Humanist churches fulfill the needs of atheists and agnostics for fellowship and belonging, purpose, education in ethical matters, and ritual and ceremony, but without the need for a belief in the supernatural.
The father of secularism, George Holyoake, was strongly influenced by Auguste Comte, who founded the fields of positivism and modern sociology. Comte, a French philosopher, sought to find a non-theistic replacement for the church, which was under attack during the French Revolution.
Recognizing the roles that traditional worship played in fulfilling the need for cohesiveness in society, he hoped to develop a religion of humanity that would promote altruism, order, and progress, while meeting the human needs for fellowship, a feeling of purpose, and acknowledgment of important lifetime achievements.
The humanist, Thomas Huxley, described Comte's Religion of Humanity as "Catholicism minus Christianity." The religion included a holy trinity (humanity, the earth, and destiny), as well as a priesthood, which was to be made up largely of scholars, physicians, poets, and artists.
Comte's Religion of Humanity failed in France, but his ideas were picked up by people, like Huxley, George Eliot, and Harriet Martineau, in England, although it was significantly changed in the process. Comte's ideas were also popular in Brazil, where the Positivist Church of Brazil was established in 1881.
For many of the same reasons, secular humanists, particularly in the West, have found a reason to establish churches, based in part on Comte's ideas but also on traditional churches, after discarding references to a god or the supernatural.
Religious people can discuss their beliefs, their doubts, or their questions with priests, pastors, rabbis or imams, and they can strengthen and deepen their faith by meeting together in worship. Many atheists have found that they had similar needs but without a need or a desire to believe in a god or in the supernatural.
There was also a need, or at least a desire for a way in which landmarks in life could be recognized ritually, such as births, coming of age, marriages, and funerals.
Humanist churches also offer a sense of community, where members can meet weekly to build friendships, support one another, sing together, and develop a sense of purpose.
The development of humanist churches was not met with unanimous approval from secular humanists, as many viewed them as lending credibility to the idea that secular humanism was a religion, whereas they preferred to view their positions as rational, scientific, and based in reality, while churches were for the superstitious.
Nevertheless, there are humanist churches, and it appears to be a growing trend. Many of these churches are web-based, but there are several brick-and-mortar churches for secular humanists throughout the world.
The purpose of this category is to list websites of humanist churches, whether meeting in physical structures or online only, as well as for websites that discuss the phenomenon of secular humanist churches, whether from a favorable or unfavorable perspective.
Recommended Resources
Situated in Shreveport, Louisiana, the humanist church has, as its goal, for humanity to survive the threats of today and to thrive in the future. An outline of the church is put forth, including its tenets, which are to welcome anyone who wants to be better, to build community on the basis of individual respect, pursue learning and advancement, and to focus on the infinite game over the finite one. Its service location, times, and a discussion of critical thinking skills are included.
https://beinghumanchurch.com/
Sunday meetings of the Calgary Secular Church allow like-minded people to get together, fellowship, share stories, enjoy music, and receive ethical and rational instruction, and to do so without theism or worship, giving members many of the advantages of religion without the supernatural. Meeting locations and times are posted to the site, along with its constitution and other documents, a newsletter, and contacts.
http://www.calgarysecularchurch.org/
Primarily web-based, the Church of Reality is a religion based on the practice of realism, or the belief in that which is real. Its site describes how the church differs from other churches, and discusses the philosophies, edicts, and tenets of the church, including its doctrines, principles, and covenants. Other topics include church membership, its organizational structure, a list of physical churches, an online shopping area, and an online discussion forum.
http://www.churchofreality.org/
Offering an alternative for rationalists and non-believers, the Humanist Church and the Humanist Religion doesn't dwell on the existence of God, the soul, or after-life, and its adherents don't worship. Its membership policies are introduced, along with general information about the church, its founder, and its activities and programs. Also included is a blog. Contributions may be made online.
https://www.humanistchurch.us/
International Church of Metaphysical Humanism
The ministerial organization adheres to a human-centered spiritual philosophy that explores that human condition and empowers the human spirit through grounded and rational metaphysical principles. Membership is free, and obtained through registration with its site, which includes its principles of beliefs, weekly church services, including a live broadcast. An online store offers books and other products.
https://metaphysicalhumanism.org/
The Church of Humanism and The Humanist Foundation
Founded in 1973, the New York City-based Church of Humanism affirms God as a fusion of naturalism and realism, basing its philosophy of life on the values of reason, love, intuition, and a call to conscience. Its founder, Joseph Ben-David, is introduced, along with its programs and activities, schedules, wedding ceremonies, a blog, and an online shopping area. Contributions may be made online.
http://www.humanistfoundation.org/
