Germans reconsider religion

Christian Science Monitor ^ | September 15, 2006 | Christa Case

[jwalburg]

BERLIN – This is the continent where some leading thinkers are talking about a "post-Christian Europe." And this is the country of philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, who infamously quipped, "God is dead." ... Coincidentally, some of Europe's stalwart secularists are challenging the idea that religious reasoning inevitably retreats from the public sphere as countries modernize. ... • There are more theologians in the German parliament than in any other Western parliament, including the US Congress. And when the last government cabinet was sworn in, nearly every member - instead of the usual 50 percent - opted for the religious version of the inaugural oath, according to Karsten Voigt, coordinator of German-American relations at the foreign ministry.

• In a recent survey gauging the perceived credibility of different professions, pastors were ranked in the Top 5...

[jwalburg]

It would be interesting if the presence of Muslims drove secularists into a massive rethinking of Christianity.

[TeenagedConservative]

I don't get something. Besides the obvious conspiracy among the media and elites in the West to dethrone Christianity, what is Islam's appeal? Why would billions convert en masse to a religion that demands total abdication of worldly pleasures AND belief in a loving God?

[Frwy]

God can use anything to win people to Himself. I've witnessed some of His awesome uses of what was meant for evil, used for good. My heart soars when I'm able to see it happening.

[ark_girl]

Well, groups like Al Quaeda and Hezbolla prove Satan is alive and quite active.

[austinmark]

"Germans reconsider religion"

This should be THE Headline in any German Newspaper in 1933.

[Frwy]

Evil = Satan

[spanalot]

"Friedrich Nietzsche, who infamously quipped, "God is dead." "

Only because some of the new christians profess a familiarity with the Holy Trinity that is contrary to its early teachings and connotes having partied with Jesus.

[ark_girl]

The libs don't want to convert to Islam. They see it as a tool to defeat traditional western society. They don't realize, however, that if you play with fire, you get burned. And this is an all-consuming fire that can bring about their worst nightmare.

[SuzyQue]

That's an interesting statement. Would you expand upon that a bit?

[JimSEA]

"post-Christian Europe" = Islamic Europe

With the current state of affairs, there are really no other choices. The Muslims will not tolerate a secular enclave anywhere in the world that they are (which is just about everywhere.

[paudio]

It shows history is not linear. What we think as 'passe' at one point may come again the future.

[keats5]

Historically, many were forced to convert to Islam through force. Then their children were born into Islam. Once you're in, you can't leave, under penalty of death. I believe that is why there is rarely a moderate voice in the Muslim community. They fear retaliation from there own.

In other words, Islam is kind of like the mob.

[bill1952]

There are more theologians in the German parliament than in any other Western parliament, including the US Congress.

What, more than one?

Who might these theologians in the US congress be?

[wouldntbprudent]

One of my favorite t-shirts says on the front:

"God is dead." - Nietzsche


On the back, it says:

"Nietzsche is dead." - God

[GOP Poet]

Bookmark

[GOP Poet]

That is the coolest t-shirt I have ever heard of! I want one. Great find. I can tell you wear it proudly :-).

[mugs99]

This should be THE Headline in any German Newspaper in 1933
Uh...it was. "God is dead," wrote Friedrich Nietzsche in 1886...and that remained true in Europe until the rise of Adolph Hitler. Hitler restored Christian patriotism and brought people back to the church.

The European union is a super power of 370 million. They submit to our leadership now, but that could easily change with the revival of religious patriotism in Germany. The next world war will likely start in Europe...just like the last one.
.

[Recovering_Democrat]

Pray for Europe! The continent that spawned Western civilization to great heights has become very very dark, spiritually speaking!

Here's one family to pray for in France:
Sirmons

[NCjim]

Check them out:

http://www.cafepress.com/epistemelinks/488792