Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)(01 of09)
Open Image ModalBefore the discoveries of Darwin in the mid-nineteenth century, open atheism was rare even in intellectual circles. Those who were religious skeptics and reason-oriented in their thinking often tended to be Deists, believing in a non-intervening, "watchmaker" type of divinity. Such were the beliefs of many of America's founders, particularly Jefferson, who edited his Bible to remove references to miracles and other supernaturalism. "Question with boldness even the existence of god," he told his nephew. He also wrote, "The day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus, by the Supreme Being as his father, in the womb of a virgin, will be classed with the fable of the generation of Minerva in the brain of Jupiter." (credit:Wikimedia: Tom)
Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815-1902)(02 of09)
Open Image ModalThe great suffragist and social activist was an outspoken critic of religion, particularly its role in oppressing women. Her book, The Women's Bible, was a bestseller in the 1890s, and many believe that her relentless attack on religion has caused historians to downplay her role in the women's movement in favor of Susan B. Anthony, who like Stanton was agnostic, but less vocal in her criticism of religion.
Robert Ingersoll (1833-1899)(03 of09)
Open Image ModalLargely forgotten by mainstream historians, Ingersoll was a major figure in nineteenth century America, one of the greatest orators of his era. Known as "the Great Agnostic," he was a prominent attorney and influential at the highest level of politics. "If by any possibility the existence of a power superior to, and independent of, nature should be demonstrated, there will be time enough to kneel," he said. "Until then let us stand erect."
Mark Twain (1835-1910)(04 of09)
Open Image ModalTwain was satirical of piety and organized religion in his writing, but he saved his sharpest criticism of religion for his autobiography, which by his own instructions was not published until 2010, a hundred years after his death. "There is one notable thing about our Christianity: bad, bloody, merciless, money-grabbing, and predatory," he wrote. "The fleets of the world could swim in spacious comfort in the innocent blood it has spilled."
John Dewey (1859-1952)(05 of09)
Open Image ModalOften cited as one of America's most important philosophers, Dewey rejected the supernatural and saw humanism as the philosophy that could best lead society into the future. Dewey signed the first Humanist Manifesto in 1933, and described humanism as a view "in which nature and the science of nature are made the willing servants of human good."
A. Philip Randolph (1889-1979)(06 of09)
Open Image ModalA tremendously important historical figure, Randolph is also one of the most overlooked personalities in modern American history. The key organizer of the March on Washington and an influential leader in the civil rights and labor movements (Martin Luther King, Jr. called him "the Dean" and "the Chief"), Randolph was the American Humanist Association (AHA) Humanist of the Year in 1970. "Our aim is to appeal to reason" he said. "We consider prayer nothing more than a fervent wish."
Katharine Hepburn (1907-2003)(07 of09)
Open Image ModalThough openly atheistic entertainers are commonplace today (think Brad Pitt and Daniel Radcliffe), they were less common in years past, when nonbelievers were often erroneously assumed to be communists. Hepburn, fiercely independent and not intimidated by pressures to conform, was blunt in her assessment of religion. "I'm an atheist, and that's it," she said in an interview. "I believe there's nothing we can know except that we should be kind to each other and do what we can for other people." She received the AHA's Arts Award in 1985.
Carl Sagan (1934-1996)(08 of09)
Open Image ModalThe legendary scientist and master communicator described himself as an agnostic, and his writings always emphasized appreciation of skepticism and naturalism, as opposed to supernaturalism. His views on theology are expressed in many of his writings, none more clearly than The Varieties of Scientific Experience: A Personal View of the Search for God. "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence," Sagan, who was the 1981 AHA Humanist of the Year, famously said. (credit:WikiMedia: Erlendaakre)
Pat Tillman (1976-2004)(09 of09)
Open Image ModalProving that there are indeed atheists in foxholes, Tillman left a lucrative NFL contract to join the military in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, attacks, only to be killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan. When his family raised concerns about a cover-up surrounding the incident, military brass shockingly attributed the objections to the family's religious skepticism. When atheists die, they are "worm dirt," said Lt. Col. Ralph Kauzlarich, explaining why he wasn't surprised that Tillman's family had difficulty accepting the death. (credit:WikiMedia: Kimse)