Unfortunately, the consistency and stability of the Humanists' alternative norm has suffered many threats. Humanism suffers from religious authoritarians who misrepresent us. Humanism suffers from those who try silencing us, claiming those with views which might offend others should keep such ideas to themselves. Humanism also suffers from those who seek to steal the goodwill of the AHA by equivocally using the name Humanist and promoting things we do not necessarily support. As I see it, the Humanism we promote involves some commitment to critical inquiry.
Critical inquiry allows for freedom of belief as it separates belief from knowledge.
Critical inquiry recognizes that we cannot serve two masters. The process of critical inquiry sacrifices short term political gains that come from playing along, exploiting ambiguity, hiding differences of opinion, and equivocating in favor of the long term gains in knowledge and quality in living which come with courage, honesty, and separating the wheat from the chaff. As Humanists we need not believe in other religions in order to show proper respect for the people who do, and tolerance does not mean agreement. Instead to express our non-theistic, reasonable, and compassionate views constitutes an exercise of our Constitutional rights and a recognition of the value of Humanism. Yet, the cancer of growing by sacrificing our principles without good reason threatens our long term existence and weakens our influence.