In 1979, a group of conservative Southern Baptists met with President Jimmy Carter in the White House. At the end of their meeting, one of the pastors announced that they were praying for the president to abandon “the religion of secular humanism.” Later that evening, President Carter asked his wife Rosalynn, “What’s secular humanism?”
Fast forward some forty-odd years, and we may still find ourselves asking the very same question: What does it mean to be a secular humanist? And this may lead to a second, more personal question: Am I one of them?
The term itself is much more familiar to almost all of us now than in 1979, but some questions persist: Is there some set of core beliefs or principles that I need to adopt to consider myself one? Is secular humanism simply a different religion with its own set of tenets and beliefs? Does being an atheist or agnostic automatically make me a secular humanist? And does being a secular humanist also mean one has to adopt a particular political point of view?
In this article, we hope to shed some light on these questions, beginning with a few basic concepts. We will consider secular humanism as a philosophical worldview that emphasizes our humanity and celebrates the potential of humanity and rational thought.
One concise definition of secular humanism is that it is a progressive philosophy of life that affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment without theism or other supernatural beliefs, aspiring to the greater good.
Key aspects of secular humanism include recognizing the power of human agency, embracing reason and the scientific method, finding meaning in the beauty and complexity of the natural world, and living a meaningful life without relying on supernatural beliefs or divine intervention.
If you generally embrace these concepts, you will most likely be comfortable considering yourself to be a secular humanist. There is no “litmus test” for becoming a secular humanist. Rather it might be seen as the most natural and logical response to a life freed from tethering beliefs in supernatural powers and invisible gods.
Despite the assertions of many fundamentalist religious groups, neither atheism nor secular humanism is a religion or religious belief system. Secular humanists can feel comfortable ignoring any such accusations as we realize that many enmeshed in such systems lack the ability to comprehend a life lived without worshipping some sort of deity or religious dogma.
Being an atheist does not automatically make one a secular humanist. Atheism itself is not a worldview, simply a statement of lack of belief in supernatural gods. There are certainly atheists who don’t agree with or subscribe to the principles embodied by secular humanism. But it’s probably not a stretch to say that most atheists who see themselves as an integral part of the larger human community will naturally adopt the philosophical worldview embodied by secular humanism.
Secular humanists span the gamut of political beliefs. While many lean more toward the progressive side, secular humanists of all political persuasions share common values: a concern for human rights, a commitment to ethical lives and leadership, and a desire to work for the greater good of humanity. Many also see social justice as a mechanism for ensuring that no one is denied their civil and human rights and as a way to enact positive change for marginalized communities.
By emphasizing empathy and commitment to the well-being of all humans, secular humanism seeks to create a world where everyone has the opportunity to live a fulfilling and meaningful life.
Empathy and a commitment to the well-being of all humans are at the core of secular humanism. It’s a worldview that seeks to create a world where everyone has the chance to live a fulfilling and meaningful life.
Secular humanists place immense trust in the scientific method, a tool that has revolutionized our understanding of the natural world. They champion reason and evidence-based thinking, encouraging us to question, explore, and expand our understanding of ourselves and the universe. They don’t worship science or see it as an end unto itself, but trust in its ability to reveal new information and discoveries.
Without any deity pulling the strings, secular humanists realize that we alone control our fate. They recognize the power of human agency and value the pursuit of knowledge and truth.
Many theists can’t fathom how life can have meaning without a god, but secular humanists find meaning in human connection, personal growth, and the wonders of the natural world. Secular humanism empowers individuals to find their own purpose and contribute to society’s betterment.
