1 - 2004
Religious diversity in Germany
Editorial
In your hands you are holding the last edition of the Ecumenical Dialogue. Its label will change but not the aim to debate about religious, social and cultural issues in Germany and to share it with an interested ecumenical readership worldwide: From now on the Ecumenical Dialogue will be integrated into the EKD Bulletin, the overseas publication of the EKD. Our special thanks go to the editors' team of the magazine der überblick for their efforts throughout the years.
The last edition of the Ecumenical Dialogue is dedicated to a little piece of cloth - the head scarf. This "missionary" piece of textile - as how the German President Johannes Rau named it - has become the central symbol for a controversial dispute about the role of Islam and Muslim immigrants in Germany and other countries within Europe. The debate has been triggered by a seemingly insignificant fact: Less than 20 Muslim women teachers in Germany wear the scarf when giving their lessons, most of them without any objections. One fought for her right to do so up to the Constitutional Court. Now the issue is dividing the nation and the churches.
There are German federal states who decided to prohibit the scarf at schools. Others are against such a law. And the German president as well as several church representatives fear, that a prohibition could lead to a ban of all religious symbols in public institutions and finally to a completely secular state. Historical background of the national debate is the German constitution of 1949 which leaves the status of religion unclear. It guarantees the freedom of belief and the freedom of conscience to everyone, at the same time it conveys certain privileges to the churches. As such Germany is not at all a laizistic state. The intensity of this debate shows that Germany has not yet resolved the question of how to cope with other religions such as the Islam and how to integrate immigrants with different religious backgrounds in a country with a culture stamped by Christian tradition.
The Ecumenical Dialogue reflects the variety of opinions which goes through all political wings and groups within our society. The articles on the following pages try to turn the tide of sweeping statements that heat on a culture of intolerance and mistrust against other religions and other cultures. Mutual respect is the base for peace and democracy. This is the strong belief of the Evangelical Churches. These values should be kept in mind even in times where security issues are overarching topics in public discussions and the international agenda.
We thank you for your interest in the Ecumenical Dialogue throughout the years and hope that you will join the readership of the Ecumenical Bulletin.You will find more information on our website www.ekd.de/bulletin/bulletin.html.
Dr. Konrad von Bonin, Executive Director of EED, Church Development Service Germany. - Bishop Dr. Rolf Koppe, Bishop for Ecumenical Relations and Ministries Abroad, Evangelical Church in Germany.