Whats 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
