What we’re about
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
10
Coleman Watts: Confessions of a Former Conspiracy Theorist
Charleston County Public Library, Main Library, Main Library, 68 Calhoun Street, Charleston, SC, USThe list of individuals who have managed to escape the rabbit hole of conspiracism is short, but there is an even shorter list of individuals who have then gone on to become popular skeptical podcasters. Former conspiracy enthusiast Coleman Watts discusses why people fall for cults and cons, and how he managed to climb out of the rabbit hole. What’s the best way to talk to a conspiracy theorist to dissuade – and persuade – them from their views? Is misinformation taking over, and if so, why?
For our January member gathering Coleman Watts will talk about all of this and more in an engaging talk about his experiences debunking the views he used to embrace.
Coleman Watts is the host of the YouTube show Think This Through. He debunks cons, cults and conspiracies with a humorous flair, drawing on his own experience of falling down the rabbit hole himself.
The meeting will be held in the auditorium of the Main Public Library downtown. It is free and open to the public. Metered street parking is free on Sundays, and there is parking available in the garage under the library (garage closes at 5).26 attendees
Freethinkers' Forum: Should there be ethical limits on science and technology?
Keith Summey Library, 3503 Rivers Ave, North Charleston, SC, USDiscussion prompt:
From the first stone tools to modern gene editing, human progress has always depended on science and technology. As secular humanists, we tend to celebrate curiosity, discovery, and innovation — but we also recognize that not every scientific advance leads to human flourishing.
Today, emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, and neurotechnology promise to reshape life itself. At the same time, they raise urgent ethical questions about privacy, inequality, and what it means to be human. Even scientific research, when applied to topics like population genetics or intelligence, can have troubling social and political implications.
This a challenge for humanists: Are there ethical limits that should be imposed on the pursuit of science and technology?
Related questions:
- Who decides where those boundaries lie — scientists, policymakers, or society at large?
- Is restricting certain lines of research an act of moral responsibility, or a threat to intellectual freedom?
- Can science truly be “neutral,” or is every experiment shaped by human values and biases?
- What principles — compassion, equity, minimizing harm — should guide decisions about what science should or should not pursue?
- How do secular humanists balance our commitment to knowledge with our concern for the ethical use of that knowledge?
Let’s examine together how a humanist perspective can illuminate the promises and perils of scientific progress — and what moral responsibilities come with the power to shape the future.
You can bring dinner! We are allowed to have food and drink inside the community room at the library (we just can't have heat sources). Since we are meeting around dinner time, we invite people to bring take-out dinner or snacks. We also have the space from 6 pm, so welcome people to come early to socialize before we begin the discussion.
***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.8 attendees
Past events
1253
