Freidenker-Vereinigung der Schweiz

Founded in 1908, Freidenker-Vereinigung der Schweiz is a non-profit association based in Bern, Switzerland working on democracy & civil society, religion & faith, human rights.

The Freidenker-Vereinigung der Schweiz (FVS), also known as Freidenkende Schweiz, is a national association based in Bern that advocates for the rights and interests of non-religious and non-denominational people in Switzerland. It campaigns for a clear separation of state and churches, a secular and humanist ethics based on human rights, and a worldview grounded in scientific reasoning. Its activities include political advocacy on issues such as church tax, blasphemy law, the neutrality of state employees, religious chaplaincy and religious education, as well as public events, lectures and debates. The association is organised into around ten or thirteen regional sections and groups, and publishes the magazine frei denken in German, French and Italian. It runs the Camp Quest summer camp for children and the Denkfest knowledge festival. Its funding comes from membership fees, donations and legacies, and donations to its Bern account are tax-exempt in the canton of Bern.