The Humanist Response to Authoritarianism by Jonathan Simmons

Jonathan Simmons argues that secular humanism offers unique tools for resisting authoritarianism—prioritizing evidence over dogma, individual agency over collective obedience, and free inquiry over prescribed truths. By cultivating rational discourse, moral courage, and a commitment to universal human dignity, humanists can confront the creeping normalization of authoritarianism without reliance on divine authority. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/2025/07/the-humanist-response-to-authoritarianism/ About the Author:  Jonathan Simmons, PhD, is an independent scholar and higher education professional whose research examines nonreligion and social movements in North America. His doctoral work analyzed moral identity and activism in Canadian atheist communities, and his current research focuses on Indigenous religious change and nonreligion. His scholarly articles have appeared in Secular Studies, Religion and Gender, and Social Movement Studies, examining topics ranging from feminist atheist activism to the intersections of nonreligion with social justice movements. Subscribe to Free Inquiry: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/ Free Inquiry Audio Edition is a production of The Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry.