Rohit Ravindran
My interests include animal rights, ethical living, humanist philosophy, the art of communication, brain science. I served on the boardof the Illini Secular Student Alliance at the University of Illinois as a blogger. I have also been published in the NewsGazette, MN Atheists Newsletter and the upcoming book Atheist Voices of Minnesota.
In addition to the Humanists of MN, I volunteer with the Guardian ad Litem Program in Hennepin County as a court appointed advocate of children who have been abused or neglected - my humanist values guide me as I seek effective ways in promoting the well being of all.
Eric Synder
I have a long background in humanist activism, starting first with heading the University of MN Atheists and Humanists (as it was known at the time), then as a volunteer with the Campus Freethought Alliance, and eventually as co-founder and executive director of the Secular Student Alliance.
My interests are varied: humanist philosophy, education, ethics, and strategic dialogue; theories of left and right; developmental psychology and human potential; futurism; political economy and sustainability; human rights; environmentalism.
Jerry Smith
I am a professor of management at the University of Northern Iowa where my primary teaching responsibility is a course that teaches problem solving, decision making, and critical thinking to undergraduate management majors. These topics are the foci of my writing and research, and of presentations I've made to the Humanists of Minnesota and Twin Cities Critical Thinking clubs.
I read a lot (perhaps too much!) and across many fields, including philosophy, psychology, history, education, and literature. I read for enjoyment and in support of my life goals: to understand and improve human thinking; to make the world work better, both at the micro-organizational and larger societal levels; and to find out how to live.
Audrey Kingstrom
In my early adult life, I completed a Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in NYC where I successfully unraveled my Christian faith and left the Church to become a closet atheist. I then went on to get a Masters of Education degree from Teachers College, Columbia University and taught high school social studies for a few years before I became a stay-at-home-mom and "professional" volunteer.
In the late 1990's, I discovered the modern humanist movement. Ever since, I have been enamored with humanism and its potential to replace religion as an affirmative lifestance. Now as a humanist celebrant, organizer and educator, I am probably best described as an apologist and advocate for the naturalistic and ethical worldview of humanism.
Kevin Eich
Shortly after college, I grew out of the last remnants of my childhood religion and embraced atheism. When I started to evaluate my ethics I discovered humanism.
I enjoy reading numerous subjects which include secular parenting, philosophy, skepticism, and science in general. Through my actions as a humanist, I hope to continue to grow awareness to the humanist life stance and encourage many others to embrace it.
Scott Lohman
Scott Lohman has been involved with Humanism in Minnesota since 1991. He has served on the board of the Humanists of Minnesota as board member, vice-president and a number of terms a president.
Scott is producer and host of "Humanist Views", the cable TV program of HOM. He also participates with Minnesota Atheists as a host and interviewer for the radio program "Atheists Talk". Scott is a life long science fiction reader and fan. He is married with one son and lives in Minneapolis.
Past Contributors
Shana West
My interests include humanist philosophy and ethics, human rights, our place in the universe, big history, creating a humanist identity, humanism and religion.
As a humanist and as an exhibit developer at a regional science museum, I am passionate about finding ways to help people of every worldview incorporate reason and critical thought into their daily lives, and to help them understand why science is useful in decision-making for themselves, for our nation, and for the world.
