Hans Georg Ziebertz Libros

Dreaming the Land: Theologies of Resistance and Hope is a theme that testifies to the contextual nature of practical theology. This present volume contains a collection of essays with international contributions to practical theology. In their original form, these essays were presented at the seventh biennial conference of the International Academy of Practical Theology (IAPT) held at Brisbane/Australia in June 2005. The dreaming and the land are both concepts central to the thinking of the aboriginal peoples of Australia. The dreaming encompasses the creative and life giving forces which govern and express the lifeworld of these same people, while the land is sacred space where the spirits of the ancestors of all human, plant and animal life are represented. The theme is the common thread in the first part of the book. Here, the search for Theologies of Resistance and Hope is related to experiences in the southern hemisphere, to issues of the land as a concept for practical theology and to questions of human rights.

Is the question of God still relevant for our time? Empirical studies from an international perspective show the fact that there are both indications of God's importance and disappearance. The articles in this book deal with questions related to the content, structure and function of images of God. The studies document the actual variety and forms of religious practice and highlight the issues of God present - out of necessity from an ecumenical and interdisciplinary point of view. If and how the question of God is asked is not only of denominational interest, but is also of a cultural importance for the individual and public life in Europe. The empirical studies in this collection were discussed at the "Wurzburg Research Days - Practical Theology" in December 2000.

In the western world, there is a change in religion. Some researchers speak of a general secularisation in the sense of a decline of religion in general. Other researchers claim that religion, represented by the dominant churches in particular, are losing importance. A third group are discovering religious vitality to be an inherent dimension of modernity. The analytical profit might be the greatest if empirical researchers succeed in achieving some sort of balance between functional and substantial dimensions of religion. This is what the authors of this book want to do. It is in this balance that the task of practical theology lies: to reflect on the tension between traditional Christian religion and actual religious practice and to open up perspectives for action in the pastoral practice and teaching.

This book considers how the termination of life might be accepted in the view of a general obligation to protect life. It features more than 10 papers written by scholars from 14 countries that offer international comparative empirical research. Inside, readers will find case studies from such areas as: India, Chile, Germany, Italy, England, Palestine, Lithuania, Nigeria, and Poland. The papers focus on three limitations of the right to life: the death penalty, abortion, and euthanasia. The contributors explore how young people understand and evaluate the right to life and its limitations. The book presents unique empirical research among today's youth and reveals that, among other concepts, religiosity matters. It provides insight into the acceptance, perception, and legitimation of human rights by people from different religious and cultural backgrounds. This investigation rigorously tests for inter-individual differences regarding political and judicial rights on religious grounds, while controlling for other characteristics. It will help readers better understand the many facets of this fundamental, yet controversial, philosophical question. The volume will be of interest to students, researchers, as well as general readers searching for answers.

Religion is back on the agenda. Western societies are searching for an adequate understanding of religion. Media move religion into focus as a resource of significance in modern societies, but also as a source of tension and conflict. Politics is testing how to manage religious pluralism. Education is developing concepts of interreligious dialogue in order to promote a better intercultural understanding. The book discusses if the concept post-secularity allows a suitable understanding of the public presence of religion.

Mit den Menschenrechten ist die Idee verbunden, dass sie in ihrer Summe unverkürzt, weltweit und unabhängig von besonderen kulturellen Kontexten gültig sind. Sowohl in der christlichen als auch in der islamischen Diskussion werden die Menschenrechte unterschiedlich diskutiert und rezipiert. Ist dies ein selbstverständlicher Prozess der Assimilation des UN-Katalogs auf besondere Lebensumstände, oder wird damit der Anspruch auf universale Geltung unterlaufen? Diese Fragen behandelt der Band aus christlicher und muslimischer Perspektive.

Im vorliegenden Band wird insbesondere untersucht, wieviel Demokratie die Gemeinde braucht, welche Stellung und Sorge den Subjekten in der Gemeinde gebührt und welche Beziehungen zur Umwelt der Gemeinde zu unterhalten sind, um für das neue Jahrtausend gerüstet zu sein. Die christlichen Kirchen in Westeuropa stehen unter Druck. Jahrtausendwenden werden gerne bemüht, das Ende einer Epoche oder einen Neuanfang zu proklamieren. Es liegt auf der Hand, daß solchen Zeiten die Frage nach dem Wozu und Wohin besonders vehement gestellt wird. Welche Aspekte des kulturell überlieferten Christentums sind es wert, erhalten zu werden, auf welche kann man unter Umständen verzichten? Woraufhin sind die Kräfte zu bündeln, was kann vernachlässigt werden? Was ist der Kern, was Staffage? Der vorliegende Band nimmt nicht die Kirche global in den Blick, sondern konzentriert sich auf die lokale Kirche, die Gemeinde vor Ort. Die Beiträge gründen auf der übereinstimmenden Überzeugung, daß die lokale Gemeinde mit ihrem derzeitigen Aufbau und ihren faktischen Leistungen nicht hinreichend gerüstet ist für einen guten Start in das neue Jahrtausend. Drei Problembereiche werden besonders untersucht: Wieviel Demokratie braucht die Gemeinde? Welche Stellung und Sorge gebührt den Subjekten in der Gemeinde und welche Beziehungen sind zur Umwelt der Gemeinde zu unterhalten? InteressentInnen: Theologen, Pädagogen, Pfarrer, Pastoralreferenten, in der kirchlichen Gemeindearbeit Tätige.