"The very core of our rational, secular, free, and democratic society has been severely marginalized in our communities, on our campuses, even in our classrooms. We cannot afford to endure this development with indifference. A resolute campaign to educate people about the principles of reason is necessary as never before.

Organization at the student level is necessary as never before. Though the tide of unreason is rising, we have taken it upon ourselves to educate people in spite of it. Our task is to demonstrate, by argument and practice, that it is possible to lead a good and meaningful life without religion. Ethics and morality can be based on rational and humanistic ideals and values." - SANE's original Declaration of Necessity, Tyson Gustus and Jason Bussey, 1999.