Our fourth Secular Assembly of the year, held on 19 April, responded to a fundamental question. Without depending on a supernatural authority, what frameworks can non-religious people use to live an ethical and meaningful life? 

A look at the philosophy of ethics

Our guest speaker Adrian Chia provided a whirlwind introduction to ethical approaches and acknowledged their links to humankind’s history of cultural traditions and intellectual inquiry. Adrian, a regular volunteer at HSS with a background in philosophy, ethics, and psychology, discussed four main branches of the philosophy of ethics: metaethics, descriptive ethics, normative ethics and applied ethics. Diving into applied ethics, the study of how moral principles can be used in real-life situations, he discussed principlism (an approach that prioritises commonly accepted principles such as justice and autonomy), case-based reasoning and ethical codes (e.g., codes of conducts followed by professions). 

Beyond the Golden Rule 

The study of ethics gives us a plethora of concepts. Want a quick takeaway that can be applied to daily life? In terms of personal and specific recommendations to humanists, Adrian highlighted the Golden Rule and its variations as useful moral tools.

A formulation of the Golden Rule is “Treat others as you would like others to treat you”. Related principles have arisen across the major faiths across the world, which arguably indicates that these principles are rooted in collective human experience. Beyond the Golden Rule, Adrian noted its limitations and certain variations to consider: the Silver Rule (“Do not treat others in ways that you would not like to be treated”) the Platinum Rule (“Treat others the way they would like to be treated”) and the Rhodium Rule (“Think about the entire ecosystem”).

Throughout the talk, members of the audience added their perspectives on varied topics such as karma, sin and gender biases. Attendees were also polled on a variety of trolley problems that challenged us to determine what to do in a situation where individual rights and collective good seem in conflict. As Adrian put it, readymade answers to complex ethical questions are in short supply: “there is no Ten-Year Series”.  

Adrian’s recommendations for further reading and exploration included:

• Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaardner – an introduction to philosophy in novel form
• The Moral Landscape by Sam Harris – a neuroscientific look at morality
• The Moral Landscape Challenge, an essay rebutting the book
• Three Worlds Collide by Eliezer Yudkowsky, a short story on metaethics
• The Effective Altruism movement, which provides a framework for identifying effective charities

In addition to the guest talk, we continued the tradition of previous Assemblies by holding a fun singalong and a closing meditation which united our group in reflection on everyone’s interdependence within wider society. For more fellowship and thought-provoking conversations, join us for the next Assembly as we continue to build the Humanist community!

Celebrating International Women’s Day- A Humanist Reflection

The Secular Assembly has always embraced discussions on meaningful, worldly themes. This month, in celebration of International Women’s Day, we were honored to welcome a visiting speaker and guests from AWARE (Association of Women for Action and Research) to engage in dialogue on gender equality, human rights, and social progress.

A Song of Strength and Solidarity

The assembly opened with a sing-along of Helen Reddy’s iconic anthem, I Am Woman, a song that has long been a rallying cry for women’s empowerment:

“I am woman, hear me roar… Whoa, yes, I am wise,

But it’s wisdom born of pain. …

If I have to, I can do anything,

I am invincible,

I am woman.”

The lyrics resonated deeply with the audience, setting the tone for the event—one of reflection, solidarity, and action. It was a fitting reminder of the resilience and determination that have fueled both the feminist and humanist movements throughout history.

Humanism and Gender Equality

Following this uplifting start, Nora, President of the Humanist Society of Singapore (HSS), introduced the audience to the principles of humanism, emphasizing its core belief in rational thought, compassion, and individual freedom. Dan, the event’s lead organizer, then highlighted a significant statistic: according to the Singapore Census 2020, nearly 20% of Singapore residents identified as having no religious affiliation. In a society as diverse as Singapore, he stressed, harmony and mutual respect must never be taken for granted.

A Personal Journey: Breaking Stereotypes

The keynote speaker, Shamima, opened her talk by sharing her personal journey—one that led her away from the traditional expectations of women in her community. Growing up in a Muslim family, she had been expected to follow a conventional path, but her search for meaning and self-determination led her toward humanism. She eventually became a member of HSS and even served as Vice President for one term. 

Her personal experiences also reinforced a critical lesson: simplifying identities through labels and stereotypes is both dangerous and dehumanizing. A society that confines women to a single narrative fails to see the richness of human experience.

The AWARE Saga: A Defining Moment

Shamima then turned the discussion to a pivotal event in Singapore’s feminist history—the 2009 AWARE Saga, a dramatic power struggle within AWARE that captured the nation’s attention and led to significant public discourse on women’s rights, religious influence in civil society, and democratic values.

Though Shamima had not personally attended the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) that saw thousands rally to reclaim AWARE’s mission, her years working with the organization put her in close contact with the “old guards”—the women who fought through the crisis. One such figure was Constance Singam, an AWARE veteran of 24 years and a six-term president, whose powerful speech at the EGM remains an enduring testament to activism and resilience. It is a timely reminder to us all, that change happens because people decide to make a difference, not because they wait for the world to change around them.

The impact of the AWARE Saga extended beyond the feminist movement. Dan, a founding member of HSS, noted that the reflections and social awakening it inspired also contributed to the birth of the Humanist Society—which later became Singapore’s first recognized humanist organization.

Shared Values, Common Purpose

As stated at the start of the assembly, humanism affirms that individuals have the right and responsibility to shape their own lives. This philosophy mirrors AWARE’s core principles:

• Embrace diversity

• Respect for individual choices

• Recognition of universal human rights, regardless of gender

The fact that AWARE Saga is still studied in some junior colleges and high schools in Singapore is a testament to its enduring social and educational relevance. As we revisited this chapter in history, we were reminded of the words from I Am Woman:

“It’s wisdom born of pain.”

Engaging the Next Generation

During the Q&A session, participants explored questions on how to engage younger women in the feminist movement and how to encourage more involvement in HSS and AWARE. Those interested were encouraged to sign up through the official websites or reach out to the relevant organizers via email.

A Celebration of Life and Diversity

Before closing, Dan orchestrated a lighthearted moment by identifying the “birthday celebrant of the month” among the audience. With a surprise cake and warm wishes, we celebrated not just an individual milestone, but the shared journey of humanist and feminist activism.

Life, in all its diversity, is always a journey worth celebrating.

Stay tuned for our next assembly!

Write up by Humanist OQ

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