Values

Introduction

  • Purpose: Presentation of the fundamental values of the Atheist Religious Society.

Values in General

  • Human Origin: Values are, in a sense, created through human thought and action; they do not originate from divine sources.
  • Individual and Collective: Individual values influence collective values and are often shaped by them (canon of values).
  • Consensus and Guidance: We aim to formulate the values of the Atheist Religious Society as points of consensus and guidance for atheists.

Religion and Worldview

  • Lived Philosophy: Religion as a cultural space where existential questions can be asked and attempts at answers can be developed. Religion is, in a way, also a “lived philosophy,” a search for knowledge and its realization in life.
  • Religious Care: Good religious care is practiced responsibly and provides effective support, particularly with regard to narratives and beliefs.
  • Humanism: We humans are an important part of the world (for ourselves) and are co-responsible for the construction of meaning in the world.
  • Culture: Humans organize themselves into communities, sharing and transmitting, for example, skills, knowledge, and constructions of meaning.

Responsibility

  • Human Constructions: Gods are cultural products, typically created by humans; whether non-human animals also have conceptions of gods is an interesting empirical question. We humans bear responsibility for our actions and inactions. Religion, in particular, carries with it a very high level of responsibility.
  • Error Culture: Humans are fallible, and thus, a sensible approach to mistakes and learning from them (both our own and those of others) is crucial.

Politics

  • Human-Made Laws: Both “divine” and secular laws are created by humans.
  • Democracy: A constitutional democracy guarantees rights and freedoms for each individual and for society as a whole, in the interest of the common good.
  • Participation and Responsibility: Democracy requires the active participation of citizens, who must take responsibility for their actions. Erich Kästner once said something crucial to our coexistence: “There is nothing good unless you do it.” From this follows a responsibility for the preservation of democracy.

Selected Positions

  • Autonomy and Violence: All forms of violence limit human autonomy, with self-defense and emergency assistance as exceptions.
  • Rejection of the Death Penalty and Torture: An unequivocal and absolute “no” to the death penalty and torture, for various compelling reasons. The death penalty and torture are unjustifiable and lead to the brutalization of society.
  • Family Planning and Abortion: Responsibility and autonomy also mean freedom in family planning, including making responsible decisions on the matter of abortion.
  • Aid in Dying: Every person has the right to self-determination over their own life, and a nuanced view of individual life circumstances is important in this context.

Conclusion

Our Goal: To contribute to a good life for all people.

Further Information: Additional insights into our values are available on our website (concept, statutes, FAQs, worldview contributions).

This overview presents only a few essential points for now and will be expanded over time.

Further Link:

Ethics Dialogue Forum (German): Since 2015, we have participated in the Ethics Dialogue Forum of the World Ethos Initiative Austria (Initiative Weltethos Österreich, IWEO).

Updated on 22 September 2024.

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