Tom Flynn

Tom Flynn (1955-2021) was an American secular humanist philosopher, author, and prominent advocate for atheism and freethought. As Executive Director of the Council for Secular Humanism and Editor of Free Inquiry magazine, Flynn significantly shaped contemporary secular discourse. He edited The New Encyclopedia of Unbelief (2007), a comprehensive reference work examining atheistic and skeptical perspectives on religion. Flynn authored numerous works critiquing religious belief, including The Trouble with Christmas (1993) and several science fiction novels exploring secular themes. He developed influential arguments against religious accommodation in public spaces and championed strict church-state separation. Through his editorial work, public speaking, and writings, Flynn advanced philosophical naturalism and secular ethics while challenging theistic worldviews. His contributions to organized secularism and atheist philosophy made him a key figure in late twentieth and early twenty-first century American freethought movements.