Open-air lecture theatre ‘Religions, Peace and Violence’
As part of the North Rhein-Westphalia Day 2026, the Cluster of Excellence invited people to short talks from research on religion at the University of Münster – Presentations and discussions on ‘Diversity and Religion’ – Saturday 29 August 2026, 5.30 to 7.45 pm at Überwasserkirchplatz
As part of the North Rhein-Westphalia Day 2026, the Cluster of Excellence ‘Religion and Politics’ invited people to short talks and discussions in the open-air lecture theatre ‘Religions, Peace and Violence’. Researchers from the University of Münster used case studies from both the past and the present to examine the relationship that religions have to peace and violence. The presentations in the open-air lecture theatre have taken place on the stage of the ‘Dialogue and Diversity’ theme at Überwasserkirchplatz in Münster on Saturday 29 August 2026, from 5.30 to 7.45 pm.
Topics ranged from the world’s oldest peace treaty to war and peace in the Old Testament and to the dispute in the Middle Ages between religions over the question of truth. Researchers also talked about Islamism online, the Russian Orthodox Church’s justification of the war in Ukraine, current challenges in religious policy, and the role of religions in international conflicts. Findings and visual sources from Egyptology, Catholic, Protestant and Islamic theology, as well as religious studies and history, were presented. Researchers invited you to reflect and engage in discussion.
Further insights into interdisciplinary research on religion were provided by the University of Münster in a multimedia presentation at the North Rhein-Westphalia Day from 28 to 30 August 2026. This presentation showcased the diversity of research, degree programmes and institutions that the internationally unique Campus of Theology and Religious Studies will bring together from 2027: Protestant, Catholic and Islamic theology, religious studies, Jewish studies, Cluster of Excellence, and other institutions engaged in research on religion. The exhibition featuring a quiz covered research ranging from ancient shrines and religious parodies to the future of religious education in schools and spiritual communities. (vvm)