Factual, citation-backed information about Secular Humanism & Atheism. All claims are sourced from reputable publishers.
Secular humanism and atheism represent non-theistic worldviews that have grown significantly in global prominence over the past century. While distinct in emphasis, atheism is the absence of belief in gods, while secular humanism is a positive philosophical framework emphasizing reason, ethics, and human flourishing without supernatural reference, they frequently overlap and are often discussed together. [1][2][3]
The religiously unaffiliated (sometimes called "nones") constitute one of the fastest-growing demographic categories worldwide, numbering approximately 1.2 billion people. This category includes atheists (who actively disbelieve in gods), agnostics (who consider the existence of gods unknowable or unproven), and those who identify as "spiritual but not religious" or simply unaffiliated with any organized religion. Not all "nones" are atheists or humanists, many hold spiritual beliefs outside institutional religion. [1][4]
Secular humanism as a philosophical movement draws on Enlightenment rationalism, scientific naturalism, and ethical traditions that emphasize human dignity, reason, and compassion without appeal to divine authority. Organizations such as the American Humanist Association, the British Humanist Association (now Humanists UK), and the International Humanist and Ethical Union promote humanist values and advocate for secular governance. [2][3]
Atheism and secularism are particularly prevalent in Western Europe, East Asia (especially China, Japan, and South Korea), Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and parts of the United States. In some countries, non-belief carries significant social stigma or legal penalties, while in others it is the majority or plurality position. [1][4]
Secular humanism and atheism are defined more by what they affirm than by what they deny. [2][3]
Naturalism: The universe operates according to natural laws discoverable through scientific inquiry. There is no evidence for supernatural beings, forces, or realms. Explanations for natural phenomena should be sought in natural causes rather than divine intervention. [2][3]
Reason and evidence: Knowledge should be based on reason, evidence, and the scientific method rather than faith, revelation, or authority. Claims should be evaluated critically, and beliefs should be proportional to the evidence supporting them. [2][3]
Ethics without God: Secular humanists hold that moral values are grounded in human experience, empathy, reason, and the consequences of actions rather than in divine commands. Ethical principles such as fairness, compassion, honesty, and respect for human dignity can be derived from human nature and social cooperation without reference to religion. [2][3]
Human dignity and rights: Every human being has inherent worth and dignity. Human rights, including freedom of thought, expression, and conscience, are foundational values. [2][3]
The Humanist Manifesto III (2003) summarizes key humanist commitments: "Knowledge of the world is derived by observation, experimentation, and rational analysis... Humans are an integral part of nature, the result of unguided evolutionary change... Ethical values are derived from human need and interest as tested by experience". [2][3]
Diversity of views: Atheists and humanists hold a wide range of positions on specific ethical, political, and philosophical questions. There is no single atheist or humanist orthodoxy. [2][3]
Secular humanism and atheism do not have worship practices in the traditional sense, but humanist communities have developed various forms of gathering, celebration, and ritual. [2][3]
Humanist ceremonies: Humanist celebrants conduct weddings, funerals, baby namings, and coming-of-age ceremonies that celebrate life events without religious content. Humanist weddings are legally recognized in Scotland, Ireland, and several other jurisdictions, and are growing in popularity. [2][3]
Sunday Assemblies: Founded in London in 2013, Sunday Assemblies are secular congregations that meet for community, music, talks, and fellowship, described as "church without God". Similar secular community groups exist in many cities. [2][3]
Ethical societies and humanist groups: Organizations such as the Ethical Culture movement (founded by Felix Adler in 1876) and local humanist groups provide community, education, and social action opportunities. [2][3]
Secular meditation and mindfulness: Many atheists and humanists practice meditation and mindfulness techniques derived from Buddhist or secular psychological traditions without the religious framework. [2][3]
