The Secular Life

Ethics and Morality

How Can You Be Moral If You Don't Believe in God?

Phil Zuckerman Ph.D. on August 23, 2019

Morality is best understood as a nature, social, and secular phenomenon, not something grounded in the supernatural.

Morality is best understood as a nature, social, and secular phenomenon, not something grounded in the supernatural.

Religion

Secularism Hits the Arab World

Phil Zuckerman Ph.D. on July 3, 2019

A new study finds secularism dramatically rising throughout the Arab world.

A new study finds secularism dramatically rising throughout the Arab world.

Religion

What Does "Agnostic" Mean?

Phil Zuckerman Ph.D. on June 5, 2019

More and more people are leaving religion. But they're not all atheists. Many are agnostic.

More and more people are leaving religion. But they're not all atheists. Many are agnostic.

Mormon beliefs, practices, and retention rates are showing signs of decline.

In the wake of the recent mosque shooting, New Zealand's secular Prime Minister bans semi-automatic assault weapons. It's the moral thing to do.

Religion

Want Eternal Life? Are You Sure?

Phil Zuckerman Ph.D. on February 19, 2019

Eternity would actually be a meaningless nightmare.

Eternity would actually be a meaningless nightmare.

Religion

What Are Jews?

Phil Zuckerman Ph.D. on January 15, 2019

Jews defy simple categorization in that they are both a religious group and an ethnic group. Here's why.

Jews defy simple categorization in that they are both a religious group and an ethnic group. Here's why.

Religion

What Is Secularism?

Phil Zuckerman Ph.D. on August 28, 2018

More and more people are talking about secularism these days—but what does it actually mean?

More and more people are talking about secularism these days—but what does it actually mean?

Religion

Religion, Secularism, and Xenophobia

Phil Zuckerman Ph.D. on July 24, 2018

Why, in large national surveys, do religious people tend to be more xenophobic than secular people?

Why, in large national surveys, do religious people tend to be more xenophobic than secular people?

When tragedy strikes, why do people think God plays favorites?

Suicide

No, Sweden Does Not Have the Highest Suicide Rate

Phil Zuckerman Ph.D. on December 29, 2017

Everyone things that Scandinavia leads the world in suicide. It's not true.

Everyone things that Scandinavia leads the world in suicide. It's not true.

Religion

Fighting for the Separation of Church and State

Phil Zuckerman Ph.D. on November 28, 2017

Secularism requires a strong wall between government and religion.

Secularism requires a strong wall between government and religion.

President Donald Trump

Do We, as Americans, Worship God?

Phil Zuckerman Ph.D. on July 27, 2017

Most Americans believe in God. But many don't — and their numbers are growing.

Most Americans believe in God. But many don't — and their numbers are growing.

Sexual Orientation

Religion, Secularism, and Homophobia

Phil Zuckerman Ph.D. on July 21, 2017

Millennials are the least homophobic Americans, and also the least religious.

Millennials are the least homophobic Americans, and also the least religious.

What's it like being secular in the Bible Belt?

The tricky balance of supportive empathy and skeptical secularism

Religion

Christianity Is Dying in the United Kingdom

Phil Zuckerman Ph.D. on May 24, 2017

Latest study shows that Christianity in Britain is in deep decline.

Latest study shows that Christianity in Britain is in deep decline.

Belief in the bible continues to plummet.

The most religious states tend to fare poorly, while the least religious states tend to fare much better

Biblical myths are just that: myths.