12. June 2025
What Religions Can Do for Our Democracy – Round Table of Religions 2025
“Many people are worried about the state of our democracy.” This statement wasn’t made in passing—it marked the beginning of a conversation that connected the gravity of our current moment with the hope for a shared path forward.
At the Round Table of Religions 2025, representatives of religious and ideological communities came together to reflect on their responsibility for peaceful coexistence. The aim: to firmly establish interreligious dialogue at the state level and strengthen it as a stable foundation for a democratic culture.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR A PEACEFUL SOCIETY
In his keynote, Dr. Stephan Schlensog emphasized that religions help shape society. They are called upon not only to teach their ethical principles but to embody them. Values such as humanity, reciprocity, justice, truthfulness, partnership, and a commitment to sustainable living—anchored in the Declaration toward a Global Ethic—serve now more than ever as guiding principles for a successful coexistence.
"This statewide Round Table of Religions, as a platform for dialogue between religious communities and policymakers—as well as the local councils of religions that have been initiated in recent years—plays an important role in stabilizing and securing social peace. And it can play a vital and beneficial role in responding to the global challenges of a world that seems more unsettled than ever."
A FORUM FOR DIALOGUE AND DEMOCRACY
The Ministry of Social Affairs, which oversees the Round Table, sees it as a key space for dialogue between politics and religion. Minister Manfred Lucha underscored the importance of creating spaces for open conversation—especially for those drawn to radical narratives. Democratic cohesion requires controversy, respect, and a sincere effort to listen. Only by truly listening to one another, allowing for differences, and engaging in respectful debate can we develop a moral compass that supports our shared life together.
IMPULSES FOR PEACE AND LIVED DIALOGUE
How religions can contribute to peace was made clear through the presentations of Prof. Dr. Erdal Toprakyaran and Prof. Dr. Johannes Heil. Their contributions showed: even the more difficult chapters of religious history can be addressed when believers critically engage with their texts and consider historical contexts. This reflective approach opens up new perspectives on faith and encourages a nuanced, peace-oriented relationship with religious tradition.
The interplay between theory and practice was made tangible through the projects presented. The Center for Distancing from Extremism, the Muslim Academy Heidelberg, the educational initiative ReViLBa² by the Eugen Biser Foundation, the interfaith project Sukkat Salām by Kubus e.V., and the workshop Religion? All you can ask! by the Global Ethic Foundation all provided concrete models for successful interreligious dialogue. Together, they demonstrate: peacebuilding is not an abstract concept—it is a lived responsibility.
YOUTH FORUM OF RELIGIONS
For the first time, the Youth Forum of Religions was also represented—and their voices were heard. The young participants called for greater visibility on social media and effective regulation of hate speech. Their involvement marked an important step in giving space to youth perspectives within interfaith platforms.
UNITED AGAINST DIVISION AND RADICALIZATION
What remains? A powerful message. The Round Table shows how religions can take responsibility across confessional boundaries. Here, politics and religion do not operate in parallel—they collaborate. In a world in turmoil, this dialogue remains essential—for peace, cohesion, and a shared future.
Interfaith cooperation project
GLOBAL ETHIC & THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS, HEALTH AND INTEGRATION
