Easter bunnies, colorful eggs and family celebrations. Almost all the customs of the last few days make it clear: we long for spring because we have been enjoying it since time immemorial when nature awakens from its winter slumber. Pre-Christian traditions mix wildly with Christian and secular ones. But one symbolism is always present: new beginnings and hope. Whether as a celebration of resurrection, the rebirth of nature or a symbol of fertility.
Especially at this time of year, we draw strength from the fact that, despite all the bad news, we humans are capable of creating a better world together. And whether we take part in peace marches, show civil courage against xenophobia or simply take care of our fellow human beings in everyday life, we can make a difference.
We should always be guided by mutual tolerance. After all, everyone has their own characteristics and needs. If, for example, a tradition of the majority society restricts the self-determination of individual people without necessity when it comes to the ban on dancing on Good Friday, this leads to social discord and a lack of understanding. In the Age of Enlightenment, it was said that “the freedom of one person ends where the freedom of another begins”. In this case, the modern saying is: “I’ll let you pray, you let me dance”.
We humanists belong to the third of the population who do not believe in any god and do not live our lives according to the commandments or prohibitions of holy scripture. Nevertheless, or precisely because of this, we believe that we humans should strive to live together peacefully in this unique world. Self-determined in responsibility for others. Tolerant, but open to our own values. Only when we accept people’s differences can we begin to see the similarities that unite us beyond any religion or world view.
The article first appeared as a guest commentary in the Mindener Tageblatt.
