Atheism is often defined as the lack of belief in a god or gods. However, there are many words that are synonyms for atheism or describe similar beliefs. For example, secularism is the belief that government and society should be separate from religious influence. Humanism emphasizes the importance of human reason, ethics, and empathy over supernatural beliefs. Freethinking is the idea that individuals should form their own opinions based on reason and evidence, rather than relying on tradition or authority. Agnosticism is the belief that it is impossible to know whether a god or gods exist. Whatever word one chooses to use, it is important to recognize that each individual's beliefs are unique and personal.