Public Interest Articles

Freethinking and Social Justice: Questioning the Rules We Inherit

Equality, Freethinkers, Humanism, Opinion Pieces, Philosophy, Public Interest Articles, Secularism

SA Secular Society member Emma Campbell turns her lens on social justice, from a Freethinker’s point of view. Throughout history, many social institutions and customs have been defended on the grounds that they are traditional, natural or ordained by a higher authority. Freethinking challenges us to ask a different question: Are these ideas actually justified?

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Freethinkers and Humanists: What’s the Difference?

Freethinkers, Humanism, Opinion Pieces, Public Interest Articles, Secularism

SA Secular Society member Emma Campbell provides some insight into these two ways of thinking and living. The terms Freethinker and Humanist are often used interchangeably. While they are similar in many, overarching ways, they contain some differences. Both terms centre themselves around reason, evidence and intellectual freedom, and both have played an important

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Women’s Day 2026: Time For A Reality Check

Equality, Freethinkers, Humanism, Public Interest Articles

Every year on 9 August, South Africans commemorate Women’s Day, marking the anniversary of the 1956 march when more than 20,000 women united in protest against the apartheid pass laws. Their courage became a powerful symbol of resistance to injustice and a reminder that ordinary people can bring about extraordinary change. Seventy years on Seventy

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The Long History of Freethought

Freethinkers, Opinion Pieces, Philosophy, Public Interest Articles, Secularism

When we hear the word freethought, it is easy to imagine a modern movement that emerged in response to organised religion. In reality, the desire to ask questions, challenge accepted wisdom and seek evidence has been part of the human story for thousands of years. Freethought is not about telling people what to believe. Rather,

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Why have a Baby Naming Ceremony?

Humanism, Non-religious ceremonies, Opinion Pieces, Public Interest Articles, Secular Parenting

Introduction Many young couples would describe themselves as “non-religious”. So when they have a baby they don’t wish to take it to a formal religious venue for some sort of ritual which will commit them and the child to uphold that religion’s teachings. But that doesn’t mean that they don’t want a ceremony in which

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The Value of Non-Religious Coming-of-Age Ceremonies

Non-religious ceremonies, Opinion Pieces, Public Interest Articles

Introduction Coming-of-age ceremonies have long served as vital milestones, marking the transformative journey from childhood into the responsibilities of adulthood. While these transitions were historically anchored in religious traditions, like Bar Mitzvahs or Confirmations, more families today are seeking meaningful ways to celebrate this evolution outside of a spiritual framework. A secular ceremony focuses on

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Confronting Religious Indoctrination in South African Schools

Opinion Pieces, Public Interest Articles, Religion in schools

Introduction South Africa is one of the most religiously diverse countries in the world. Our classrooms bring together children from Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, African Traditional, and many other faith backgrounds. Increasingly, they also include learners who identify as atheist, agnostic, humanist, or simply non-religious. In a democratic society, schools have an important responsibility: to

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Modern Humanism: An Interview with the Author

Freethinkers, Humanism, Opinion Pieces, Philosophy, Public Interest Articles

Modern Humanism: Science, Ethics and the Stewardship of Earth by Kai Taraporevala was published in 2025 by MH Eudaimon Editions. It has been widely praised by reviewers as a masterful synthesis of science, philosophy, and environmental ethics. The South African Secular Society conducted the following interview with the author. How do you define modern

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What is Humanism?

Freethinkers, Humanism, Opinion Pieces, Philosophy, Public Interest Articles

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

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Talking About Death Over Coffee: Why Death Cafés Matter

Freethinkers, Humanism, Opinion Pieces, Public Interest Articles

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.

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