Invocation, Secular Reading, or Secular Graces

A Humanist invocation, reading, or grace can be a wonderful addition to public events, celebrations and gatherings, or a traditional or religious wedding ceremony.

Celebrant role: write and deliver the invocation and/or deliver the secular reading or secular grace

Freesource: Secular Gratitude (examples of secular graces and prayers)

Hospital, Hospice, or Prison Visitation

Inner life support provided by institutions can be faith-biased and at the very least not meaningful to Atheists, Humanists, and those of other non-religious identities. Even if intended to be inclusive, there may be a lack of understanding of ethical and other life foundations essential to non-religious people.

An identity-affirming Humanist leader can provide needed encouragement, comfort, and support needed.

HumanLight Celebrations

HumanLight is a Humanist holiday celebrating reason, compassion, and hope. It is officially held on December 23rd but is often celebrated the weekend before the Christian Christmas day.

The first public HumanLight celebration was held in New Jersey in 2001, hosted by the New Jersey Humanist Network. It was first recognized by the American Humanist Association in 2004 as a valuable tradition in the greater Humanist community.

Ceremonies often include lighting three candles: white for reason, red for compassion, and green for hope.

Celebrant role: write and deliver a personalized ceremony; help to identify and craft personal traditions and rituals; write and deliver a secular invocation, Humanist reading, or secular grace.

Debaptism / Deconfirmation

Many people are no longer connected to their religious communities; in fact, many have faced isolation, estrangement from a community or from loved ones, discrimination, bullying, and other faith aggressions when they come out as no longer being religious, or no longer being Christian.

It can be a cleansing, positive ritual to gather accepting, affirming friends and family and “undo” the baptismal and/or confirmation experience, thus officially pronouncing your disaffiliation and affirming how your worldview is a positive, strong foundation that informs your life, values, and actions.

Some people whose given names are religious may choose to have a secular name change ceremony or naming reveal as part of this affirmation of departure from religion. This can be meaningful whether you are legally changing your name or affirming a new secular nickname.

Celebrant role: write and deliver the ceremony, deliver an invocation or Humanist reading. This ceremony includes a Debaptismal or Deconfirmation Certificate endorsed by BE. Orlando Humanist Fellowship.

Ceremonies aren’t your style? You can make the affirmation remotely and purchase a Debaptismal or Deconfirmation Certificate to be mailed to you.