The Truth Seeker Journal began as a tabloid newspaper on September 1, 1873. The founders, D.M. Bennett and his wife Mary, stated their purpose on the masthead  in these words: 

Devoted to: science, morals, free thought, free discussions, liberalism, sexual equality, labor reform, progression, free education and whatever tends to elevate and emancipate the human race. 

Opposed to: priestcraft, ecclesiasticism, dogmas, creeds, false theology, superstition, bigotry, ignorance, monopolies, aristocracies, privileged classes, tyranny, oppression, and everything that degrades or burdens mankind mentally or physically. 

The Bennetts wished to promote reason over superstition. They wanted people to believe in themselves, to be free from the concept of a vengeful god who punishes "sinners" in a burning hell. They wanted people to throw off the yoke of the clergy who view themselves as the "god-anointed" moralrulers of mankind. 

Truth Seeker provides a forum wherein leading thinkers of the day present their concepts of self-reliance. 

People such as Thomas Edison, Clarence Darrow, Mark Twain, Robert G.Ingersoll,  Marshall Gauvin, Joseph McCabe, H.L. Mencken, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Margaret Sanger wrote for or gave support to the TruthSeeker. Their ideas were published both in tabloid and book form. 

In 1940, Charles Smith became the fourth Editor and incorporated the Truth Seeker Company. For the next 24 years used The Truth Seeker to promote his ideology of  militant atheism. 

In 1964, James Hervey Johnson moved the Truth Seeker Co. from New York to San Diego, California where he continued to publish  The Truth Seeker until his death in 1988. 

Under the stewardship of Bonnie Lange,  Truth Seeker has again become a forum for the dicussion of new ideas. We also produce books, videos and audio tapes. Please request our free catalog. In addition to being available as a journal, Truth Seeker, was the first non-technical journal to be published electronically in 1991. We have several years' worth of online journals for your perusal.  1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 |1997 | 2000.

Truth Seeker focuses on matters concerning political and religious issues as well as intellectual liberation and civil liberties. If you arenew to Freethought and seek an overview, we suggest the writings of Voltaire, Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson, Robert G. Ingersoll, Bertrand Russell and Mark Twain. They will open the doors to many more. 

Truth Seeker is the world's oldest Freethought publication. Freethought is characterized by common sense, reason and a rational approach to life.We actively promote the fact that people are capable of thinking for themselves.