At its 80th state synod, the Evangelical Church in the Rhineland warns against imperial power politics. She also calls for the protection of human rights.
The regional synod of the Evangelical Church in the Rhineland is concerned that religion is increasingly being used worldwide to justify violent power politics, reactionary values and group-based misanthropy. The Rhenish church condemns all of this in the strongest possible terms: “Nationalism and imperial power politics fundamentally contradict the one all-encompassing love of God, as revealed in Jesus Christ,” it decided at its conference in Bonn that ended this Tuesday.
In its resolution “Against Christian nationalism and imperial power politics”, the state synod complains that Christian symbols such as the cross, biblical narratives or even prominent Christian people such as Dietrich Bonhoeffer would be reinterpreted in a way that radically contradicts the attitude and theological insight of the Protestant Church.
“A racist clash of cultures is alleged,” the decision continues. Closely woven into “Christian” nationalism is also a “retraditionalization of gender roles and hostility towards sexual and gender diversity”.
This is diverse, for example, with the US President Donald Trump and among leading representatives of his MAGA movement to see. “We admire the courage and clarity with which our partner church, the United Church of Christ (UCC), together with many others, advocates for justice, respect for human rights and international understanding,” said the state synod.
Against any form of arbitrary power politics
In Russia the management supported the Russian Orthodox Church with Patriarch Kirill. openly Putin’s aggressive power politics. In Europe and Germany, political actors in the extreme right also sought Christian legitimacy for their politics. The state synod opposes any form of arbitrary power politics.
The State Synod of the Evangelical Church in the Rhineland is the highest governing body of the second largest regional church in Germany with over two million members. It has 184 voting members and consists of both theologians and non-theologians from the 34 church districts in North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse and Saarland. The 80th state synod met from January 16th to 20th in Bonn.
Together for a free press
As a cooperative, we belong to our readers. And our journalism is not only 100% non-corporate, but also accessible free of charge. We make all articles freely available, without a paywall. Especially in these times, classifications and information must be accessible to everyone. Our readers don’t have to pay anything, but they know that critical, independent journalism doesn’t emerge from nothing. We are very grateful for that. So that we can continue to do our journalism tomorrow, we need more support. Our next goal: 50,000 – and with your participation we can do it. Set an example for the taz and for the future of our journalism. With just 5 euros you are there!
Support now