A Humanist Transformation: My Experience at The Humanist Institute

Maggie Ardiente, Class 15 graduate and current Development Director at American Humanist Association, reflects on her experience at The Humanist Institute.

Five years ago, I had just graduated from James Madison University (JMU) in Harrisonburg, Virginia. My senior year had been defined by my heavy involvement in the James Madison University Freethinkers -- the only campus group for atheist, agnostic, and humanist students. Our activism knew no bounds -- from protesting Alabama judge Roy Moore (famous for his attempt to erect a Ten Commandments statue in the state Supreme Court building) to raising money for Doctors Without Borders (a worthy secular relief organization), our members were loud and proud freethinkers working to promote and support a "god-free" belief system.

So when I began working at the American Humanist Association (AHA) as an intern fresh out of college, I felt like I knew everything about humanism already. But I learned quickly that humanism extended beyond campus activism --- and even after working for the AHA for two years, there was a rich history that I knew very little about. Books by Corliss Lamont and Isaac Asimov. Manuals on humanist weddings and funerals. The most I had read was Humanist Manifesto III and perhaps a few essays from current humanist leaders.

If I wanted to maintain a career in the freethought movement, how could I move forward without a solid background in the philosophy of humanism? I was a religion major at JMU, but I certainly never took a class on "nonreligions."

Thus my interest in the Humanist Institute began. I missed sitting around in a group having discussions about nontheist topics, like I did as a member of the JMU Freethinkers, and at the time I wasn't quite caught up on my reading of current humanist writers like Richard Dawkins or Daniel Dennett. It was a great fit for me.

For three years, I sat with a handful of smart, thoughtful, and insightful people who, like me, hoped to become better humanists, whether it was toward becoming a lay leader, an educator, or a nonprofit leader. My fellow classmates and I had some wonderfully memorable moments. We ate dosas and lentil doughnuts at a basement cafe below a Hindu temple in Queens. We laughed over mistakes we made as we imitated public relation pros during videotaped mock interviews. We shared our creative side -- Ann, a ritual tea ceremony; Bob, humorous songs; and I, a small painting.

And after what felt like hundreds of books, countless papers, and a handful of projects, I gained a more knowledgable sense of humanism than I did as a campus organizer or even working for the AHA. By the time of our graduation, I could see a transformation had occured in my classmates -- and in myself. We had become better humanists and brought more to the table in our respective careers.

Already, I miss being a part of Class 15, but I am lucky to have made lasting friendships in my classmates and mentors. I hope future classmates will be as lucky as us.

by Maggie Ardiente