Secular Verses & Humanism

Secular Verses, now available to buy on Amazon, is a collection of poetry exploring my experiences as a secularist, atheist and humanist. With poems ranging from the thoughtful and lyrical to the comic and polemic, there's something to inspire every reader's interest and imagination.

What’s a Humanist?

 

They trust in methodologies objective and specific

They describe observed phenomena in a manner scientific

They reject all explanations couched in ghosts or ghouls or spirits

They circumscribe their arguments with naturalistic limits

They ask to see the evidence before they reach conclusions

They prefer to confess ignorance than make up false solutions

They try to meet all human beings with kindness and compassion

And to treat all other animals in corresponding fashion

They’ve no evidence of afterlife, so reasonably deduce

That this is the one life that we have of any earthly use

They put aside the magical claims of many an ancient text

And instead use moral judgement to decide what to do next.

So, in answer to your question, having thought the whole thing through

I’d say it sounds a lot like me. Would you say it’s like you?

It was an honour  to meet one of my LGBT Humanist heroes, Peter Tatchell, at the launch of the LGBT Humanists 45th Anniversary Celebrations (Summer 2024). We're both featured in their Archive project, which you can view here!

With my Humanist Heroes Professor A.C. Grayling and Professor Daniel Dennett in 2018

Marching at London Pride July 2024

The Garden of Eden

The Happy Humanist

If you're looking for a Humanist representative to talk to your group or society, take part in a debate, Q&A or interfaith discussion, please feel free to get in touch. I regularly host poetry evenings, readings from my collection, workshops and open mic sessions in which everyone has the chance to share their own favourite and original poems.

"A beautiful collection that captures the humanist experience with honesty and empathy and a tribute to the power of poetry to enrich the secular experience."

-Andrew Copson, Chief Executive, Humanists UK (2025)

Funny, incisive and informative: read these poems from Alex Williams who is a wonderful wordsmith and laugh, cry and begin to think about the world in a fresh way. Alex has a tremendous way of observing the world and people and quietly but persuasively presenting a humanist worldview that made me smile and feel more confident in my own humanism. I love returning to the poems time and again and highly recommend Secular Verses.

-Nick Baldwin, Coordinator of LGBT Humanists (2025)

In his brilliant collection, Secular Verses, Alex explores the variety and nuance of the humanist experience, with wit and insight, boldness and subtlety but always with warmth and compassion.

-Mark Agathangelou, Treasurer, Central London Humanists (2025)

"Our headliner, the ever popular Alexander Williams, introduced himself by tying together all the evening’s themes with his usual insight, wit and compassion before treating us to a selection of his wonderful ‘Secular Verses’. There were high expectations and they were not disappointed; he dazzled us with a charismatic and energetic performance of verse, vividly bringing to life what it means to be a humanist, particularly celebrating Black humanism."

-Central London Humanists/ Association of Black Humanists joint event to celebrate Black History Month (October 2023)

“I go to bed with Alexander Williams every night – in a poetic sense.  Reading a poem from his book is the perfect end to a day gently reaffirming that life is for living and that we should focus on caring for others through rational thought based on the evidence before us.”

-Robert Hall, Central London Humanists (2023)

"Alex gave an absolutely stunning performance at one of our recent events, regaling us with a selection of brilliant poems from his Secular Verses collection. He adapted seamlessly to the theme of our event, weaving stories from his own humanist journey in amongst the poetic recitations, beautifully illustrating the emerging themes. Our audience could not have been more impressed, numerous people came up to tell me how much they had enjoyed Alex’s performance."

-Mark Agathangelou, Treasurer and Events organiser, Central London Humanists (2023)

"What a magnificent evening we all enjoyed at Conway Hall last week! Thank you so much for joining us and sharing your inspiring poetry with us. We also greatly appreciated how you facilitated the open mic part of the evening with your warmth, affirming comments and all round buzzing personal leadership; thank you."

-Nick Baldwin, LGBT Humanists Coordinator (2023)

"Thank you Alex for such a wonderful evening of poetry! We have already had a couple of members message us to say what a lovely event it was, and we are so pleased with how it went!"

-Steve Ashley, Treasurer, Gloucestershire Humanists (2022)

"Thank you SO much for a wonderful evening. I've had really positive feedback from our members, they really enjoyed the event and took a lot away from the evening. We really appreciate it!"

-Kat Reynolds, Chair, Brighton Humanists (2022)

"Thank you so much for a lovely event! We were really delighted by the evening which was full of warmth and love. Poetry just comes alive when read by the poet themselves - when I read your poems now I will be able to hear your voice in my head as I read them which will add so much more to my appreciation of them. You really should have a regular slot at every HUK Convention in my view!"

- Anthony Lewis, Chair, Windsor Humanists (2022)

"The poetry night that Alex hosted for us was such a beautiful and inspirational experience. He went above and beyond to make everyone feel welcomed. Participants were delighted with the poems he read from his book Secular Verses during the first half of the event. And, after the reading, we had an open mic where Alex did a great job at keeping the attendees engaged and entertained. We're happy to recommend Alex without reservations!"

- JC Candanedo, Committee Member Central London Humanists (2022)

"Thanks so much Alex for a really lovely evening of poetry! The format whereby we enjoyed hearing you read some of your own poems, and then everyone had the opportunity to chip in with poetry they liked or had written, worked extremely well. I don't think we had any idea there was so much talent in the group. I'd certainly recommend it to other local humanist groups and branches."

-Jeremy Rodell, Chair, SW London Humanists (2022)

“Alexander Williams… has contributed to a very small and select range of Humanist poetry. He is thoughtful, perceptive, reflective and occasionally pointed, and he expresses so well the essential Humanist worldview. This is a beautiful and inspiring book, and a must addition to any well-balanced collection – Humanist or not.”

 

- David Brittain – Executive Editor, Humanistically Speaking Magazine

 

“Secular Verses takes a variety of familiar atheistic themes and transforms them into a lively and enjoyable new idiom. A welcome new addition to the slender library of humanist verse.” 

 

- David Warden, Chairman of Dorset Humanists and an Honorary Member of Humanists UK

Hosting Central London Humanist's midwinter celebration 'What Humanism Means to Me' (December 2024)

 

Contributing to Watford Celebration's Sacred Space Interfaith Discussion (May 2020)

Contributing to Watford Celebration's Sacred Space Interfaith Discussion (May 2021)