More than ever during this national emergency, the Coalition for the Community of Reason calls on all Americans to respond with reason, compassion, and calm.

We must not leap to conclusions as to who perpetrated the horrendous attacks, and we must not rush to vengeance, for fear of harming innocent people. We call on our fellow Americans to withhold judgment, avoid divisive rhetoric, and help those who are in need.

As we struggle to cope with the consequences of attack, and possible further attacks, there will be great temptation to restrict freedom of speech and other freedoms in the name of national security. This would be a terrible tragedy. If we lose our freedoms, America is truly lost.

We of the Community of Reason pledge ourselves to help survivors of the attacks in every way we can, and to defend the rights of all citizens and residents of our nation, regardless of their philosophical or religious beliefs or national origins.

Many in our community have suffered prejudice and persecution because we do not share majority beliefs; we feel particular compassion for Muslim Americans who are suffering the same persecution. There is something more important than the beliefs that all too often divide us: It is our common humanity.

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American Humanist Association: Terrorism and Compassion: Leaders react to national tragedy and respond to religious right attack on America’s secular organizations

Atheist Alliance: Zealotry and the Bloody Road

Campus Freethought Alliance: Expression of Sympathy

Council for Secular Humanism: No Time for Hatred Cloaked in Religion

Internet Infidels: In Memorial of the Victims of Mass Murder

Secular Student Alliance: SSA Encourages Reason and Compassion in Face of Terrorism