The Doyle Engaging Difference Program - Georgetown University

When I began reflecting on the role of religion in Germany, I expected to focus on how the long history of Christianity in Germany affects its practice today. I took classes about the history of Christianity at Humboldt University in Berlin, and many of the theologians and events that I learned about were located in Germany, from the birthplace of the Reformation, the historic monasteries, to international ecumenical movements in the modern era. Today, Germany is statistically more secular than the United States, and I expected my experience of religion in Berlin to reflect that. However, I found that there are many opportunities to visit and engage with churches throughout the city. Perhaps that is because of Germany’s religious history and the beautiful architecture of its churches, but I think it is also because of the many efforts of the Church to maintain its place in German society and culture.

Protestantism is the majority religion in northern Germany, and it is also the religious experience that I participated in and reflected upon the most while studying abroad. I witnessed a variety of ways that German Protestant churches engage community members and remain relevant in a pluralistic and often very secular society. One way that they do this is through music. Many churches in Berlin contribute to the local music scene by hosting free concerts for the public. I found this to be a great way to listen to music by traditional German composers as well as new compositions. These concerts usually attract the older generation as well as people from the neighborhood, which often extends beyond the church’s members. Furthermore, a church in Heidelberg hosts Taylor Swift-themed church services, which I assume is to attract the younger generations. I saw an advertisement for their service while visiting Heidelberg, and a few months later I was able to attend their Swiftie service at a Germany-wide Protestant Church festival called the Kirchentag. Although the service itself was a bit cheesy, I think the idea of comparing modern pop music with biblical messages is really interesting, and it certainly attracted a lot of youth at the Kirchentag.

The Kirchentag itself is also another example of the Church’s efforts to remain relevant through attracting people from different backgrounds. The multi-day event showcased and celebrated the full diversity of the Church, involving a variety of events that included people of different ages, cultures, sexual orientations, and abilities. It was also emblematic of the value of dialogue in German religious culture. It is a popular stereotype that Germans don’t like small talk, but I have found that this simply means they prefer talking about deep and important topics instead. In my experience, topics like religion and politics are much less taboo in Germany than they are in the United States. This was particularly the case at the Kirchentag, where there were events discussing the wars in the Ukraine and Gaza, how to better welcome and involve underrepresented members of the Church, and even hosting the outgoing chancellor Olaf Scholz to talk about facing the “challenging times” of today. I have also seen events about political topics hosted in churches and listened to political sermons in Berlin, which shows me the importance that the German Protestant Church places on discussing current issues even when they may be controversial. I have no doubt that this comes from the history of theologians and churches, both Protestant and Catholic, speaking out against authoritarian regimes in Germany, but I was surprised and pleased to see that such dialogue is still valued in the less dire circumstances of the present era.

This willingness of the church to engage with important topics and current events is what I will primarily carry with me as I return to the United States. I have learned that religion does not have to be reliant on the social or political climate in order to remain relevant. Politicians and celebrities can sometimes give religion a heightened emphasis, but it is ultimately the church that takes responsibility for how involved it will be in social, political, and cultural issues. I have been inspired by the way German churches have embraced this responsibility and found unique ways to engage with their community. Although attendance is low at church services, many churches have retained their relevance as community spaces for engaging dialogue, entertainment, and a welcoming environment. These are the methods that they have chosen to remain relevant, and I have come to believe that the church can strive for this relevance without relativizing its beliefs. The church brings people of so many different identities and opinions together, and it is worth engaging this diversity to remain present and active in society. I have seen German churches be a good example of this, and I hope to find ways to work towards such dialogue in my own community and congregation as well.