This volume collects together a set of papers which stem from three preliminary activities: Firstly, the idea to create this volume was initiated by the “Identity, Migration and International Relations:…
Continue ReadingNew book: Europe and America in the Mirror – Culture, Economy, and History
Although it is evident that religiously motivated missions are part of a long historical tradition in various ‘world religions’ (e.g. Smith, 1991) in the course of which experiences of ‘cultural…
Continue ReadingAcculturation of Missionaries – How Religious Orientations Affect Cultural Adjustment?
exc-5a23fbb4343a9bd737479d99 The findings presented in this paper are based on a qualitative, interpretive analysis of an experts’ panel discussion that took place at the conference “Language and Integration: Concepts, Politics,…
Continue ReadingLanguage, Integration, and Migration: An interpretive analysis of an experts’ panel discussion
exc-5a23fbb4343a9bd737479d96 “Imagine, exactly here would be a synagogue, a mosque, a Hindu temple, or a Buddhist stupa!” With this thought experiment passengers were confronted in the city of Essen in September…
Continue ReadingSONDERNUTZUNG – A Transdisciplinary Project Combining Art and Science to Evaluate the Meanings of Religious Diversity in Public Space
Abstract: This paper deals with the question of what experiences individuals do make, who aim for persuading and convincing others of their ‘own’ and how these experiences structure their everyday life and their self-image. To clarify this question a general and anthropological aspect of human being arises: the optimization and standardization of the human others under the provision of one’s own, which leads directly in the vibrant centre of modern societies in a globalized world. The idea of the ‘better man’ is best characterized by a variety of components, such as selfless service and charity to other, readiness to make sacrifices for fellow human being, self-flagellation, self-deception, and expediency of self-abandonment, which are necessary to one’s own task, especially to enforce a change, optimization, and equalization of other. Some of these strategies for alteration derive from previous theoretical considerations and reflexions on empirical research that has recently been accomplished: From the perspective of psychology of religion and culture, the current intercultural practice, the religious self and the meaning-making actions of contemporary Protestant missionaries have been investigated.As will be shown, missionary activity is rooted in both the process of the formation of experiences and the knowledge acquisition, in the course of which individuals ascertain oneself about their self by meanings and interpretations that are culture-specific and at the same time characterized by one’s own biography. Eventually, missionary activity is just one mode of a more general target-oriented human action, which aims at the improvement and perfection of other. The objective of the paper is at least twofold: both results of empirical research and new perspectives of methodological issues on inter- and transdisciplinary research in social, cultural, and religious sciences will be shown.
Without reproducing the whole controversy on issues like integration, language, and migration in the German host society in the paper different factors that influence the process of social integration of immigrants are examined. The presented results are based on a qualitative, interpretive analysis of an experts’ panel discussion that was conducted at the conference “Language and Integration: Concepts, Politics, and Jurisdiction, held on September 30, 2010 in Duisburg, Germany. As can be shown, in the public debate on integration a largely monolithic language-centered basic attitude appears to remain prevalent. Moreover, this analysis of the panel discussion unveils several discourse strategies, arguments, and priority areas. Nevertheless, in the German integration debate seems to remain unchanged a considerable gap between illusion and authenticity. Publications: Arnold, M. & Frazzetto, A. (2011, in press). Zwischen Schein und Sein in der Integrationsdebatte: Eine kritische Reflexion zur deutschen Debatte über Integration, Sprache und Migration [Between Illusion and Authenticity in the Integration Debate: A Critical Reflection of the German Debate on Integration, Language, and Migration]. In E. Dick, A. Frazzetto & A. Kirsch (Eds.), Sprache und Integration: Begriffe, Politik, Recht.
Continue ReadingBetween Illusion and Authenticity in the Integration Debate: A Critical Reflection of the German Debate on Integration, Language, and Migration
This unique exhibition project (co-authored with Alexander-Kenneth Nagel, Ruhr University of Bochum) combines science, religion, and fine arts took place on September 16-17, 2011 in Essen, Germany, and was funded by the fellowship program of the Global Young Faculty (Stiftung Mercator, Essen). Abstract: Making visible religious diversity and plurality in the immigration country Germany and highlighting the connective resources and potentials of religion, these have been the principle object of the exhibition and art project ‘Sondernutzung – Religious Diversity in the Public Sphere.’ The project addressed the question of how the perception of religious diversity does change when different religious groups were relegated for a moment from the ‘margins’ of our cities’ backyards and neighborhood communities, business parks and industrial area to the urban centers in the Metropolis Ruhr. An ‘interfaith pavilion’ was at the heart of a temporary exhibition that took place in the inner city of Essen, Germany, on September 16-17, 2010. A menacing-looking barbed wire fence surrounded a high tower constructed of bright and yellow concrete-timber panels with six square meters of area. The interior of the pavilion invited visitors to contemplate, rest, and tranquilize. On the inner surfaces, the visitors could post and share their impressions and experiences of religious diversity as well as their opinions about religion, posterity, etc. The space between the fence and the pavilion created an exhibition platform for the presentation of multimedia based student research projects. The exhibition served both to raise the awareness of ‘hidden’ aspects of religious diversity in familiar surroundings and to stimulate discussions about religious traditions of immigrants and minorities and their public validity claims. Finally, a ten-minute documentary recorded the reactions to exhibition and art project.
Dr. Maik Arnold is Professor for Non-Profit-Management and Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Transfer at University of Applied Science Dresden.