Welcome

The mission of the Council for Secular Humanism is to advocate and defend a nonreligious lifestance rooted in science, naturalistic philosophy, and humanist ethics and to serve and support adherents of that lifestance. The Council is North America’s leading organization for non-religious people. A not-for-profit educational corporation, the Council supports a wide range of activities to meet the needs of people who find meaning and value in life without looking to a religion. Its activities range from magazine publishing and campaigning on ethical issues to holding conferences and supporting a network of autonomous local groups.

Secular humanists reject supernatural and authoritarian beliefs. They affirm that we must take responsibility for our own lives and the communities and world in which we live. Secular humanism emphasizes reason and scientific inquiry, individual freedom and responsibility, human values and compassion, and the need for tolerance and cooperation.

Council Activities Include:

• Championing the Rights and Beliefs of Secular Humanists
  The Council campaigns for a more secular and ethical society. It presents the case for understanding the world without reference to a god, works to separate church and state, and defends the rights of those who reject religious beliefs.
• Developing Secular Communities
  The Council for Secular Humanism supports independent, autonomous local groups that provide a forum for sharing ideas and a base for social activities. Regular regional and national conferences bring secular humanists together to exchange ideas and explore topical issues.
• Realizing Secular Values in Everyday Life
  The Council promotes rational, human-based viewpoints on important social and ethical issues. In particular, it tackles issues where traditional religion obstructs the right to self-determination, for example, freedom of choice in sexual relationships, reproduction, and voluntary euthanasia.

If you support what we are working to achieve, please help us make a difference — join the Council for Secular Humanism! Associate Members receive the Secular Humanist Bulletin, a quarterly newsletter, in addition to other benefits including discounts on conference registrations, conference tapes, and selected titles from Prometheus Books*. 

*Books should be ordered directly from the Council.  For a list of available titles, please write the Council at P.O. Box 664, Amherst, NY 14226-0664, call 716-636-7571 ext. 302, or e-mail info@secularhumanism.org.