A curious beginning
Hello, everyone! My name is Monica, and I’d like to share my journey with you. I grew up in southern Romania, a place where faith and tradition are a big part of everyday life. Imagine Sunday mornings filled with church bells and stories from the Bible. Imagine traditions ruling every decision in life. That was my world. But even as a child, I couldn’t help but wonder about the world beyond those stories.
I was that curious kid who always asked, ”But why?”. My parents and grandparents and teachers would often smile and say, ”Because that’s how it is, that’s how it’s always been done”. But that wasn’t enough for me. I wanted to understand the ”how” and the ”why” behind everything. This curiosity led me to our town library, where I spent hours exploring books on science, history, and philosophy. Those books opened up new worlds for me and sparked a lifelong love for learning.
Questioning the norms
In my early twenties, while I was a young student, I started to question the religious beliefs I had grown up with. And it had a lot to do with meeting people from various cultures, religions and walks of life. It was an enlightening time and after some deep emotional digging, I ended up declaring myself an atheist and a humanist. In the deeply orthodox religious society I lived in, that felt like stepping into a storm. My family was confused, my friends were skeptical, and I often felt like I didn’t belong. There were arguments and moments of doubt, but I knew I had to follow my own path.
I remember a particularly heated argument with a family member who told me, ”You’ll regret this. Faith is what keeps us together”. It was a tough moment, but it also made me more determined to find my own truth.
It took us a lot of conversations, but over time something wonderful happened — my family began to understand and accept my choices. Their support meant the world to me and made the journey less lonely.
Finding my tribe
Despite the challenges, I stayed true to myself. In 2010, I joined the Romanian Secular-Humanist Association, and it felt like finding my tribe. We were a small but passionate group, and Margaret Mead’s words became our mantra: ”Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has”. This quote wasn’t just inspirational—it was a call to action that fueled our every project and meeting.
The humanist community became my safe haven. I found mentors who guided me, peers who supported me, and a shared vision that kept us going. We worked on projects to promote critical thinking and human rights, often facing resistance but never backing down. One of our memorable projects was the Science Calendar, which highlighted scientific achievements and promoted education. Seeing children and teachers embrace it was a triumph and a reminder of why we do what we do.
Some years later I was appointed as the Executive Director of ASUR and that was a defining moment. It was a recognition of our hard work and a chance to push further. We continued to expand our reach, engaging with international platforms, and continuing to advocate for human rights and secular education. And moreover I got the chance to represent Romanian humanists at high-level meetings, which in itself was both an honor and a testament to our progress.
Love and shared values
In this journey, while being a student and discovering my way, I also found love. I met a fellow humanist who shared my passion for change. A few years later, we got married and we had the first humanist wedding ceremony in Romania, a beautiful celebration of our values and our love. And now, more than a decade later, we have a lovely family and we both celebrate humanist weddings for others, spreading the joy and values we hold dear.
Lessons from the journey
I recently turned 40 years old and, looking back, I can say that this journey has been an incredible education. I’ve learned about resilience, the power of community, and the importance of ethical leadership. The challenges we faced reinforced my belief in standing by one’s convictions and the transformative power of collective action. Transparency, accountability, and a relentless pursuit of truth have been my guiding principles.
A note of inspiration
I hope my story encourages you to always ask questions and seek your own truth. It’s okay to challenge the status quo and pursue your dreams with passion. Everyone’s path is different, and that’s what makes each journey unique and valuable. I hope my experiences can help at least one person to feel empowered to explore and embrace their own beliefs, to overcome whatever challenges come their way.
Let’s continue to dream, dance, and work towards a future where reason, compassion, and humanity guide us. After all, it only takes a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens to change the world for the better.
Monica Belițoiu from Romania
