The Secular Life

Thriving Without Gods or Gurus

Phil Zuckerman Ph.D.

What Religion Gets Wrong About Masturbation

Contrary to many religious doctrines, numerous studies show that masturbation is actually good for you.

Is Sex Sinful?

Traditional religious approaches to sex are associated with all kinds of problems. The secular humanistic approach, on the other hand, may be much more healthy and humane.

Atheism, Morality, and Society

The evidence is clear: A belief in a higher power is not necessary for a moral life

Black Freethinkers: Secularism Among African Americans

The author of a new book on African American secularism explores how the longstanding tradition of black "freethought" can help us make sense of the current moment.

Secular vs. Religious Responses to COVID-19

Nonreligious people and societies appear to be faring better than the religious in the face of COVID-19. Why?

Can Prayer Be Harmful?

Although people pray out of a sense of empathy, research suggests that prayer can sometimes hinder other forms of altruism.

Will COVID-19 Make People More Religious?

Pandemics create fear and worry, which can lead to increased religiosity.

None of the Above

Part 2: Understanding the growth of secularity in the U.S. and Canada.

None of the Above

Part 1: Interview with the authors of a new study of nonreligious individuals in North America.

Living in Fear?

Recent findings suggest that religious people are more fearful than their secular peers. Why?

What Is Secular Humanism?

Secular Humanism is an alternative to a religious worldview. It is based on ethics, empiricism, and humane living.

Should You Lie to Your Kids About Believing in God?

Why it may be better not to lie about existential truths.

Is Canada Losing Its Religion?

More and more Canadians are living increasingly secular lives, according to recent data.

Does Prayer Work?

Prayer may work—but not in the way most people think it does.

How Can You Be Moral If You Don't Believe in God?

Morality is best understood as a nature, social, and secular phenomenon, not something grounded in the supernatural.

Secularism Hits the Arab World

A new study finds secularism dramatically rising throughout the Arab world.

What Does "Agnostic" Mean?

More and more people are leaving religion. But they're not all atheists. Many are agnostic.

Secularization Hits the Mormons

Mormon beliefs, practices, and retention rates are showing signs of decline.

God, Guns, Secularism, and Religion

In the wake of the recent mosque shooting, New Zealand's secular Prime Minister bans semi-automatic assault weapons. It's the moral thing to do.

Want Eternal Life? Are You Sure?

Eternity would actually be a meaningless nightmare.

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What Are Jews?

Jews defy simple categorization in that they are both a religious group and an ethnic group. Here's why.

What Is Secularism?

More and more people are talking about secularism these days—but what does it actually mean?

Religion, Secularism, and Xenophobia

Why, in large national surveys, do religious people tend to be more xenophobic than secular people?

Death and "Divine Intervention"

When tragedy strikes, why do people think God plays favorites?

No, Sweden Does Not Have the Highest Suicide Rate

Everyone things that Scandinavia leads the world in suicide. It's not true.

Fighting for the Separation of Church and State

Secularism requires a strong wall between government and religion.

Do We, as Americans, Worship God?

Most Americans believe in God. But many don't — and their numbers are growing.

Religion, Secularism, and Homophobia

Millennials are the least homophobic Americans, and also the least religious.

Atheist in Appalachia

What's it like being secular in the Bible Belt?

Defending Muslims, Critiquing Islam

The tricky balance of supportive empathy and skeptical secularism

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