question of which religion in Germany is very important for the history of the German state, as well as prospects for its social development in the future.Religious processes have a significant direct and indirect impact on the lives of European society, because this area should be given due attention.
Pre-Christian Germany
Let's begin with the origins.Religion ancient Germany, as well as all national cults of the European peoples in ancient times was represented by paganism.In this case it is the Nordic type of religiosity, according to mythology and practice is similar to the authentic Scandinavian traditions.
Chapter drevnegermanskogo pantheon - Wotan, father of the gods.He and his entourage, whose members are called aces, live in the highest of the nine worlds - Asgard.And the mystery of their place on earth is a sacred grove.
pagan tribes of Germanic lands to a large extent dependent on the power of the priestly class.Although their rights and privileges from the community to the community varies somewhat, in general, priests are concentrated in their hands the judicial power was headed by public sacrifices and oracles were engaged.
to the X century pagan traditions in the Germanic tribes came to the final decline in the spread of Christianity.
Christianization of Germany
Religion Germany began to change from the IV century, together with an active church missionaries preaching work - the Irish and Anglo-Saxons.Initially, the land of the German tribes embraced the Arian version of Christianity, but over time, under pressure from secular authorities, political processes in the international arena and the activities of Catholic missionaries, the German population is increasingly imbued with the spirit of orthodoxy.The turning point in this regard is the mission of St. Boniface, in the VIII century, managed to reorganize the religious life of many people in Germany and unite them under the jurisdiction of a single metropolis, located in Cologne.Personal commitment Boniface Roman Church and devotion to the Holy See has determined for many centuries to come the religious orientation of Germany, making it a Catholic country.
reformation of religion and the emergence of the national church
In the XVI century the religion of Germany, namely, Roman Catholicism, largely lost its authority and lost its leading position.This is due to the performance of the Augustinian monk Martin Luther, revolted with his theological arguments against a number of abuses of the Catholic Church.Lutheran movement, was originally conceived as a reformation of the Church, it became a separate denomination with a characteristic set of ritual, doctrinal and ethical canons, called "Protestant."Almost immediately, it crashed into several independent currents, giving rise still ongoing process of sectarian division.The three main branches of Protestantism, which are the religious face of Germany - Lutheran, Reformed and Evangelical Churches.
Religion Nazi Germany
period of Nazi dictatorship deserves special mention because of the historical development of religion on German soil.Firstly, this is connected with the processes of persecution of religious groups - Christian, pagan and, of course, Jewish.Hitler's program included the complete destruction of Christian principles in culture, education and pedagogy in Germany.Secondly, the Nazi Party was marked by a number of proposals of alternative religiosity.All such initiatives are divided into two camps, which can be called ariohristianstvom and neo-paganism.
The first of these theories suggests revaluation of Christian values, history and beliefs in light of the racial theory of the Nazis.In the field of dogmatic Christianity completely dissociates itself from the Jewish roots, and Jesus, according to this doctrine, was the Aryan fighter against Jewry.Adolf Hitler proclaimed himself the new Messiah, called for the continuation of the cause of truth, nordic Jesus.
After the failure of the leaders of the Reich ariohristianskoy program developed the concept of the revival of ancient paganism, based on semi-legendary irminizma.However, categorically denying the historical Wotanism German fascists were repressed nenatsistskie pagan institutions, completely destroying them by 1941.However, this attempt to reorganize the spiritual foundations of the country, had no success, and the dominant religion in Germany was still inextricably linked with the Christian churches.
religious processions Germany today
Today religion is not represented by a unified Germany or the main church.Leading positions divided between Catholics and Lutherans.Each of these religions are united slightly more than 30% of the population.About 30% of the inhabitants of the country consider themselves atheists and agnostics.The remaining minority is divided between Muslims, Christians of other denominations and representatives of other faiths.
It should also be noted that in Germany today there is a significant outflow of parishioners of the Christian churches.And Protestantism, Catholicism, and even more popular in Europe Orthodoxy in the past few years significantly lost weight.At the same time, German society has been an intensification of Muslim propaganda.Paganism and Buddhism do not occupy prominent positions, while gaining popularity among young people.Thus, the main religious trends of modern Germany can be considered as a dynamic and Islamization atheisation population.
