About us
We are focused on (1) building community for non-religious people in the lowcountry, (2) practicing secular values through mutual aid and volunteer service, and (3) engaging in activism, particularly around defending the first amendment guarantee of separation of state and church. We are based in Charleston, South Carolina and are a chapter of the American Humanist Association.
Founded in 1994, our members are freethinkers of many kinds. We call ourselves agnostics, atheists, skeptics, secular humanists, rationalists and scientific naturalists. We are an all volunteer, member supported organization. We welcome you and all who are interested in participating in our friendly community. Our events are open to members and non-members alike.
For more information, check out our Webpage at http://lowcountryhumanists.org and sign up for our Mailchimp e-mail announcements.
You can also use our Linktree to find us on socials: https://linktr.ee/chshumanists
Upcoming events
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No Kings: Nationwide Day of Action
Ashley Phosphate Protests Spot, 5201 Ashley Phosphate Road, North Charleston, SC, USOn Saturday, March 28, people across the country will take to the streets for NO KINGS, a peaceful national day of action against the authoritarian excesses and corruption of the Trump administration.
Humanists know that we the people are the rescuers we need right now. In a democracy, the people *are* the government.
We’re standing together to remind them: America has no kings.
This is our moment to show up—whether you’ve been fighting for years or you’re just fed up and ready to act. Together, we can build a massive, visible, nonviolent rejection of corruption and power grabs.
Meet up with fellow humanists from SHL. The protest address is listed at 5201 Ashley Phosphate Road, and SHL will specifically be across from Dollar Tree (5160 Ashley Phosphate Rd) with plenty of parking available.
Look for the SHL flag, and wear your SHL merch if you have it!
💪 The power is in your hands. On March 28, let’s stand up for democracy, freedom, and justice—and show that the people, not the powerful, have the final say.
14 attendees
What’s it like being a non-believer in South Carolina?
Keith Summey Library, 3503 Rivers Ave, North Charleston, SC, USDiscussion prompt:
South Carolina is one of the most religious states in the country. Church affiliation is often assumed to be the norm, and a common question when meeting someone new is, “Where do you go to church?” Religion frequently appears in public life as well—public meetings begin with prayer, political rhetoric invokes faith, and religious identity is often treated as a marker of belonging and trustworthiness.Charleston is sometimes called “The Holy City,” a nickname reflecting its historic skyline of church steeples and its enduring religious culture. While the Charleston area is more politically and culturally diverse than many parts of the state, atheists, agnostics, and secular humanists still encounter strong social expectations around religion. For many non-believers, this can create moments of awkwardness, pressure to conform, or a sense of being out of place.
For secular humanists and other non-religious people, this raises important questions about authenticity, community, and how to live out our values in a religious environment. Humanism affirms reason, ethical responsibility, and respect for people of all beliefs—but navigating a culture where non-belief is often misunderstood can require careful judgment and resilience.
Related questions:
- When someone asks, “Where do you go to church?”, how do you usually respond?
- How open are you about being non-religious in different areas of your life (work, family, social settings)?
- Have you experienced pressure, awkwardness, or exclusion because of your non-belief? How did you handle it?
- How should secular humanists respond when religious practices appear in civic settings, such as public meetings or school events?
- How can we maintain good relationships with religious neighbors and coworkers while still being honest about our worldview?
- What role do communities like SHL play in helping secular people feel less isolated?
Living as a secular humanist in a religious culture can be challenging—but it can also create opportunities to model curiosity, empathy, and intellectual honesty. How do you navigate that balance in your own life?
***All participants are asked to familiarize themselves with and agree to follow our code of conduct.
About the group:
The Freethinkers' Forum is a monthly gathering facilitated by the Secular Humanist of the Lowcountry 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. The focus is discussion and so we will not have speakers. We may have brief presentations to introduce topics, but those will be restricted to 15 minutes or less. There may be optional readings or television or film recommendations to stimulate discussion.7 attendees
Visit to Mother Emanuel AME Church
Mother Emanuel, 110 Calhoun St, Charleston, SC, USOn Saturday, April 11th, SHL will visit Mother Emanuel AME Church in downtown Charleston for a guided historical discussion inside the sanctuary.
This is not a traditional tour. Instead, church staff will welcome us into the sanctuary and lead a 45–60 minute discussion on the church’s history, its role in the Charleston community, and its broader historical significance.
This visit is organized following the SHL Book Club’s recent discussion of Mother Emanuel by Kevin Sack, which explored the church’s history and legacy. However, participants need not have read the book or participated in Book Club to join us for this event.
This is a meaningful opportunity to engage directly with a site that holds both historical and contemporary significance in Charleston and beyond.
Event Details:
- Date: Saturday, April 11
- Time: 11:30 AM (please arrive by 11:15 AM)
- Location: Mother Emanuel AME Church
110 Calhoun St, Charleston, SC - Parking: Available behind the church
- Entry: Please use the main entrance
Notes:
- Men are asked to remove hats upon entering the sanctuary.
- As this is an active place of worship and a site of deep historical importance, attendees should be mindful and respectful throughout the visit.
Lunch:
All participants are invited to join us for lunch after the visit to the church at East Bay Deli, located at 334 East Bay St, about a quarter of a mile away.Thanks to the generosity of our donors, SHL has funds available to ensure everyone feels welcome and able to participate. If the cost of dining out presents a challenge, please email us at shl@lowcountryhumanists.org and we can discreetly arrange to cover your costs.
13 attendees
Past events
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