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{{Infobox organization
| name = Rationalist International
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| purpose = Represent rationalism wherever public opinion/decisions are formed<ref name=AboutUs/>
| headquarters = [[Helsinki]], [[Finland]]<ref name=AboutUs>{{cite web|title=About Us|url=http://www.rationalists.net/about-us|website=Rationalist International|accessdate=27 April 2017|publisher=Rationalist International}}</ref>
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| region = World-wide
| services = Conferences, lectures, youth camps, and workshops<ref name=AboutUs/>
| products = ''Rationalist International'' bulletin, Books, and other multi-media programmes<ref name=AboutUs/>
| methods =
| fields = Rationalism
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| leader_title = President
| leader_name = [[Sanal Edamaruku]]<ref name=AboutUs/>
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| website = {{URL|http://rationalists.net/}}
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'''Rationalist International''' is an organization with the stated aim to represent a rational view of the world, making the voice of reason heard and considered where public opinion is formed and decisions are made.

== Rationalism ==
[[Rationalism]] is an attitude that accepts the primacy of reason and aims to establish a system of [[philosophy]] and [[ethics]] verifiable by experience, independent of all arbitrary assumptions of authority.

Rationalist International argues for a logical approach to human problems, suggests alternatives to [[religious]] [[dogma]], defends freedom of thought and [[civil liberties]] and strives for the secularization of politics (see [[secular humanism]]), society and educational systems. Rationalists counter superstition, aim to promote an open and just society, endorse the [[scientific method]] and recognize the importance of human emotions and imagination.

==History==
Rationalist International was founded in December 1995 during the First International Rationalist Conference at [[New Delhi]], with delegates from 28 countries. [[Sanal Edamaruku]], then Secretary General of the [[Indian Rationalist Association]], became the first president of the new international organization.

In January 2000, Rationalist International organized the Second International Conference at [[Trivandrum]], [[Kerala]], in which prominent rationalist thinkers from different parts of the world opened the discussion about the Rationalist Agenda for the new century. [[Paul Kurtz]] (founder, Center for Inquiry, USA) received the 1st International Rationalist Award during this conference.

The Third International Rationalist Conference was held at [[New Delhi]] in 2002. [[Jim Herrick]] (Director of Rationalist Press Association, UK) received the 2nd International Rationalist Award.

Honorary Associates include: Dr. [[:nl:Pieter Admiraal|Pieter Admiraal]] (The Netherlands), Prof. [[Mike Archer (paleontologist)|Mike Archer]] (Australia), Katsuaki Asai (Japan), Prof. [[Colin Blakemore]] (UK), Dr. Bill Cooke (New Zealand), Dr. [[Helena Cronin]] (UK), Prof. [[Richard Dawkins]] (UK), Jan Loeb Eisler (USA), Tom Flynn (USA), [[Jim Herrick]] (UK), [[Ellen Johnson]] (USA), Dr. [[Richard Leakey]] (Kenya), Iain Middleton (New Zealand), Dr. [[Taslima Nasreen]] (Bangladesh), Steinar Nilsen (Norway), Prof. [[Jean-Claude Pecker]] (France), [[James Randi]] (USA), [[Ajoy Roy|Prof. Ajoy Roy]] (Bangladesh), Dr. [[Younus Shaikh]] (Pakistan), [[Barbara Smoker]] (UK), [[Richard Stallman]] (USA), Prof. [[:nl:Rob Tielman]] (The Netherlands), [[David Tribe]] (Australia), [[K. Veeramani]] (India), Barry Williams (Australia), Prof. [[Richard Wiseman]] (UK), Prof. [[Lewis Wolpert]] (UK), Andrzaj Koraszewski (Poland), Małgorzata Koraszewska (Poland) and [[Maryam Namazie]] (Iran).

Former Honorary Associates include: Sir [[Hermann Bondi]] (deceased, UK), Prof. [[Vern Bullough]] (deceased, USA), [[Joseph Edamaruku]] (deceased, India), Pekka Elo (deceased, Finland), Prof. [[Antony Flew]] (deceased, UK), [[Christopher Hitchens]] (deceased, USA), Prof. [[Paul Kurtz]] (USA), [[Lavanam]] (deceased, India), Dr. [[Henry Morgentaler]] (Canada), Harry Stopes-Roe (deceased, UK), and Dr. G N Jyoti Shankar (deceased, USA).

== Rationalist Bulletins ==
The internet-based news bulletin of Rationalist International has wide circulation around the world. It appears in English, Finnish, French, German and Spanish.

==See also==
* [[Freethought Association of Canada]]
* [[Maharashtra Rationalist Association]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[http://www.rationalists.net Rationalist International Homepage]

[[Category:Rationalist groups based in India]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1995]]
[[Category:Atheist organizations]]

Rationalist International - Revision history

imported>Arun K Sivanandan: Added link to wiki page