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 | A conviction that dogmas, ideologies and traditions, whether religious, political or social, must be weighed and tested by each individual and not simply accepted on faith. |
| Commitment to the use of critical reason, factual evidence, and scientific methods of inquiry, rather than faith and mysticism, in seeking solutions to human problems and answers to important human questions. |
| A primary concern with fulfillment, growth, and creativity for both the individual and humankind in general. |
| A constant search for objective truth, with the understanding that new knowledge and experience constantly alter our imperfect perception of it. |
| A concern for this life and a commitment to making it meaningful through better understanding of ourselves, our history, our intellectual and artistic achievements, and the outlooks of those who differ from us. |
| A search for viable individual, social and political principles of ethical conduct, judging them on their ability to enhance human well-being and individual responsibility. |
| A conviction that with reason, an open marketplace of ideas, good will, and tolerance, progress can be made in building a better world for ourselves and our children |
What's the difference between an atheist and a secular humanist?
The term "atheist" refers to a person who is very skeptical of the existence of gods, an afterlife, or other supernatural elements. Most secular humanists are atheist or agnostic -- but because these terms are negative word forms, expressing what is rejected rather than what is affirmed, we feel they don't give much information about an individual's life stance. Humanists prefer to define ourselves in a positive way by emphasizing what we value: reason, free inquiry, critical thinking, the scientific method, freedom, compassion, moral excellence, and a high regard for our fellow human beings.
Not sure whether you belong in a secular humanist group?
No big deal -- many freethinkers spend years, even a lifetime, without realizing that the label "secular humanist" applies to them. Our group welcomes a diversity of perspectives and is proud of its refusal to adopt a dogmatic approach to membership. CVSH members include mostly atheistic and agnostic secular humanists, but deists, Unitarian Universalists, religious humanists, secular Jews, and even skeptical believers who participate in religious organizations for whatever reason are small but welcome minorities within our group. We leave it up to you to decide whether CVSH is for you -- not the other way around.