30. October 2024
What Holds Our Society Together?
In a time when many people question the stability and value of our democracy, the issue of social cohesion becomes critically important. Polarization and radicalization threaten not only democratic culture but also social peace.
So, what holds us together when society seems to be drifting apart, as intolerance and ideology increasingly shake the foundations of our community?
1. COMMON CORE VALUES
The cohesion of our society rests on shared beliefs and values. This is the core mission of the Global Ethic Foundation: raising awareness that certain values are essential for successful coexistence. These values do not need to be reinvented; they have been known for millennia. Throughout human history, religions, philosophies, and worldviews have repeatedly asked the same questions:
- What are the prerequisites for a truly “good” life?
- What are the foundations for successful coexistence?
- What are the conditions for right and responsible action in society and the world?
As answers to these questions, people have developed ethical values and norms that appear across all times and cultures. These values, enshrined in the commandments of the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, and the Quran, also appear in the religions of India and Chinese culture and have long preoccupied philosophers and humanists. They form the basis for peaceful coexistence, which is why we speak of a “global ethic,” a shared ethic of humanity.
The Swiss theologian Hans Küng, initiator of the Global Ethic Project and co-founder of our foundation, coined this term and demonstrated the importance of shared values for our society. He emphasized:
Without a minimal basic consensus regarding certain values, norms, and attitudes, a humane coexistence is impossible, be it in a smaller or larger community. Without such a consensus—always to be renewed through dialogue—a modern democracy cannot function.
2. VALUES IN PRACTICE
For shared values to become socially effective, they must be constantly negotiated and made meaningful. They must be experienced and practiced, and even children and adolescents should be given the opportunity to see how these values contribute to a positive sense of community.
To instill these values, we need educational institutions, associations, and other organizations that promote social and ethical learning. These spaces for learning and experience enable young people to recognize the importance of respectful and tolerant interactions and understand the significance of common principles that transcend religious and cultural boundaries.
3. RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER – KNOWLEDGE ABOUT EACH OTHER
Religions play a central role in the cohesion of our society. They possess a powerful societal and transformative force that shapes not only the private lives of billions of people worldwide but also the structures of the societies in which they live. In Germany, where immigration has brought increasing religious diversity, social peace depends more than ever on the successful integration of new arrivals. Religious and cultural isolation, fundamentalism, and extremism pose challenges to successful integration.
Respect for each other and knowledge about each other are essential for peaceful coexistence: knowing both differences and commonalities, so that prejudices and stereotypes never take root. This respect and understanding should be cultivated early and deepened through life. Without them, there is no communication, no dialogue. They are the foundation upon which bridges between religions and cultures can be built, and building these bridges is a societal task that requires expertise, patience, trust, and creativity.
Where this succeeds, religions create a unique cultural value. Religious communities bring people together who believe in something, who share common values and ideals, and who stand united in their convictions. They foster commitment and identification with the community, thereby contributing to the cohesion of our civil society. Harnessing this integrative force and promoting harmony between diverse worldviews is a lasting task for every society in our increasingly globalized world—whether it sees itself as religious or secular.
by Dr Stephan Schlensog
