A New Start for IHEU!

By Levi Fragell

The first thing I did after becoming President of the Norwegian Humanist Association in 1976, was to take the train to the Netherlands – to learn more about Humanism. Norway at that time had but a small Humanist organization, and I felt that we should learn from our more mature friends how to grow and develop. I learnt a lot. But the Netherlands was just one stop on a long journey into the world of Humanism. Knowing that we had a world movement out there gave me courage and faith. I learnt from the Germans, the Belgians, the British, the Americans... Back in Norway we successfully implemented the good things we learnt from other members of the International Humanist and Ethical Union. But more importantly, we learnt what we should not do.

What should we not do? First and foremost, we should not fight over unimportant philosophical matters. Secondly, we should not use time and energy to argue or compete with other groups within the freethought movement.

What should we do? Fight the real enemy. Most people with red blood in their veins love a good fight, an activating controversy. Being good, kind and friendly, which we all should be, is a bit boring as the only agenda for an organization. That goes for some Humanist groups as well. They are nice, cooperative and tolerant – so tolerant that attacking other peoples’ beliefs or behaviour for many of our colleagues has become the capital sin of Humanism – independent of what the other side says, thinks or does.

Humanism is not about being human, just as feminism is not about being feminine, or socialism about being social. Humanism is about fighting irrationalism, supernaturalism, theocracy, dictatorship, sexual suppression and abuse, limitation of freedom, discrimination based on race, gender, or conviction. Here we find the real enemies of Humanism.

If any of those violations of Humanist values are fostered or promoted by a church, mosque, synagogue or political party – we should oppose that church, mosque, synagogue or political party!

As one of the leaders of IHEU for two decades – and President for the past 5 years – growth and development had become for me an increasing concern, as I observed misguided tolerance and cultural relativism attacking the backbones of many of our groups, inspired as they were for a period by postmodernism and even by New Age mysticism. Had we become so laid back that we were almost lying down? But over the past few years my optimism has been restored. Why? How? My work for IHEU has brought me to areas outside the industrialized world, to Asia and Africa (though, regrettably, not to South America). I have met people with friends in prison because of their Humanism; groups who combat

religious cheaters and faith healers; doctors who conduct illegal family planning; and writers who risk their life for the freedom of expression. I have realized that Humanism is the only organized lifestance in the world that can contribute to the liberation of individuals and societies in these cultures. It has been a privilege for me to cooperate with an executive committee and a director who have shared these visions. Our common concern has been: how shall we get our member groups to understand the fantastic potential for Humanism on continents where significant and growing minorities are just beginning to move away from traditionalism and dogmatic religion? They need our moral support (spend your next vacation in Uganda or Pakistan!), they need monetary support (have you joined the 100 Club yet?), and they need a strong headquarters in London that can provide competent assistance, magazines, books, and information via the Web (does your group pay a decent annual fee to IHEU?).

As I will step down as IHEU President at the Washington General Assembly in May to concentrate on Norwegian Humanism, my appeal to delegates, members, and groups is this: let us not only give IHEU a new president, let us give it a new start!

Levi Fragell became President of IHEU in 1998 during a turbulent time and steered IHEU into calm waters and into achieving steady progress. During the five years of his leadership IHEU organized two World Congresses (in India and in the Netherlands) and several international conferences, achieved a higher profile in the media as a campaigning organization, and created a closer international network of Humanist organizations. Levi Fragell is a strong advocate of a common Humanist identity for the movement.