Frieder Otto Wolf, President of the Humanist Association of Germany, yesterday wrote to the Federal President Joachim Gauck, who was elected by the Federal Assembly last Sunday, to congratulate him on his election.
In his letter, Wolf explained that he was pleased that “a person has succeeded in opening the way to the responsibility of the office who, through his life, is firmly rooted in the contradictory history of our country and is therefore also prepared to stand up for the importance of freedom in responsibility in a clearly visible manner.” In his letter, Frieder Otto Wolf made it clear that he expected “a shaping of official practice that corresponds to the reality in our country”. In doing so, he recalled the growing group of people “who lead a life of freedom and responsibility” without feeling connected to or represented by one of the two traditional Christian denominations. Not only humanists, but all non-denominational, non-religious and people of other faiths “with a non-Christian worldview and culture of life who are willing to contribute to this country by accepting the principles and ideas that shape our Basic Law and the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights” should be recognized and adequately represented by the Federal President, Wolf said. His own religious background should not be made the leitmotif of public representation. Wolf referred to the need for a “performance of office that is characterized by respect for secular principles as well as the principle of equal treatment”. Finally, Frieder Otto Wolf wished Joachim Gauck “much strength and numerous opportunities to find and create motivation and encouragement through his office” for the coming years.
