Democracy in focus: Hope through conversation and understanding in Homberg!

Democracy in focus: Hope through conversation and understanding in Homberg!

On December 6, 2025, the city of Homberg experienced a very special evening at this year's Advent reception of the Protestant Church. Under the title“Strengthening democracy – talking to those who despise democracy”invited the community to an insightful lecture by Frank Richter. The experienced speaker gave exciting insights into the current challenges for democracy and the role that each individual plays in this process. How ekkw.de reports, Richter shared his thoughts on classifying attitudes toward democracy on a scale ranging from “internalization of democracy” to “destruction of democracy.”

“The absolute rejection of democracy is represented by a small but vocal minority,” said Richter. This insight makes it clear that the foundation of our democracy should not only be discussed in an interesting way, but must also be actively defended. Those who are convinced and enthusiastic about democracy rarely express themselves, which is not conducive to social discourse. Richter appealed to the audience to think and speak in a differentiated manner in order to internalize and protect the value of democracy.

The ethics of listening

When we look at the ethical aspects of listening, it becomes clear how important it is to hear everyone's voices. This is particularly highlighted in an article dealing with the ethics of listening that was presented at a conference at the Free University of Berlin. It is emphasized here that listening is a moral act and is an essential part of interpersonal communication academia.edu formulated.

In a world where the political climate is characterized by polarized opinions, it is crucial that we pay particular attention to changing social trends and their ethical dimensions. Listening to witnesses and being open to their stories can act as sources of moral recognition. This applies not only to political opportunities, but also extends to personal and public aspects of life.

The path to strengthening democracy

Richter's warnings about the misuse of propaganda by anti-democratic parties show the urgency of actively dealing with the content and its people. There is a criticism of the traditional attention given to these people: it is important to give those who despise democracy only the necessary attention, without allowing themselves to be influenced by their agenda.

The church plays an important role in this. It should position itself publicly on key issues such as human dignity, justice and the protection of the weak and minorities. Looking at these aspects raises both awareness and commitment to a democratic society based on values ​​such as freedom and solidarity.

Overall, it is clear: a vibrant democracy depends on people who actively support these principles. A lively exchange in all areas of society is essential in order to effectively address the challenges we face. The Advent reception in Homberg once again demonstrated that it is worth giving democracy a voice and holding on to its continued existence.