Polarisation beyond the Pandemic? Fissures within the German Public and the Role of Public Theology

After some initial background information on the relation of church and state in the German context, the article examines reactions by churches and other Christian groups in Germany to the Covid-19 containment measures. While representatives of mainline churches focussed on consolation in the crisis...

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Autore principale: Wabel, Thomas 1966- (Autore)
Tipo di documento: Elettronico Articolo
Lingua:Inglese
Verificare la disponibilità: HBZ Gateway
Interlibrary Loan:Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany)
Pubblicazione: 2024
In: Stellenbosch theological journal
Anno: 2024, Volume: 10, Fascicolo: 1, Pagine: 1-26
Altre parole chiave:B COVID-19 pandemic
B Conspiracy Theories
B Querdenker
B Containment measures
B Conspiracy theories
B Christian fundamentalism
B containment measures
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Riepilogo:After some initial background information on the relation of church and state in the German context, the article examines reactions by churches and other Christian groups in Germany to the Covid-19 containment measures. While representatives of mainline churches focussed on consolation in the crisis and support state measures, a minority of radical voices acted in a polarising way, offering interpretations in terms of spiritual warfare, betrayal of the gospel, and conspiracy theories, and regarding themselves as victims of health policy. It is argued that the Christian tradition is in itself ambiguous and can be used in destructive ways, and that clarification of concepts is a task of public theology. The paper concludes by pointing out opportunities for the contribution of religions to a critical assessment of the handling of this crisis in the state and society.
ISSN:2413-9467
Comprende:Enthalten in: Stellenbosch theological journal
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.17570/stj.2024.v10n1.18