If you’ve joined as a “follower” of this blog later than 2013, you may not know why I write these essays (“posts” in blog lingo), now numbering almost 150. (If that’s of interest, take a look at “Getting started,” Apr. 27, 2013; “Rules of engagement,” Apr. 28, 2013; and “Conversation, not conversion,” Jul. 6, 2013.) They concern a few historical and political issues, but mostly religious belief and disbelief, the continual church/state tussle, religious freedom, personal liberty, death, sex, and morality without god(s). Although, a number of recent posts have concerned President Trump’s threat to the American system, the theme of this blog is not intended to be political.

I’m an atheist and, actually more important, I’m a secular humanist. The word atheist is used in confusing ways, so let me explain that for me it very simply means a–theist, that is, “having no belief in a theist god.” That is different from a claim that there is no god (though it’s my opinion that there isn’t). To claim there’s a god or to claim there isn’t requires evidence. Neither atheists nor theists have such evidence, though many religious people like to pretend they do. Anyway, since I have no faith that ancient deities tell us what is right and wrong, I think we are obligated to do that ourselves. The result is secular humanism, a system of ethics/morality created by and for humans rather than ascribed to unseen spirits. In a few of these posts, I argue that rules of morality produced by human reason are more moral than those believed to be from god(s).

The posts you’ll find here can be read in any order. As more are added (sporadically—after all, I am retired), you will be automatically notified by email if you have signed up as a follower. New posts are added about every week or few weeks. At any time, of course, you can peruse previous posts by going to johnjustthinking.com (no www needed). Each post accepts brief comments, whether in agreement with me or not.

I welcome you and hope the thoughts I share contribute to your consideration of this awesome cosmos, the morality required to live together on this planet, and the invigorating questions this overwhelming universe presents us.