Rationalist International
This article may meet Wikipedia's criteria for speedy deletion as an article about a company, corporation or organization that does not credibly indicate the importance or significance of the subject. Note that educational institutions are not eligible under this criterion. See CSD A7.
If this article does not meet the criteria for speedy deletion, or you intend to fix it, please remove this notice, but do not remove this notice from pages that you have created yourself. If you created this page and you disagree with the given reason for deletion, you can click the button below and leave a message explaining why you believe it should not be deleted. You can also visit the talk page to check if you have received a response to your message. Note that this article may be deleted at any time if it unquestionably meets the speedy deletion criteria, or if an explanation posted to the talk page is found to be insufficient. Note to administrators: this article has content on its talk page which should be checked before deletion. Administrators: check links, talk, history (last), and logs before deletion. Consider checking Google.This page was last edited by Bbb23 (contribs | logs) at 13:56, 26 September 2022 (UTC) (19 months ago) |
This article needs additional citations for verification. (September 2007) |
Purpose | Represent rationalism wherever public opinion/decisions are formed[1] |
---|---|
Headquarters | Helsinki, Finland[1] |
Region | World-wide |
Products | Rationalist International bulletin, Books, and other multi-media programmes[1] |
Services | Conferences, lectures, youth camps, and workshops[1] |
Fields | Rationalism |
President | Sanal Edamaruku[1] |
Website | rationalists |
Rationalist International is an organization with the stated aim to represent a rational view of the world, making the voice of reason heard and considered where public opinion is formed and decisions are made.
Rationalism
Rationalism is an attitude that accepts the primacy of reason and aims to establish a system of philosophy and ethics verifiable by experience, independent of all arbitrary assumptions of authority.
Rationalist International argues for a logical approach to human problems, suggests alternatives to religious dogma, defends freedom of thought and civil liberties and strives for the secularization of politics (see secular humanism), society and educational systems. Rationalists counter superstition, aim to promote an open and just society, endorse the scientific method and recognize the importance of human emotions and imagination.
History
Rationalist International was founded in December 1995 during the First International Rationalist Conference at New Delhi, with delegates from 28 countries. Sanal Edamaruku, then Secretary General of the Indian Rationalist Association, became the first president of the new international organization.
In January 2000, Rationalist International organized the Second International Conference at Trivandrum, Kerala, in which prominent rationalist thinkers from different parts of the world opened the discussion about the Rationalist Agenda for the new century. Paul Kurtz (founder, Center for Inquiry, USA) received the 1st International Rationalist Award during this conference.
The Third International Rationalist Conference was held at New Delhi in 2002. Jim Herrick (Director of Rationalist Press Association, UK) received the 2nd International Rationalist Award.
Honorary Associates include: Dr. Pieter Admiraal (The Netherlands), Prof. Mike Archer (Australia), Katsuaki Asai (Japan), Prof. Colin Blakemore (UK), Dr. Bill Cooke (New Zealand), Dr. Helena Cronin (UK), Prof. Richard Dawkins (UK), Jan Loeb Eisler (USA), Tom Flynn (USA), Jim Herrick (UK), Ellen Johnson (USA), Dr. Richard Leakey (Kenya), Iain Middleton (New Zealand), Dr. Taslima Nasreen (Bangladesh), Steinar Nilsen (Norway), Prof. Jean-Claude Pecker (France), James Randi (USA), Prof. Ajoy Roy (Bangladesh), Dr. Younus Shaikh (Pakistan), Barbara Smoker (UK), Richard Stallman (USA), Prof. nl:Rob Tielman (The Netherlands), David Tribe (Australia), K. Veeramani (India), Barry Williams (Australia), Prof. Richard Wiseman (UK), Prof. Lewis Wolpert (UK), Andrzaj Koraszewski (Poland), Małgorzata Koraszewska (Poland) and Maryam Namazie (Iran).
Former Honorary Associates include: Sir Hermann Bondi (deceased, UK), Prof. Vern Bullough (deceased, USA), Joseph Edamaruku (deceased, India), Pekka Elo (deceased, Finland), Prof. Antony Flew (deceased, UK), Christopher Hitchens (deceased, USA), Prof. Paul Kurtz (USA), Lavanam (deceased, India), Dr. Henry Morgentaler (Canada), Harry Stopes-Roe (deceased, UK), and Dr. G N Jyoti Shankar (deceased, USA).
Rationalist Bulletins
The internet-based news bulletin of Rationalist International has wide circulation around the world. It appears in English, Finnish, French, German and Spanish.