Why I Am a Member of the Freethinkers and trained as a Ritual Facilitator

I was born in the former GDR and moved to West Germany before the fall of the Berlin Wall. I was likely strongly influenced by my atheist parents while also developing a sensitivity to humanist issues. To me, freethinking means approaching people and life without religious dogma, without prejudice, and with a great deal of openness and tolerance. At the same time, scientific reasoning is very important to me.

The Freethinkers appealed to me both intellectually and personally. On one hand, I find the topics they advocate fascinating, and on the other, I believe everyone seeks an ideological home. The values that are most important to me include a worldview based on science and an ethic free from dogma. I stand for the separation of church and state, the freedom of belief and expression, and the equal treatment of all ideological groups, ensuring their independence from government influence.

When I read about the Freethinkers' training program for ritual facilitators in one of their magazines, I immediately knew it was the right path for me. I wanted training that was free from religion and dogma. My own civil wedding was unfortunately very dry and impersonal. Had I known at the time that it was possible to have a free wedding ceremony, I would have chosen that option. Similarly, when my daughter was born, people asked whether we would baptize her. That was out of the question for me, but it felt sad that there was no ceremony to celebrate her arrival. Had I known about secular welcome ceremonies back then, I would have embraced one.

The term "ritual" often sounds mystical, as if it involves burning sage and dancing naked in the moonlight. However, rituals are a natural part of our daily lives and can be deeply meaningful without being religious. From brewing the first espresso in the morning to cooking together or taking the dog for a walk after work—rituals provide stability and structure in life. They shouldn't be rigid, but they create moments of connection and mindfulness.

More and more people in Switzerland are non-religious. Many choose only a civil wedding ceremony and later feel disappointed because it lacks the celebratory atmosphere they had envisioned. The same applies to farewells: a funeral that offers genuine words of comfort rather than promises of an afterlife can be far more meaningful than a standardized religious service.

As a ritual facilitator, I work in a fully personalized way. I follow no dogma, and my ceremonies are uniquely tailored to the individuals involved. Each speech, each ceremony is one of a kind. There is no rigid framework—the wishes of those for whom I create the ceremony take center stage. I listen, understand what is important to them, and help shape their vision. Sometimes, this means stepping back and truly hearing what people want, rather than imposing personal ideas of what a ceremony "should" be.

Through my professional experience, I have often spoken in front of audiences of over 100 people. I discovered that I do not suffer from stage fright but rather enjoy using speeches as a way to connect with people—moving them emotionally, making them smile, and encouraging reflection.

Secular ceremonies can be just as profound and meaningful as religious ones—sometimes even more so. A heartfelt wedding vow, a eulogy that truly comforts, or a welcoming ceremony for a newborn—these moments hold great significance. Religion is not necessary to create meaningful rituals. That is why I encourage people: Dare to take your own path! Put your own needs and desires at the forefront—you will be amazed at the possibilities that unfold.