Dave Niose, President of the American Humanist Association, has a piece at Open Salon where reader can find out whether or not they are Secular Americans:
If someone (other than your partner) wants to regulate your bedroom behavior, you can bet he or she isn’t a Secular American.
If you feel there is too much God-talk in the public forum and that politicians too often wrap themselves in God and patriotism just to win votes, you might be a Secular American.
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If the idea of gays and lesbians having equal rights offends you, then you’re probably NOT a Secular American.
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If you determine your values through your own reason and experience, without fear of divine retribution, then you may be a Secular American. On the other hand, if you are good mainly because you fear the wrath of God, then you probably aren’t a Secular American.
Yep, I’m pretty sure I’m a Secular American 🙂
While we’re at it, what do you think about that phrase?
It’s another umbrella term for the non-religious — do we really need another? — but it’s more positive and affirming.
It’s not anti-something or a-something — one reason even people like Sam Harris dislike the word “atheist.”
I think it has a much better chance of catching on with the mainstream public than “Bright” and “Humanist” (both terms I like, but which usually require further explanation).
And it just sounds like a much larger demographic than “non-religious” or “non-theistic.”
Plus, I know the Secular Student Alliance and Secular Coalition for America would be thrilled if it caught on.
Would you use that term to describe yourself? Why or why not?