What do non-believers believe in? By Juan Carlos Bajanda Benitez. This title was used to publish an exchange of letters between Umberto Eco and Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini several years ago. Whenever someone says they don't believe in deities, the inevitable question is: what do they believe in then? What is their moral compass? What stops them from committing crimes or misdeeds if they don't believe in a higher power? In my personal case, and without intending any resemblance to eco, I wish, what I believe in is humanism, but not the humanism that they preach in the government, which is more similar to populism or even conservatism, but a version more attached to reason. As a member of the American Humanist Society for several years now, this is what I believe. Humanism is a progressive philosophy that affirms our ability and responsibility to lead an ethical life free from superstition and supernatural beliefs, and that aspires to human greatness. It is inspired by reason and compassion and informed by experience. In which knowledge of the world is derived from observation, experimentation, and rational analysis. In that humans are an integral part of nature, the result of evolutionary changes without a guided purpose. In ethical values derived from human needs and interests tested through experiences over time. The fullness of life arises from individual participation in the service of human ideals. Humans are social beings by nature and find meaning in these mutual relationships with our fellow human beings. I believe that working for the benefit of society maximizes individual happiness. I believe in the separation of government and religion, in social justice, in scientific integrity, in the promotion of peace, and in the pursuit of knowledge through reason. We humanists also have Ten Commandments, which in our case are more like commitments: empathy, critical thinking, ethical development, peace and social justice, service and participation, altruism, modesty, environmentalism, global awareness, responsibility. All the good deeds expected of a human being are included in these ten commitments without the need for belief in deities. These are our guide on how to live, how to treat others, and how to govern. Why is this important today? In an increasingly pluralistic and globalized world, secular humanism can provide a framework for people with different and sometimes opposing backgrounds to cooperate more easily. By focusing on shared human values such as compassion, justice, and sustainability, rather than theological doctrines, the aim is to build a society where the well being of the planet's inhabitants is the priority. So if you feel that you identify with these values and beliefs, then you can safely say that you are a humanist. And as Groucho Marx said these are my values, if you don't like them, I have others.