Press Releases

January - March 2022

January

• [25.01.2022] "Right-wing Christians exploit theology for their own ideas of the social order". According to researchers, the new right uses writings such as those of Dietrich Bonhoeffer for their own purposes – Theologian Arnulf von Scheliha sees recourse to outdated theological positions – “We must also oppose such appropriations on the day of remembrance for the victims of National Socialism on 27 January” – Right-wing view of Muslims tainted with “envy of their tradition”.

February

• [24.02.2022] Environmentalists driven by idealism, not apocalyptic thinking. Political scientist: 50 years after the publication of the Club of Rome’s “Limits to Growth”, the principle of hope is still dominant in the environmental movement – Groups such as “Last Generation” and their blockades are also shaped by ideals – Religious environmentalists ready for fundamental changes – “Religion is not only green” – Podcast episode 10

March

• [01.03.2022] “Religious dynamics continue to shape our society in significant ways”. Researcher on religion: Focusing on the number of people leaving the church and on declining attendance at church services overlooks how churches and religiosity have shifted into the political domain – Conference organized by the Cluster of Excellence “Religion and Politics” and the DFG research group “Being Catholic in the FRG”.
• [09.03.2022] “The pandemic is having a psychological effect particularly on those on society’s fringes”. Marginalized people feel more psychologically burdened by corona crisis – Initial findings from international research project “Coping with Corona” – Left-wing people suffer more emotionally, and right-wing people more dissatisfied with politics – Religiosity related to social cohesion, but also to mistrust in science.
• [11.03.2022] Alliance of church and state in Russia fosters acceptance of Putin’s war. Sociologist Detlef Pollack: Identification with Orthodoxy and national pride in Russia have grown rapidly in recent decades – Coupling of church and state fosters support for Putin – Patriarch and president united in their view of history and their rejection of Western values – “Sense of humiliation on the part of a former great power is extremely dangerous”.