre- cludes us from endorsing candidates or parties. However, we have FREE INQUIRY (ISSN 0272-0701) is published bimonthly by and will continue to deal with political issues, but only when the the Council for Secular Humanism, a nonprofit educational corporation, P.O. Box 664, Amherst, NY 14226-0664. Phone basic principles and ethical values of secular humanism are direct- (716) 636-7571. Fax (716) 636-1733. Copyright ©2006 by the ly threatened, as they so often are. Council for Secular Humanism. All rights reserved. No part of Second, many desire FREE INQUIRY to focus primarily on the cri- this periodical may be reproduced without permission of the tique of religion, to deal with questions such as the existence of God publisher. Periodicals postage paid at Buffalo, N.Y., and at additional mailing offices. National distribution by and the human soul, and to defend atheism outright. Some of our International Periodicals Distributors, Solana Beach, critics constantly bash FREE INQUIRY for that. I have been identified California. FREE INQUIRY is indexed in Philosophers’ Index. as an “atheist poobah,” whatever that means! Although I am non- Printed in the United States. Postmaster: Send address religious and skeptical of theistic religious claims, I surely do not changes to FREE INQUIRY, P.O. Box 664, Amherst, NY 14226- 0664. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views wish to be known primarily as an atheist, for our secular humanist of the editors or publisher. No one speaks on behalf of the agenda is broader than that. I have often said that, although I do Council for Secular Humanism unless expressly stated. not believe in God because I think there is insufficient evidence for the claim, I surely do not define myself by what I am against, but TO SUBSCRIBE OR RENEW rather by my positive stance. 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