Freethinkers' Forum
The Freethinkers’ Forum is a monthly gathering to discuss topics of interest to freethinkers, atheists, agnostics and other non-religious people. The purpose of these gatherings is to foster respectful dialogue of interesting and intellectually stimulating topics.
All participants are asked to familiarize themselves with and agree to follow our code of conduct.
Upcoming Forums
Last updated 2025-11-06
How should secular humanists relate to traditionally religious holidays?
Join the Freethinkers’ Forum, on Thursday, December 4th, 2025 at 6:30 pm at the Keith Summey Library in North Charleston. We will be discussing the question, “How should secular humanists relate to traditionally religious holidays?
Many secular humanists come from religious backgrounds, and with that comes the question of holidays. Should we reject traditions like Christmas, Hanukkah, Ramadan, or Diwali altogether — or can we embrace their cultural and familial aspects while leaving the theology behind? For some, secular adaptations bring joy and connection; for others, these holidays feel irrelevant or even uncomfortable. How do we decide what to keep, what to discard, and what new traditions to create?”
Can secular humanism meet our spiritual needs?
Join the Freethinkers’ Forum onThursday, January 8, 2026 at 6:30 pm at the Keith Summey Library in North Charleston. We will be discussing the question, “Can secular humanism meet our spiritual needs?”
Religion has long claimed to be the source of meaning, transcendence, and connection — needs that are often called “spiritual.” But if we reject the supernatural, do those needs go away? Or do secular humanists also experience a yearning for awe, wonder, and a sense of belonging to something larger than ourselves? If so, how do we meet those needs without belief in gods, souls, or the afterlife?
Are there ethical limits that should be imposed on the pursuit of science and technology?
Join the Freethinkers’ Forum, tentatively scheduled for Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 6:30 pm at the Keith Summey Library in North Charleston. We will be discussing the question, “Are there ethical limits that should be imposed on the pursuit of science and technology?”
From the first stone tools to modern gene editing, human progress has always depended on science and technology — but not every advance leads to human flourishing. Emerging fields like artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, and neurotechnology raise profound ethical questions about privacy, inequality, and what it means to be human. Are there limits that should be placed on scientific pursuit, and who should decide them — scientists, policymakers, or society at large? How can secular humanists balance our commitment to knowledge with our responsibility to ensure it serves humanity wisely?
Past Forums
What are the political obligations of a secular humanist?
Join the Freethinkers’ Forum on Thursday, November 6, 2025 at 6:30 pm at the Otranto Road Library in North Charleston (2261 Otranto Rd). We will be discussing the question, “What are the political obligations of a secular humanist?”
We’ll be meeting just after the 2025 general elections — a fitting time to reflect not only on outcomes, but on our responsibilities as secular humanists in a turbulent political climate. How much is enough? How do we live out our values of dignity, equality, and justice in public life without burning out? What are our obligations, and how do we balance civic engagement with personal well-being?
Are some book bans justifiable?
Join the Freethinkers’ Forum on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at 6:30 pm at the Keith Summey Library in North Charleston (3503 Rivers Ave). We will be discussing the question, “Are some book bans justifiable?”
We’re meeting during Banned Books Week (October 5–11) — a time when we celebrate the freedom to read and push back against censorship, especially when it targets books that address race, gender, sexuality, or other marginalized perspectives. But what about books that many consider deeply harmful—racist propaganda, calls to violence, or works filled with toxic stereotypes? As humanists, we champion intellectual freedom, yet we also value ethical responsibility. We will try to grapple with the tension between protecting free expression and recognizing the real-world harm certain books can cause.
Can humans actually solve our problems?
Join the Freethinkers’ Forum on Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at 6 pm at the Keith Summey Library in North Charleston (3503 Rivers Ave). We will be discussing the question, “Can humans actually solve our problems?”
Secular humanism is a fundamentally optimistic worldview. It affirms that, through cooperation, reason, science, and evidence-based policy, humans can solve the problems we face — from injustice and inequality to climate change and global conflict. Humanism places trust in our collective ability to build a better world.
Are you anti-religious?
Discussion prompt: Are you anti-religious? SHL, as an organization, is fundamentally NOT anti-religious. We are defenders of religious freedom and believe that everyone should have the right to believe (or not believe) and practice their religion (or lack thereof) as...