Religious education in East Germany: A change of generations!

Religious education in East Germany: A change of generations!

An international study by the University of Münster offers new insights into religious socialization within families. The results show that the transmission of non-religiosity is particularly widespread in East Germany and that this trend is also increasing in other Western societies. The research was conducted in several countries including Germany, Finland, Italy, Canada and Hungary.

The study finds that religious socialization is most effective when families have a shared religious self-image and share religious practices. A central point here is the role of mothers, who play a crucial role in religious education. Despite the influence of churches and religious communities in maintaining traditional religious practices, the results show that in an increasingly secular environment, parents increasingly chose to pass on non-religion or freedom of choice in religious matters to their children.

Family religiosity and its dynamics

The study underlines that religion is not passed on one-to-one, but is in a process of transformation. What is particularly striking is that the breakdown of familial transmission of religion began early in East Germany. This particularly affects the generation born up to 1948, while many of those born between 1985 and 2003 come from non-religious families. In contrast, about 70% of recent respondents in the West have a religious affiliation, according to the study.

A strong indication of the differences between East and West are the consequences of anti-religious politics in the GDR. The development of a religious identity often occurs during adolescence, with changing educational ideals since the 1980s leading to a greater emphasis on personal choice in the religious sphere. The study further shows that the transmission of religion is more likely when all generations within a family actively work together.

Regardless of the decline in religious practices, values ​​such as solidarity and tolerance remain constant. Another topic addressed in this context is family religiosity as a social practice that is constantly being reshaped. In a comprehensive article about religious education, different aspects of family religiosity, such as the clarification of central terms and the influence of systemic and attachment theory findings, are explained. A distinction is made here between implicit and explicit family religiosity, which enables a differentiated perspective Theo Web.

Empirical investigation and educational offers

The research situation on family religiosity appears to be patchy and not very continuous. Experts are calling for innovative educational offerings to be developed that meet the heterogeneous needs of families. Attachment theory is highlighted as an important element in understanding the dynamics within family religiosity and is also a starting point for future research and the design of educational offerings.

The international researchers who collaborated on this study shed light on the challenges and opportunities associated with the intergenerational transmission of religious orientations in a variety of ways. The results are comprehensively published in the book "Families and Religion. Dynamics of Transmission across Generations", funded by the John Templeton Foundation.

In view of these findings, it becomes clear that the understanding of family religiosity needs to be further deepened in the context of the development of educational strategies. This is particularly important for the practice of religious education, which should meet the changing needs of families in order to promote reflective and adaptable education Pedagogy specialist portal.