The Council for Secular Humanism is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting secular humanist principles — a worldview that emphasizes reason, ethics grounded in human welfare, and the separation of religion from public policy. Operating as a program of the Center for Inquiry since 1991, the Council focuses on public education, cultural commentary, and the defense of secular governance.

Mission and focus

At its core, the Council seeks to advance a naturalistic and human-centered approach to ethics and public life. It encourages thinking based on evidence and critical inquiry rather than religious doctrine, and it supports policies that protect freedom of conscience and the neutrality of government in matters of faith. The Council frames its work around accessible resources intended for educators, activists, and members of the general public.

Activities and programs

Activities commonly associated with the Council include publishing essays and journals, organizing conferences and debates, producing educational materials, and supporting advocacy on issues such as church–state separation, science education, and civil liberties. Its outreach often intersects with scientific skepticism, civic engagement, and public discussions about ethics without reliance on supernatural beliefs.

Publications and outreach

The Council has been associated with a range of publications and editorial projects designed to present secular humanist perspectives to a wide audience. These publications collect essays, commentary, and analyses that explain secularist positions on contemporary social and political issues and offer resources for people wishing to articulate a secular humanist outlook.

History and organizational context

Since becoming a program within the Center for Inquiry in 1991, the Council has operated within a broader institutional setting that includes skepticism and scientific advocacy. In 2016, the Center for Inquiry merged with the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science, a consolidation that the organizations said strengthened their combined capacity for public education and advocacy and made the merged entity a leading secularist organization in the United States.

Impact, distinctions, and public role

The Council for Secular Humanism is distinct from explicitly religious humanist organizations in that it anchors ethical and social aims on secular premises. Its public role includes offering a coherent alternative to faith-based discourse on morality and public policy, supporting legal and civic initiatives that uphold pluralism, and fostering communities of reasoned debate. While supporters praise its contributions to free inquiry and secular rights, critics sometimes argue over the tone and tactics of secular advocacy; the Council typically emphasizes education, dialogue, and nonviolent civic engagement.

Further resources

  • Information about secular humanist philosophy and resources for educators and activists.
  • Access to journals, essays, and conference proceedings that reflect the Council's perspectives.
  • Guidance on civic engagement related to church–state issues and public policy.

For more general background on secularism and related organizations, readers can consult overview materials and institutional pages that explain how groups that promote reason and humanist ethics operate in public life. A useful entry point is a discussion of the concept of secular values and how they apply to contemporary civic debate.