Although some may argue that democracy is more widespread today than at any time in history, others point to the dangerous, irrational forces in both the West and the East that threaten the future of democratic government. The contributors to this volume of essays from The Humanist Institute all share this concern for the serious challenges that have recently arisen to confront the democratic way of life. They point to the strengthening of irrational belief systems within many of the world's religions, conservative trends both here and abroad that seem to favour a form of theocracy over secular democracy, and the weakening of traditional liberal ideals through the controversies surrounding postmodernism and multiculturalism. In addition to these shared concerns, the contributors also share a commitment to the Enlightenment emphasis upon the powers of reason in free individuals. Central to the preservation of democracy is the rule of law, which depends upon an educated citizenry. One of the dangers today is that respect for Enlightenment ideals as well as the quality of education are being undercut.;Among the specific topics treated are individual rights and freedom versus the need for security against terrorism, freedom of the press during a "War on Terrorism," and the importance of education to the future of democracy. The contributors include Vern L. Bullough, Joseph Chuman, Carmela Epright, Kurt Johnson, Paul Kurtz, Sarah Oelberg, Howard Radest, Philip Regal, Andreas Rosenberg, Harvey Sarles, Robert Tapp, and Michael Werner.

Humanists are sometimes accused of being so focused on the human race that they ignore the environment and other species. The contributors to this important new work, all humanists in the naturalistic tradition, address their critics by showing that the humanist worldview has much to offer environmentalism. Since humanists are committed to working for a global community in which all humans can flourish, their concern about ecological degradation rivals that of the environmentalists. When asked what should be done about environmental problems, humanists do not hesitate to use the best scientific information and technology to reclaim the natural world and other species while ensuring the welfare of all human beings. Humanists stress that science and technology must be used responsibly and that we humans must learn to give up destructive ideological fantasies, whether political or religious. The distinguished contributors include: Vern L. Bullough, Gwen Whitehead Brewer, Richard Gilbert, Michael J. Kami, Gerald Larue, Timothy J. Madigan, Sarah Oelberg, Don Page, Howard B. Radest, Philip J. Regal, Andreas Rosenberg, Harvey Sarles, David Schafer, John M. Swomley, Robert B. Tapp, Michael Werner, and Carol Wintermute.

Multiculturalism has become an ambiguous but potent battle cry in U.S. society, lauded by proponents as a call to tolerate different cultural traditions and values, and deplored by detractors as an attack on the highest standards of Western culture. This anthology explores this controversial social movement from various humanist perspectives.
Building on an Enlightenment cosmopolitanism, humanists have critically evaluated all cultures, especially their own. From this stance, contentions involving race, gender, sexual orientation, class, religion, ethnicity, and nation can be freshly assessed among the competing claims of the rapidly hybridizing yet polarizing world into which we are moving. Although any attempt to impose a specific vision on this multifarious global community will clearly fail, a noncritical relativism will just as certainly lead to anarchy. Humanism's combined use of critical reason in the developing sciences and an ethical wisdom that transcends past traditions points toward a way to live and learn together, while improving ourselves in the process.
Unfortunately, most nations and most religions persist in focusing on their own perceived superiority, relying on historical claims and traditional authorities. Humanists make no such claims but appeal to the potentialities of human values emerging in a post-traditional world. This volume provides the outlines of the directions such consensus-building might take. The distinguished contributors include Khoren Arisian, Vern L. Bullough, Howard Callaway, Paul Kurtz, Sarah W. Oelberg, Don Page, Howard Radest, Andreas Rosenberg, Harvey Sarles, Robert B. Tapp, Michael Werner, and Carol Wintermute.