“One of the most beautiful tasks in the world”

Humanism is a common cause. Frieder Otto Wolf, President of the Humanist Association of Germany, reminded us of this on Thursday evening in Berlin. “Working to ensure that people with a desire for a better world can meet in person is an elementary part of humanist practice,” Wolf emphasized. The occasion is the international humanist holiday on June 21 each year, as proclaimed in 1986 as World Humanist Day by the International Humanist and Ethical Union. It goes back to a long tradition of organizations of non-religious people in the United States and is linked to the astronomical event of the summer solstice. As a holiday, it is intended to raise awareness of the importance of humanist ideas and beliefs. “The experience of shared convictions made possible through encounters creates the best basis for making sustainable change in the spirit of humanist concerns a reality,” Wolf continued. He expressed his regret that many people today live out their striving for the humanization of social conditions so strongly in virtual spaces. “I am concerned that new parallel worlds have emerged here, in which the illusion thrives that overcoming real crises is not dependent on planned cooperation in reality.” Wolf went on to say that the work of all those people who are committed to humanism should be recognized on this day. “Commitment to reason-based, rational and skeptical thinking, compassion towards all sentient beings, the commitment to self-determination, solidarity and freedom of conscience, the defense of humane minimums, pluralism and democratic principles – the best humanist traditions are brought together here,” he recalled. “Working within this framework is one of the most beautiful tasks for us. The fact that we are not alone in this gives us good reason to hope.” Wolf expressed his gratitude for the many efforts of the people who are committed to the common cause and he also called on people not to blame themselves for the failings of those who are not interested in humanizing conditions when looking at the balance sheet of their personal endeavours: “Rather, it should raise awareness of the great value of our joint efforts and reinforce the importance of cooperation.” He also spoke out against evaluating positions on moral and political issues primarily on the basis of their temporary media success. “Humanism proves its sustainability in retrospect, not through initial euphoria. Truth is not something that should be subject to the standards of economic thinking.” Finally, Frieder Otto Wolf emphasized that creating spaces for a more fundamental renewal of human conditions remains an extremely important task in view of the profound crises. “A culture of invitation and encounter helps to find common convictions and perspectives and to develop a practical commitment on this basis. This is and remains one of the most beautiful tasks in the world.”