Pluralität und Pluralismus: Zu Kontexten und Grundformen des christlich-islamischen Dialogs in Deutschland

Abstract

The fact that Islam is now the second religion of Germany, as with much of Western Europe, raises profound questions. What does it mean for the self-understanding of both Christians and Germans within Germany, as well as for the life of the nation? What constitute key impacts and effects of this relatively new situation? What are the consequences for understanding and thinking? And what comprises the key context for the situation of, as well as critical reflection upon, the phenomenon and development of Christian–Muslim interreligious dialogue? In this paper the authors explore dimensions of the fact of plurality and the cognitive response to it that issues in the paradigm of pluralism. The paper takes account of critical theological and philosophical considerations together with the perspectives of cultural theory and reflection upon the context of Christian-Muslim dialogical engagement in Germany.