German Atheists, and those are most
prominent in the former East Germany have a tradition maybe unknown
to other nations. It is called the Youth-Ordination (Jugendweihe)
that has it's roots around 1852, and was funny enough firstly used by
religious freethinkers like Eduard Baltzer.
The Youth-Ordination was
founded to show the expression of an individual youth, in the age of
reason, thus around his 14th year of age, turning back on
churches and religion. The Breslauer daily newspaper used the term
“Confirmation replacement celebration”, as the Protestant church
used and still uses the term confirmation, when a teenager officially
is confirmed to membership, after several months of bible classes.
1918 till 1933, during the Weimarer Republic, Youth-Ordination were
at its most popular, where nearly 95% of the youth were celebrated in
this way.
During the period that East and West
Germany were parted, East Germany took over this tradition, whilst
West Germany had again more religious influence after the war, and
only members who were also Atheists and of political parties like the
SPD (Social Democratic Party), also continued this celebration. The
HVD, the Humanist Organization Germany, was the institution
performing this step.
Former East Germany followed the
Youth-Ordination very seriously, and it took one year for the
teenager to complete it. During this year he or she attended in
classes dealing with company visits to awaken interest in different
jobs, speeches about sexuality and politics, dance classes and casual
afternoon meetings. On the final day sealing the celebration, all
participants would meet up in a hall or theater, large enough to
accommodate all from a certain region. Speeches were held and the
teenager would receive a certificate and flowers.
In Switzerland and Austria, the youths
are already 18 when participating, and it is called a secular
celebration, more focused on introducing the political system and the
culture of the country.
This more than 150 years old tradition
is now being continued under another name, but with the same aims and
goals. Instead of calling it Youth-Ordination it is now called
Youth-Celebration, maybe to neutralize the term more, as former East
Germany was a non-democratic socialist country, allied with former
communist Russia. The preparation time is used nowadays to give
support and help knowing the political culture, humane dealing with
fellow humans and a guideline to creatively deal with problems in
life, developing a self-determined life, without religious
paternalism. The goal is to show and give courage to engage in a life
led by one self.
In contrast to the religious
confirmation or communion, this Atheist guide into adult life, also
includes lectures about religion and their beliefs, and dealings
related to knowledge, tolerance, rights and obligations, conflict
solutions and humanity, Human Rights and Sexuality.
The period has been shortened to 4
months.
This form of celebration, gives Atheism
a face and a belonging, specially welcome and often needed and
requested by the youth. The community churches give to their youth
had of course the simple idea of having fun with fellow believers and
the sense of belonging, yet blending out the big life-lie presented
and forced into the brain of the vulnerable youth.
The Youth-Celebration also offers this
community, but in remains human and natural, without discrimination
towards minorities and women, still educating about the different
religions, and leaving the teenager free in his or her mind.
By Thomas Fleckner
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