Published: April 6, 2015, 3:07 p.m.
\nPhil Zuckerman is a professor of sociology at Pitzer College, and among the world's leading experts in the growing field of secular studies, with a deep understanding of how people's lives are lived without religion. He\u2019s the author of the books\xa0
Living the Secular Life: New Answers to Old Questions,\xa0
Society without God, and\xa0
Faith No More: Why People Reject Religion.\n\n
\nThere is wide range of secular people, from hardcore atheists and secular humanists to those for whom religion is simply unimportant, and Zuckerman distinguishes between the vast majority of nonbelievers who live normal, upstanding lives, and the small minority for whom secularism is an organizing force. He discusses with\xa0
Point of Inquiry\xa0host Lindsay Beyerstein how empathy, rather than belief in the watchful eye of a deity, is the guiding force of secular morality, and how religion can actually hinder society\u2019s larger moral understanding.\xa0\n\n
\n\xa0\nIt\u2019s a fascinating inward look at our own community of skeptics and humanists, and you can learn even more from Zuckerman about his ideas and research at the\xa0
http://reasonforchange.centerforinquiry.net/">
\xa0Reason for Change conference, where he\u2019ll be among the many brilliant and provocative speakers. Reason for Change takes place\xa0July 11-15\xa0in Buffalo, New York. Visit\xa0http://reasonforchange.centerforinquiry.net/"
>\xa0reasonforchange.org\xa0for more!\n
