By the South African Secular Society You don’t need a god to be good. You don’t need the promise of heaven to treat people with kindness, or the threat of hell to stop you from doing wrong. Millions of people across the world live rich, ethical, meaningful lives without religion ~ and many of them Read more
In many parts of the world, including South Africa, death remains one of the last great taboos. We plan for births, celebrate milestones, and share our achievements openly—but when it comes to death, we often fall silent. For members of the South African Secular Society and the broader secular community, this silence raises important questions.
Talking About Death Over Coffee: Why Death Cafés Matter Read More »
Human dignity, equality, critical thinking, and evidence-based progress South Africa enters 2026 carrying both promise and strain. We are a constitutional democracy founded on human dignity, equality, and freedom, yet we continue to live with deep inequality, social fragmentation, and a persistent gap between policy intention and lived reality. In this context, secular values are
What Secular Values Offer South Africa in 2026 Read More »
When the South African Secular Society (SASS) was established in 2014, a Secular Charter was adopted. This outlines the principles of the secular state that SASS strives to achieve. Comparative approaches to secular charters around the world Across the world, societies have found different ways to formalise the principle of secularism — the separation of religion
Our Secular Charter: Your Rights, Explained Read More »
An opinion piece by Declan Ahern. On July 18th, we don’t just remember a man; we celebrate an idea. We’ve consumed the brand of Nelson Mandela for decades: the warm smile, the forgiving spirit, the easy story of the Rainbow Nation. It’s a powerful, marketable narrative that feels good. A national comfort food. But comfort
More Than a Feeling: The Secular Architecture of Mandela’s Constitution Read More »
Introduction Ubuntu and secular humanism might arise from different cultural and philosophical traditions, but both emphasise our shared humanity, dignity, and moral responsibility. Ubuntu is an African worldview captured in the phrase “I am because we are,” while secular humanism is a non-religious ethical stance that values human welfare, reason, and compassion without reliance on
Secular Humanism and Ubuntu: Two Sides, Same Coin? Read More »
In a world where religious beliefs have traditionally provided answers to life’s most profound questions, those of us who embrace a secular worldview often find ourselves navigating these existential conundrums without the comfort of divine explanations. Yet, far from leaving us adrift, this perspective offers a rich, nuanced approach to understanding our place in the
Tackling Life’s Big Questions: A Non-Religious Approach Read More »
Introduction Humanism is a philosophical and ethical approach that emphasises reason, compassion, and the value of human life. Humanists believe humans can create a just and fulfilling world through their efforts. The Humanist Manifesto articulates humanism’s core beliefs and values. Since its inception in 1933, it has undergone significant revisions, each reflecting the zeitgeist of
The Evolution of the Humanist Manifesto: A Journey Through Secular Thought Read More »
African Humanism, often referred to as Ubuntu in Southern Africa, represents a unique philosophical perspective that emphasises the interconnectedness of all people and the importance of communal relationships. Rooted deeply in the cultural and social fabric of African societies, African Humanism centres on the idea that one’s humanity is affirmed and realised through relationships with
African Humanism: A Philosophical and Cultural Exploration Read More »
A paper presented by Rick Raubenheimer, President, on behalf of the South African Secular Society (SASS) at the Conference on Religious Freedom in South Africa, “Freedom of Religion or Belief in a Democracy”, at The University of Johannesburg (UJ), 11-12 April 2024. Kindly address all correspondence in this regard to the President of SASS at
Atheists in Post-Apartheid South Africa: Discrimination and Progress Read More »
