The truth is, the American Humanist Association only has about 5,000 members across the United States. Of course, they have many other sympathizers, who weave and bob around the edge of issues but never jump into the fray. But the humanists who offer their money and donate time to humanist issues are few in number.

Then why does the religious right consider them such a threat? Why do television preachers, including Pat Robertson of "The 700 Club," target secular humanists as the great enemy - boogeymen who will corrupt society and destroy the Christian faith?

I have pondered that question for years. Pat Robertson's Christian Coalition claims hundreds of thousands of members, and his influence flows across the nation via political organizations, cable television, public appearances and an army of political operatives who try to bend the system in their direction.

Since this is a democracy, Robertson and his people have a perfect right to join combat to capture the political attention of America. In fact, we ought to be grateful Robertson's voice can be heard in this country. It is one more indication that freedom persists.

But the humanists are worried. They fear this nation is not diligently guarding its freedom. And they fear right-wing demagogues are moving against those freedoms in a clever and clandestine way. One of the current enemies of the American Humanist Association is the Promise Keepers, which to all the world appears to be a benign movement designed to develop better hubbies and daddies. The humanists say it isn't so.

"Despite their loud protests, we maintain they have a political agenda," said Frederick Edwords, executive director of the American Humanist Association.

"They want to change the culture," Edwords said. "They want a return to tradition, which means a male-focused family. They are against basic societal changes. All we are doing is protecting our right to be who we are and their right to be who they are."

Edwords says Promise Keepers has strong ties to James Dobson's Focus on the Family, Pat Robertson's Christian Coalition, the Vineyard churches and many other right-wing organizations.

"We're pleased they want men to take more responsibility," Edwords said. "But they want men to fit into traditional family roles. Humanists also have strong families, but they may not be traditional. They say the family is doomed. We don't think so."

Edwords is a soft-spoken true believer who is convinced we are not going to be rescued by an intervening God. Born and raised in a Protestant Christian home, Edwords guesses he may be a godless Methodist. If that's possible, then Edwords will go one step further and tell you that the idea of preserving freedom has always been his passion.

He says the Promise Keepers are but a blip on the screen of American history, a momentary threat that bears close scrutiny. When it comes to the constant attacks on humanism by the religious right, Edwords says the public vitriol has made his organization stronger.

"What they are really attacking is the 1973 Humanist Manifesto," Edwords said. "They termed it a conspiracy that was taking over the courts, the schools, even the churches, for goodness' sakes. They needed a scapegoat, and we were it."

The Humanist Manifesto of 1973 does not mince words. Religion, for instance, "may inspire dedication to the highest ethical standards," the document says. But, it adds, "traditional dogmatic or authoritarian religions" may do a "disservice to the human species."

Further, the manifesto says that promises of immortal salvation or fear of eternal damnation "distract humans from present concerns, self-actualization and from rectifying social injustices."

If you're interested in reading the entire manifesto, write to the American Humanist Association, 7 Harwood Drive, Box 1188, Amherst, N.Y. 14226-7188.