Activism and advocacy: Secular humanist organizations engage in advocacy for church-state separation, religious freedom (including freedom from religion), science education, reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and other causes. [2][3]
Intellectual engagement: Reading groups, lecture series, debates, podcasts, and conferences are important community activities. Events such as the Global Atheist Convention, Skepticon, and various humanist conferences bring communities together. [2][3]
Charitable work: Humanist organizations engage in charitable and humanitarian work, including disaster relief (Foundation Beyond Belief), education, and poverty alleviation. [2][3]
Secular humanism and atheism do not have sacred scriptures, but a rich body of philosophical and scientific literature informs the movement. [2][3]
Classical foundations: Epicurus (341-270 BCE) and Lucretius (c. 99-55 BCE) articulated early materialist and naturalist philosophies. David Hume (1711-1776) developed influential critiques of arguments for God's existence and miracles. The Enlightenment thinkers, Voltaire, Diderot, Baron d'Holbach, and Thomas Paine, advanced secularism and religious skepticism. [2][3]
Modern atheist literature: Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species (1859) provided a naturalistic explanation for biological complexity that removed one of the traditional arguments for God's existence. Bertrand Russell's Why I Am Not a Christian (1927) is a classic statement of philosophical atheism. The "New Atheist" movement of the 2000s produced widely read works including Richard Dawkins's The God Delusion (2006), Sam Harris's The End of Faith (2004), Christopher Hitchens's God Is Not Great (2007), and Daniel Dennett's Breaking the Spell (2006). [2][3]
Humanist manifestos: The Humanist Manifesto I (1933), Humanist Manifesto II (1973), and Humanist Manifesto III (2003) articulate evolving humanist principles. The Amsterdam Declaration (2002) of the International Humanist and Ethical Union provides a widely accepted statement of humanist values. [2][3]
Existentialist philosophy: Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and Albert Camus explored meaning, freedom, and ethics in a universe without God. [2][3]
Scientific literature: Works by Carl Sagan, Stephen Hawking, Steven Pinker, and others have shaped the scientific worldview that underlies much secular humanist thought. [2][3]
The religiously unaffiliated ("nones") number approximately 1.2 billion people worldwide, making them the third-largest "religious" category after Christianity and Islam. However, this category is internally diverse, it includes atheists, agnostics, secular humanists, and people who hold spiritual beliefs outside organized religion. [1][4]
Self-identified atheists number approximately 450-500 million worldwide, though estimates vary significantly depending on how the question is asked. China has the largest population of non-believers (surveys suggest 60-70% of Chinese identify as atheist or non-religious), followed by Japan, South Korea, and Western European countries. [1][4]
In Western Europe, non-belief is widespread: surveys indicate that 40-60% of populations in countries including the Czech Republic, Estonia, Sweden, the Netherlands, France, and the United Kingdom identify as non-religious, atheist, or agnostic. In the United States, the "nones" have grown from approximately 6% in 1991 to approximately 28-30% in recent surveys, with younger generations significantly more likely to be unaffiliated. [1][4]
Organized humanist movements are strongest in Northern Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and India. Norway and Iceland have particularly high rates of humanist ceremony participation. [2][3]
In many countries, particularly in the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of South and Southeast Asia, atheism carries severe social stigma and, in some cases, legal penalties including imprisonment or death. Thirteen countries have laws that make apostasy or blasphemy punishable by death. [2][3]
The history of non-belief and secular thought spans millennia: [2][3]
