Patheos.com invited authors and scholars to submit articles about Humanist alternatives to faith to wrap up its summer series on the Future of Religion.

Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association, describes Humanism as "an ethical philosophy that posits you can be a good person without believing in a god." He suggests "Science-based humanist reasoning may never fully supplant faith, but it is anticipated to gain the respect of all for its ability to deliver effective, real world solutions to societal problems."

Ed Buckner, Ph.D., president of American Atheists, cites multiple sources revealing an increase in the number of American atheists or Humanists as well as "an improved acceptance of those of us without religion."

Chris Highland, teacher, writer, and social worker who was a Presbyterian minister before becoming a Humanist and founding the website www.naturetemple.net., writes about the principle of the "goodness within us." He sums up his article with this thought:

"Humanism, like humanity itself, has a future. It better have. The Humanist is not the only living thing with feet firmly planted in the humus, sauntering forward on the quest for the right questions. Believer and non-believer can only survive together as they address pragmatic questions with courage, reasonable cooperation, goodhearted humility, hunger for wisdom, and heroic humor!"

Read more articles about the Future of Humanism at Patheos.com.