Many people assume that without religion, life lacks purpose. This belief is deeply ingrained in our culture, making it difficult for those of us who don’t subscribe to faith-based ideologies to answer the question: Why are we here? But the truth is, meaning isn’t something handed to us from above—it’s something we create for ourselves.

At the heart of the divide between secular humanism and religious humanism is the question:
Why do people choose to be good?

For religious believers, morality is often tied to divine reward and punishment—heaven for the righteous, hell for the wicked. Even when good deeds are done sincerely, they often come with an external incentive.

“If you don’t believe in God, what’s stopping you from doing whatever you want?”

I remember the first time I was asked this question.

It wasn’t meant as an attack—it was genuine curiosity.

And honestly?

I still don’t have all the answers. And that’s okay.

Because I’ve learned that belief isn’t about certainty—it’s about curiosity.

The American Dream should not be reserved only for those with European heritage or inherited privilege. It should be available to all who seek to build a better life—just as it was for Romana Acosta Bañuelos, Elon Musk, and countless others who dared to dream.

America has thrived because of its diversity, its openness, and its willingness to welcome dreamers and doers. If we want to remain a global leader, we need to fix our broken immigration system—not build higher walls, but build better bridges.

For those who claim America is a “Christian nation,” here’s a hard question:

If Jesus walked among us today, would he be building walls or feeding the hungry?

This isn’t about punishing success—it’s about rethinking the role of wealth in society. The ultra-wealthy don’t create value simply by existing. Their fortunes don’t trickle down. Their unchecked accumulation of resources leaves billions struggling.

Humanism teaches that our legacy is measured not by how much we hoard, but by how much we help.