c. 6th-5th century BCE: Early materialist and skeptical philosophies in India (Charvaka/Lokayata) and Greece (Democritus, Protagoras). c. 341-270 BCE: Epicurus develops a materialist philosophy that excludes divine intervention in human affairs. c. 55 BCE: Lucretius writes De Rerum Natura, articulating atomic materialism. 18th century: The Enlightenment produces systematic critiques of religion (Voltaire, Hume, d'Holbach, Paine). 1841: Ludwig Feuerbach publishes The Essence of Christianity, arguing that God is a human projection. 1844: Karl Marx describes religion as "the opium of the people". 1859: Darwin publishes On the Origin of Species. 1876: Felix Adler founds the Ethical Culture movement. 1882: Friedrich Nietzsche declares "God is dead" in The Gay Science. 1927: Bertrand Russell delivers "Why I Am Not a Christian". 1933: Humanist Manifesto I published. 1948: Universal Declaration of Human Rights includes freedom of thought and conscience. 1952: International Humanist and Ethical Union founded. 2004-2007: "New Atheism" movement gains prominence through bestselling books. 2012: "Reason Rally" in Washington, D.C., draws tens of thousands of secular Americans. 2010s-2020s: Continued growth of the religiously unaffiliated worldwide; increasing visibility of secular communities. [2][3][1]
Secular humanism and atheism are not organized into denominations, but several distinct philosophical and organizational streams exist: [2][3]
Secular Humanism: A positive philosophical framework emphasizing reason, ethics, and human flourishing. Represented by organizations such as the American Humanist Association, Humanists UK, and the International Humanist and Ethical Union. Atheism: The absence of belief in gods. Ranges from "soft" atheism (lack of belief) to "hard" atheism (active disbelief). Not an organized movement but a philosophical position. Agnosticism: The position that the existence of gods is unknown or unknowable. Coined by Thomas Huxley in 1869. Ethical Culture: Founded by Felix Adler in 1876, emphasizing ethical living and social justice without theological commitments. Freethought: A tradition emphasizing reason and evidence over authority and tradition in forming beliefs. Rationalism: Emphasizing reason as the primary source of knowledge. Skepticism: A critical approach to claims, particularly supernatural and paranormal claims. Organizations include the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry and local skeptic groups. [2][3]
New Atheism: A more assertive, public form of atheism associated with Dawkins, Harris, Hitchens, and Dennett, emphasizing the critique of religion and the promotion of science. [2][3]
Secular Buddhism, secular Judaism, and other "secular" versions of religious traditions represent people who identify culturally with a tradition while holding non-theistic beliefs. [2][3]
Secular humanists have developed several observances, though none are obligatory: [2][3]
Darwin Day (February 12): Celebrating the birthday of Charles Darwin and the contributions of science to human understanding. World Humanist Day (June 21): Established by the International Humanist and Ethical Union to celebrate humanist values. Reason Day / Day of Reason (first Thursday of May): An alternative to the National Day of Prayer in the United States, celebrating reason and the separation of church and state. Human Rights Day (December 10): Commemorating the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. Carl Sagan Day (November 9): Celebrating the birthday of astronomer and science communicator Carl Sagan. Winter Solstice / HumanLight (December 23): A humanist celebration near the winter solstice, emphasizing reason, compassion, and hope. [2][3]
Many secular humanists also celebrate cultural holidays (Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc.) as secular cultural traditions focused on family, community, and generosity rather than religious observance. [2][3]
Life-cycle celebrations, humanist weddings, baby namings, funerals, and coming-of-age ceremonies, are increasingly popular and are conducted by trained humanist celebrants. [2][3]
Secular humanism and atheism have no centralized leadership or authority structure. [2][3]
Organizational leaders: Various humanist and atheist organizations have presidents, directors, and boards. Notable organizations include the American Humanist Association, Humanists UK, the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, and the Secular Coalition for America. [2][3]
The International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU, now Humanists International) serves as an umbrella organization for humanist groups worldwide, with member organizations in over 60 countries. [2][3]
Public intellectuals: Prominent atheist and humanist thinkers, including scientists, philosophers, writers, and activists, serve as informal leaders and spokespeople, though they hold no formal authority over others. [2][3]
Humanist celebrants: Trained and accredited individuals who conduct humanist ceremonies (weddings, funerals, etc.). In some countries, humanist celebrants are officially recognized and their ceremonies carry legal standing. [2][3]
