Think Tank for Humanism and Enlightenment

The Giordano Bruno Stiftung (gbs) is a think tank for humanism and enlightenment that has been joined by many renowned scientists, philosophers and artists. The foundation is currently backed by more than 10,000 supporting members and 50 regional and university groups.

The foundation's goal is to develop a viable humanistic, rational and evidence-based alternative to the traditional religions and to help it become established in society. This objective is based on the insight that we cannot face the complex challenges of the 21st century using the religious paradigms of the past.

Instead, we need a contemporary view of the world that is in harmony with the results of scientific research and which is ethically and politically consistently oriented towards the individual's right to self-determination (as expressed in the "Universal Declaration of Human Rights") as well as towards the principles of an "open society".

The Giordano Bruno Stiftung adheres to the guiding principle of evolutionary humanism. A clear and concise summary of the central positions of the gbs can be found in the brochure "Enlightenment in the 21st Century" and in the "Manifesto of Evolutionary Humanism", which was written in 2005 by Michael Schmidt-Salomon on behalf of the foundation.

The history of the Giordano Bruno Stiftung is summarized in the Chronology of Main Events. See also the documentary "In Humanity We Trust", produced by Ricarda Hinz for the 10th anniversary of the gbs.

» Anyone capable of splitting the atom and communicating via satellites must have the necessary intellectual and emotional maturity to do so. One of the ways this maturity manifests is through the ability to let false ideas die, before people die for false ideas. «

(Manifesto of Evolutionary Humanism)

Latest news

Whose State is This?

Discussion on the "Church Republic of Germany" and presentation of the "Secular Bus Campaign 2019" on April 6 in Berlin.

2019/03/07

"Whose city is this?" is the motto of this year's Berlin Foundation Week - "Whose state is this?" asks a high-profile panel on April 6 in the Meistersaal at Potsdamer Platz. The participants agree on the decisive point: 100 years after the adoption of the Weimar Constitution and 70 years after the implementation of the Basic Law there must be a stop to the unconstitutional church privileges as well as a stop to the religious restriction of civil liberties from the cradle to the grave.

Relax! A Philosophy of Serenity

Official presentation of the new book by Michael Schmidt-Salomon on March 10 at Haus Weitblick (ATTENTION: event is fully booked!)

2019/02/19

"A wisdom book for the 21st century - original, positive, and pleasantly unagitated" - With these words Piper Verlag announces the new book "Entspannt euch!" ("Relax!") by Michael Schmidt-Salomon, which the author will present to the public for the first time on March 10. Admission to the event in the "Haus Weitblick" (headquarters of the Giordano Bruno Stiftung in Oberwesel) is free, prior registration is urgently required.

After 100 Years: Stop State Payments to the Churches – Now!

Alliance "BAStA" calls on politicians to take action

2019/02/18

More than half a billion euros of state payments per year are currently transferred by the federal states of Germany to the churches - in addition to all the money with which the state finances church social institutions. 100 years ago, the abolition of these state benefits was laid down in the Weimar Constitution. Yet despite the fact that this demand for abolition was reiterated in 1949 in the Basic Law, the money still goes to the Protestant and Catholic Church today. And despite massively shrinking membership numbers of the churches, the sum increases annually.

A Transparent Tactical Maneuver

Commentary on the proposed reform of § 219a StGB

2019/01/29

The media praised yesterday's draft bill to reform the controversial § 219a StGB as a success. In fact, however, it is a transparent tactical maneuver to defuse the street protests and preserve the outdated German legislation on abortion, which stands in diametrical opposition to the constitutional requirement of worldview neutrality. A commentary by Michael Schmidt-Salomon.

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