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Unfortunately, Corona has further intensified the polarization of society. The moral devaluation of those who think differently and ruthless malice have become an epidemic, also outside of politics. “Hell, those are the others,” says an article by Jean-Paul Sartre from 1944. It describes an extreme situation of confinement. Three (not) dead are forever locked in one room: hell. (Twitter wasn’t invented at the time, that would be purgatory in this sense.) And what about the Christian Christmas message now? It transmits hope: for peace, redemption, reconciliation. A child is born, symbol of a new beginning. It is good that we can feel part of this Christian symbolism, even if we are increasingly skeptical about religions and prefer to pay tribute to individualism and, yes, doubt also. It’s okay. Doubt means progress. A good number of scientists of earlier times who did not submit to the flow of opinions of their time even had to pay with their lives for their doubts. In the end, however, the doubt also cleared the Christian churches. Some archaic religious interpretations that are even spreading in Europe still have this road ahead. It is a pity that the missionary and intolerant religions apparently have more credibility with their followers than the highest custodians of the church with us. Despite a great search for meaning, they have lost access to many citizens.
But man is not just a rational being. You also need to believe in something bigger, closeness, community. With all the doubts, all the arguments: Let’s listen to each other again, meet at eye level, and don’t demote others to worse people. Especially in a health crisis, tolerance, consideration and solidarity are even more important than usual.
