The twofold insight that life is more than humanism, and humanism is more than the Humanist Association, is also proving its worth in the young year ahead.
Because a world view – no matter how enlightened it may be – can only provide benchmarks for shaping life, but cannot reinvent life. This also applies to humanism. And an organization can only bundle interests and connect people, but not be the sole guarantor of its standards. This also applies to the HVD.
So much for the admonition of realism and modesty. But with all this, there remains an unfinished business, an unavoidable task: to sound out the limits that are set for us as humanists; to use the opportunities that secular society offers us; and to exercise the influence that the better argument gives us. All too often, humanism – especially organized humanism – still falls short of its potential. There is no really good reason for this.
There is no reason to remain silent in shame when others confess their faith. There is no reason to hide when others invoke their millennia-old traditions. And there is no reason to stand on the sidelines when others use their rights.
We also demand our rights. This requires targeted work, within our own association, in the midst of society and in politics. Because a good world view deserves a good organization. And more than that: only by working towards the goal of equal treatment can we ensure that our values become effective in the education system, in child education, in the media and in social work. Anyone who blocks this is making a historic mistake.
The foundations of secular humanism are strong and sustainable. Reliable and verifiable knowledge about the world, a sense for the freedom of the individual as well as for the foundations of life for all, reason and feeling with measure and purpose, human rights as a guiding principle, enlightenment without bias, orientation without bigotry.
We represent the fundamental values of the present. A humanistic attitude to life grasps the achievements of culture as a human work with a claim to happiness and not as a fairytale world with promises of salvation. Taking this view with determination, with an open mind and a friendly eye, helps us and others to move forward.
And isn’t it fun to be ahead in the race of ideas? Fresh up, forge ahead with cheerful courage and an alert mind!
