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, Read more
The Long History of Freethought Read More »
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
Why have a Baby Naming Ceremony? Read More »
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
The Value of Non-Religious Coming-of-Age Ceremonies Read More »
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
Confronting Religious Indoctrination in South African Schools Read More »
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
Modern Humanism: An Interview with the Author Read More »
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
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 »
Belonging is not a luxury. It is not a soft, sentimental idea. It is a fundamental human need. Psychologists have long recognised that the need to belong sits alongside our need for safety and security. We are social beings. We thrive when we feel seen, understood and accepted. We suffer when we feel excluded, misunderstood
The Human Need to Belong – and the Courage to Live Authentically Read More »
This opinion piece was written by SASS member “Joy” Bless. It started with some rather personal experience: first with a friend of mine, in South Africa, then with a niece in Latin America. Two very different regions of the world, two very different cultures and religions, but with the same reaction: “How can you not
The Growth of the Non-religious Population and its Challenges 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 »
