Archives for March 2025

Humanist Café : Do you feel you’ve made the most of your life ?

6 March 2025 by

At our latest Humanist Café, we delved into some of life’s biggest questions: Have you truly lived or merely existed? Do you feel you’ve made the most of your life? These thought-provoking questions sparked deep and meaningful conversations among a diverse group of participants, with a balanced mix of younger and senior voices bringing unique perspectives to the discussion.

As the conversation unfolded, two key themes emerged:

A Sense of Belonging – Many shared that their most meaningful moments in life were shaped by the relationships they built, the communities they became part of, and the sense of connection they felt with others. Whether through friendships, family, or shared experiences, finding belonging played a crucial role in making life feel fulfilling.

The Purpose of Life – The discussion naturally led to reflections on what gives life meaning. For some, it was about pursuing passions and personal growth. For others, it was about making a difference in the lives of others or embracing new experiences with curiosity and courage.

One of the most powerful moments of the evening was when participants were asked: “Share one moment from your life when you felt truly alive.” Many spoke about experiencing the beauty of nature—whether it was standing before a breathtaking sunset, hiking in the mountains, or simply watching the waves crash onto the shore. These moments, filled with awe and wonder, reminded us of how deeply intertwined we are with the world around us.

The Humanist Café once again proved to be a space for open dialogue, reflection, and meaningful exchanges. It left us all with one important takeaway: Life is not just about existing—it’s about finding joy, purpose, and connection in the journey.

We look forward to more conversations that challenge, inspire, and bring us together.

Join us for the next session!

Blog, Events, Featured Articles/Letters, Humanist Cafe

Secular Assembly : Celebrating Charles Darwin.

6 March 2025 by

Our second Secular Assembly of the year was held on 22 February 2025. Featuring an intriguing talk that dispelled common myths about reactions to the theory of evolution, the Assembly once again invited attendees to connect, learn and reflect.

The Assembly began with a tour of the Harmony in Diversity Gallery. This gallery celebrates Singapore’s multi-cultural society and depicts the importance of getting along with others of different creeds.

Indeed, while differences of belief are part of a healthy society, they can also lead to ridicule and conflict. For example, it’s easy to assume that Charles Darwin’s ground-breaking theory of evolution was met with an angry backlash from everyone in his time.

This brings us to our guest speaker Dr John van Wyhe, a historian of science at NUS who has also spoken at our past Darwin Day events. Through an engaging presentation on his research into historical caricatures of Darwin and evolution, Dr van Wyhe showed that many contemporary reactions to Darwin’s ideas were in fact more light-hearted and less dismissive than one might have assumed.

Dr van Whye’s insights gave attendees an appreciation of religious contexts and historical shifts regarding reactions to the theory of evolution, and sparked a lively Q & A session. Other highlights of the Assembly included a rousing rendition of “That’s What Friends Are For” by Dionne Warwick, led by our intrepid president Nora. The event closed with a gratitude exercise, a welcome pause to reflect on interconnectedness and aspects of our lives for which we felt thankful.

See you at the next Assembly where we will continue to enjoy food for thought and build the humanist community!

Complete work of Charles Darwin online

Blog, Events, Featured Articles/Letters, Secular Assembly

Exploring the Outdoors: Nature Walk at Rifle Range Nature Park

6 March 2025 by

On February 15th, members of the Humanist Society (Singapore) came together for a refreshing morning walk at Rifle Range Nature Park. Surrounded by lush greenery and the calming sounds of nature, it was a wonderful opportunity to step away from the hustle of daily life and reconnect with the natural world.

One participant summed it up perfectly: “It was great to get out in nature and hang out with folks.” The walk was not just about enjoying the scenic trails but also about meaningful conversations, shared laughter, and the simple joy of being present in the moment.

By the end of the walk, a common sentiment emerged—“I wish we could do this like twice a month.” The enthusiasm for more nature outings is heartening, and we look forward to organizing more walks in the future. After all, what better way to nurture both body and mind than by immersing ourselves in nature?

Stay tuned for our next adventure!

Blog, Events, Featured Articles/Letters, HSS Socials

Hanging out with Humanists: Darwin, Dawkins, and a Dash of Lo Hei!

6 March 2025 by

Friday 7th February Hanging Out with Humanists was a lively mix of new faces, deep discussions, and delicious traditions! We welcomed three new guests into our ever-growing circle, and since it’s Darwin Month, it was only fitting that we engaged in some evolutionary discourse… and a bit of natural selection in conversation too!

The heated debate of the night? Natural selection and gender identification! Darwin might not have envisioned this particular topic when writing The Origin of Species, but if he were at our table, he’d probably have furiously taken notes (or quietly excused himself).

To keep things fun, we played “Who Said It: Darwin or Dawkins?”, where quick-thinking participants had to guess whether a quote came from the father of evolution or the father of sharp-tongued atheism. Correct answers were rewarded with special gifts—though, unfortunately, we couldn’t offer survival of the fittest as a prize.

Of course, no gathering is complete without touching on world affairs—we also discussed the growing concerns over Muslim refugees in Europe, US politics on illegal immigration, and perhaps the most pressing issue of the night: Why can’t we get REAL pork bacon in Singapore’s McDonald’s?! (A moment of silence for this injustice.)

And since it’s still Chinese Lunar New Year, we ended the night with a spirited Lo Hei session—because nothing screams humanist camaraderie like tossing food in the air and shouting wishes for luck, health, and maybe even a future where SG McDonald’s serves pork bacon.

As always, it was an evening filled with laughter, deep discussions, and a good dose of chaos—just the way we like it! Until next time, stay curious, stay skeptical, and may the best adaptations win!

Blog, Events, Featured Articles/Letters, Hanging Out with Humanist

Reflecting on Our Mindfulness Workshop with Brahm Center

6 March 2025 by

The Humanist Society (Singapore) had the privilege of collaborating with Brahm Centre to host a mindfulness workshop led by Ms. Ya Wen. Mindfulness is more than just a practice— it is a way of living that allows us to cultivate awareness, presence, and emotional resilience in our daily lives. In a fast-paced world filled with distractions, mindfulness helps us reconnect with ourselves, offering clarity and balance in the midst of life’s demands.

One of our participants, Peter Huber, shared his experience:

“I attended the mindfulness presentation today and it was amazing. It was very practical, with exercises on how to feel your body and stay in the present moment. I guess I will integrate that head and shoulder stretching exercise into my daily life—it has already helped me lessen some neck pain. Another exercise focused on tuning into different body parts, something I learned 30 years ago in Germany as ‘Autogenes Training.’ It helped me become a less nervous person. We also explored the interaction between feelings and the body. Everything was very practical and enjoyable.”

Workshops like these remind us of the importance of self-care and mindfulness in our daily routines. Whether it’s a simple stretch, a moment of stillness, or recognizing how our emotions influence our physical well-being, these small but meaningful practices can make a significant difference in how we navigate life.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Ms. Ya Wen and Brahm Centre for this insightful session. Brahm Centre is a registered charity dedicated to promoting mental well-being through mindfulness-based programs, health talks, and wellness courses. They offer a range of evidence-based programs, including stress reduction, resilience-building, and mindfulness training for individuals from all walks of life. We look forward to bringing more enriching experiences to our community.

More about Brahm Center

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