The movement is fundamentally decentralized and pluralistic, there is no pope, no creed, and no mechanism for enforcing doctrinal conformity. This is considered a feature, not a bug, by most humanists. [2][3]
Secular humanism and atheism use several symbols, though none are universally adopted: [2][3]
The Happy Human: The official symbol of Humanists International (formerly IHEU), depicting a stylized human figure with arms raised in celebration. Adopted in 1965, it is the most widely recognized humanist symbol. The Atom: Sometimes used to represent science and rational inquiry. The Scarlet Letter "A": Popularized by Richard Dawkins's "Out Campaign," encouraging atheists to publicly identify themselves. The Darwin Fish: A fish symbol with legs (parodying the Christian ichthys), representing evolution and scientific thinking. The Invisible Pink Unicorn and Flying Spaghetti Monster: Satirical symbols used to illustrate arguments about the burden of proof regarding unfalsifiable claims. The Brights' Sun: Symbol of the Brights movement, which promotes a naturalistic worldview. [2][3]
Secular humanist spaces (meeting halls, ethical societies) are typically simple and functional, without religious imagery. [2][3]
Historical figures: Epicurus (341-270 BCE, Greek materialist philosopher), Lucretius (c. 99-55 BCE, Roman poet-philosopher), David Hume (1711-1776, Scottish philosopher), Baron d'Holbach (1723-1789, French philosopher and encyclopedist), Thomas Paine (1737-1809, author of The Age of Reason). [2][3]
19th century: Charles Darwin (1809-1882, naturalist), Ludwig Feuerbach (1804-1872, philosopher), Karl Marx (1818-1883, philosopher and economist), Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900, philosopher), Robert Ingersoll (1833-1899, "The Great Agnostic"), Felix Adler (1851-1933, founder of Ethical Culture). [2][3]
20th century: Bertrand Russell (1872-1970, philosopher and Nobel laureate), Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980, existentialist philosopher), Simone de Beauvoir (1908-1986, philosopher and feminist), Albert Camus (1913-1960, writer and philosopher), Carl Sagan (1934-1996, astronomer and science communicator), Madalyn Murray O'Hair (1919-1995, founder of American Atheists). [2][3]
21st century "New Atheists": Richard Dawkins (b. 1941, evolutionary biologist), Sam Harris (b. 1967, neuroscientist and author), Christopher Hitchens (1949-2011, journalist and author), Daniel Dennett (1942-2024, philosopher). [2][3]
Contemporary humanist leaders include Andrew Copson (CEO of Humanists International), Hemant Mehta (blogger and author), and numerous scientists, philosophers, and activists worldwide. [2][3]
Secular humanist ethics are grounded in human experience, reason, empathy, and the consequences of actions rather than divine commands. [2][3]
The foundation of humanist ethics is the recognition that human beings are social creatures whose well-being depends on cooperation, empathy, and mutual respect. Moral principles are understood as human constructions that have evolved to facilitate social living, not as divine edicts. [2][3]
Key ethical principles include: Human dignity: Every person has inherent worth regardless of race, gender, sexuality, nationality, or belief. Compassion and empathy: The ability to understand and share the feelings of others is the foundation of moral behavior. Reason and evidence: Ethical decisions should be informed by the best available evidence about their consequences. Freedom and autonomy: Individuals should be free to make their own choices, provided they do not harm others. Justice and fairness: Social institutions should treat people equitably and protect the vulnerable. Responsibility: Humans are responsible for their own actions and for the well-being of their communities and the planet. [2][3]
Secular humanists generally support human rights, democratic governance, science education, environmental protection, gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive rights, and the separation of church and state. [2][3]
The "Euthyphro dilemma" (from Plato's dialogue) is often cited by humanists: Is something good because God commands it, or does God command it because it is good? If the latter, then goodness is independent of God and can be discovered through reason. [2][3]
Secular humanism and atheism generally hold that there is no afterlife, consciousness ends at death. [2][3]
This position is based on the scientific understanding that consciousness is a product of brain activity, and when the brain ceases to function, consciousness ceases. There is no scientific evidence for the survival of consciousness after death, the existence of a soul, or any form of afterlife. [2][3]
