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SSM meets on Wednesday nights at 8pm in 220 Culler.
What does "secular" mean?
- Need to test beliefs. A conviction that dogmas, ideologies and traditions, whether religious, political or social, must be weighed and tested by each individual and not simply accepted on faith.
- Reason, evidence, scientific method. Commitment to the use of critical reason, factual evidence, and scientific methods of inquiry, rather than faith and mysticism, in seeking solutions to human problems and answers to important human questions.
- Fulfillment, growth, creativity. A primary concern with fulfillment, growth, and creativity for both the individual and humankind in general.
- Search for truth. A constant search for objective truth, with the understanding that new knowledge and experience constantly alter our imperfect perception of it.
- This life. A concern for this life and a commitment to making it meaningful through better understanding of ourselves, our history, our intellectual and artistic achievements, and the outlooks of those who differ from us.
- Ethics. A search for viable individual, social and political principles of ethical conduct, judging them on their ability to enhance human well-being and individual responsibility.
- Building a better world. A conviction that with reason, an open exchange of ideas, good will, and tolerance, progress can be made in building a better world for ourselves and our children.
What are our goals?
- To promote and practice a healthy skepticism in all things, including the open, rational, and scientific examination of the universe and our place in it.
- To promote a humanistic morality based on reason and compassion for others, rather than on holy books or divine revelation.
- To foster tolerance and understanding for people who have a secular worldview through education, and to provide a community for atheists, agnostics, humanists, and other secularists.
- To advocate for the separation of church and state.
Club history
Secular Students of Miami (SSM) was founded in the spring of 2007 by seniors Eric Frey, Chris Stuart, Amelia Huerta, and Josh Pultorak, and by sophomores Abby Zofkie, and Christine Whalin. The club was officially recognized by Miami University in the fall of 2007, and by winter, nearly 100 students had enthusiastically joined the club’s Facebook group.
Although there were many religious clubs on campus, before SSM was founded there weren't any clubs for students with non-religious worldviews. The purpose of SSM is to provide a place where atheists, agnostics, humanists, and other secular students can find community, and where they would feel comfortable sharing ideas. SSM also aims to promote free inquiry and skepticism; practice humanistic values based on reason and compassion; organize lectures and activities to educate Miami University and the surrounding community; foster tolerance for people of all faiths, including people of no faith; and advocate for the separation of church and state.
Secular Students of Miami works closely with the Interfaith Circle and the Diversity Affairs Council. We welcome people of all views and persuasions to share their thoughts with us in an environment of open and free inquiry. SSM is an affiliate of the Secular Student Alliance.
Our governance
SSM is dedicated to the principles of open and transparent democracy in all its actions.
You can read our Constitution here, or download it in PDF form here.
