[Disambiguator]

why does boone use the term 'humanist liberal'?

This is not a superfluous qualifier. If anything, it's not precise enough. The correct term is "secular humanist". When used in this context, the adjective "liberal" is what becomes superfluous, as the secular humanist worldview is almost always held by those with "liberal" political views.

[mlocher]

' The correct term is "secular humanist". '

thanks. i understand this term all too well. i thought pat might be saying that there might still be some semblance of help for non-humanist liberals, or as i call them, poor misguided god fearing people. your term makes things crystal clear.