We choose to call ourselves various things according to our beliefs, and we are, without-our-say-so, called things by others who want to pigeonhole us. Calling someone what they want to be called is the most courteous way to interact, but those who want to diminish the agency of others will try to make the labels they apply to others negative, memorable, and sticky (as in, hard to shake). It makes it much easier to lead the rest who haven't thought it out for themselves. Jingoistic approaches to smearing the ideas of others is de rigurer for conservative zealots and those who can't win an argument on its merits. Best to not discuss the facts or issues at all, just smear your opponents.

Secular humanism isn't an opposite to religion. These aren't simple binaries to be set out for an up or down vote (as the Bush administration is so fond of calling for). Secular humanism says you can have your religion and a civil society, too, as long as you don't mix them together.

Rather than set a noose in the trail for someone to trip on, just tell us what you choose to call yourself.

SRS