Rather than viewing this as a source of despair, many humanists find it motivating, if this life is the only one we have, it becomes all the more precious and worth living well. The absence of an afterlife places greater emphasis on making the most of the present, treating others well, and leaving a positive legacy. [2][3]
Bertrand Russell wrote: "I believe that when I die I shall rot, and nothing of my ego will survive... I am not young enough to consider this a tragedy". Carl Sagan expressed a similar sentiment: "For small creatures such as we, the vastness is bearable only through love". [2][3]
Humanist funerals celebrate the life of the deceased, share memories, and provide comfort to the bereaved without reference to an afterlife. The focus is on the person's life, relationships, and contributions rather than on their eternal destiny. [2][3]
Some secular thinkers have explored concepts of "symbolic immortality", living on through one's children, creative works, contributions to knowledge, and impact on others. [2][3]
Non-belief and secular thought have ancient roots but emerged as organized movements primarily in the modern era. [2][3]
Ancient skepticism: Materialist and skeptical philosophies existed in ancient India (the Charvaka school, c. 6th century BCE) and ancient Greece (Democritus, Protagoras, Epicurus). These thinkers questioned supernatural explanations and emphasized natural causation and human reason. [2][3]
The Enlightenment (17th-18th centuries): The development of modern science, the rise of empiricism and rationalism, and the political revolutions of the 18th century created the intellectual foundations for modern secularism. Thinkers including Voltaire, Hume, d'Holbach, Diderot, and Paine challenged religious authority and promoted reason, tolerance, and individual freedom. [2][3]
The 19th century: Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection (1859) removed one of the most powerful arguments for divine design. Feuerbach, Marx, and Nietzsche developed influential critiques of religion from philosophical, sociological, and psychological perspectives. The freethought movement organized secular societies and publications. [2][3]
The 20th century: The horrors of two world wars, the Holocaust, and other atrocities prompted many to question the existence of a benevolent God. Existentialist philosophers explored meaning in a godless universe. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) enshrined freedom of thought and conscience as fundamental rights. Organized humanism grew through the founding of national and international organizations. [2][3]
The 21st century: The "New Atheism" movement brought atheism into mainstream public discourse. The rise of the "nones", particularly among younger generations in the West, represents one of the most significant demographic shifts in modern religious history. Secular humanist communities, ceremonies, and institutions continue to develop as alternatives to religious structures. [2][3][1]
Curated books for deeper exploration, including beginner-friendly introductions, strong study editions, and broader academic overviews.
Links below are affiliate links. Purchases support ReligionCompare at no extra cost to you. See our affiliate disclosure.
Stephen Law
A concise overview of humanist ethics, secular reasoning, and the modern humanist tradition.
Why we recommend this: For readers coming from religious traditions, this is the easiest bridge into humanist ethics and reasoning.
Stephen Law
A concise overview of humanist ethics, secular reasoning, and the modern humanist tradition.
Why we recommend this: For readers coming from religious traditions, this is the easiest bridge into humanist ethics and reasoning.
Alice Roberts & Andrew Copson
A readable collection of short reflections introducing humanist values, meaning, and ethics without theism.
A.C. Grayling
An anthology of philosophy, poetry, and ethical reflection assembled for secular readers seeking a human-centered wisdom text.
A visual preview of items commonly associated with Secular Humanism & Atheism.
Tradition-aware selection
Preview items commonly associated with Secular Humanism & Atheism.
This preview highlights objects commonly associated with Secular Humanism & Atheism, including devotional tools, ritual items, and symbolic art used in religious life.
Links below are affiliate links. Purchases support ReligionCompare at no extra cost to you. See our affiliate disclosure.
Secular Humanism & Atheism
$8-20
Added 2026-03-23Secular Humanism & Atheism
$12-28
Added 2026-03-23Secular Humanism & Atheism
$15-40
Added 2026-03-23Secular Humanism & Atheism
$12-30
Added 2026-03-23