“When someone who doesn’t identify with a faith tradition steps forward to serve with integrity and compassion, it broadens the idea of who belongs in public life.”

“It’s important to show that people can live ethical, compassionate, service-driven lives without religious belief.”

"I believe in the capacity of all people to do good and to help each other, and being open about my nonreligious identity reinforces that."

Representing the 2nd Ward of the City of Wyoming, Michigan.

“My values are rooted in doing what is right because that is how we should care for our fellow humans, not because I’m afraid of what may or may not happen in some sort of afterlife, or to please a higher power.”

“Our ‘North Star’ for all decisions is, ‘what is best for our students?'”

“Although I know that a lot of my colleagues consult their religion when they look at policy, that just does not come up for me. Instead, my priorities are based in compassion and sustainability…”

"I highlighted the importance of secular governance and the need to protect the separation of church and state."

“Being open about myself and my experiences shows people that their secular government has secular members who will prioritize the needs of the people.”

“When I stand up as a secular person, I can use my privilege to highlight the fact that there are MANY voices at the table.”

"Everyone should have a home, and everyone should have a voice in our democracy."

“As a humanist, decreasing human suffering—and indeed by extension all suffering—is my primary motivator.”

Pioneering public official working to bring progressive values to Central New York.

“As a non-believer, where do I get my morals from? Maybe kindness and compassion are simply human traits just because they are the right thing to do.”

“Grounding my views in science means I will always advocate for policies that make a positive impact on the health of our residents, visitors and labor force.”

“It is important for people to see that morality, goodness, understanding, and progress does not belong to religion.”

“Living in a red state that is deeply influenced by religious and political ideology, it is very important to me that we both defend and promote humanist values.”