The world has lost a great humanist

Paul Kurtz has died.

New York Times Obituary: Paul Kurtz, 86, Humanist Publishers, Dies
By BRUCE WEBER
Published: October 23, 2012

Paul Kurtz, a philosopher whose advocacy of reason ahead of faith helped define contemporary secular humanism, died on Saturday at his home in Amherst, N.Y. He was 86. [Continued]

Washington Post Obit: Paul Kurtz, skeptical philosopher who debunked paranormal claims, dies at 86
By Rebecca Cohen, Tuesday, October 23, 6:08 PM

Paul Kurtz, who became a national leader in efforts to debunk paranormal phenomena and pseudoscience - what he called "insidious" gimmicks that had blossomed into an industry profiting on ignorance, died Oct. 20 at his home in Amherst, N.Y. He was 86. [Continued]

Prometheus Books Press Release: PAUL KURTZ, PUBLISHER, PUBLIC INTELLECTUAL, AND "FATHER OF SECULAR HUMANISM," DIES AT 86

Amherst, New York - Paul Kurtz, philosopher, prolific author, publisher, and founder of several secular humanist institutions as well as the for-profit independent press Prometheus Books, died on Saturday, October 20, 2012 at his home in Amherst, New York. He was 86. [Continued]

Patheos.com's website includes a very important interview with him; important regardless of one's philosophy, religious beliefs or politics.

A Tribute to Paul Kurtz, Secular Philosopher, by John Sook, Center for Inquiry, October 23, 2012
An eloquent and balanced appraisal of Paul Kurtz by a distinguished young philosopher.

"Genuine democracy can't rest content with the rights prized by generations past, since new kinds of social oppression and denials of opportunity are endlessly rationalized by the powerful to stay comfortable."