Besonders in den USA, einem Land mit religiöser Gründungsgeschichte, spielte Religion über Jahrhunderte eine bedeutende Rolle im politischen Leben. In den letzten Jahrzehnten haben jedoch Säkularisierung, Individualisierung und Liberalisierung die öffentliche Bedeutung religiöser Institutionen geschwächt. Religiös geprägte Milieus müssen sich entweder anpassen oder ihre Werte aktiv verteidigen, was zu politischen Konflikten führt. Dies führt dazu, dass Religion gerade im Zuge der Säkularisierung erneut zu einem zentralen Faktor politischer Auseinandersetzungen wird. Die aktuelle Analyse im Religionsmonitor kompakt untersucht, welche Rolle Religion heute in der politischen Polarisierung der USA spielt. © Bertelsmann Stiftung

Die neue Ausgabe des Religionsmonitors der Bertelsmann Stiftung „Verschwörungsglaube als Gefahr für Demokratie und Zusammenhalt“ untersucht, wie verbreitet Verschwörungsglaube in Deutschland ist im Vergleich zu anderen Ländern in Europa und den USA. Unter Verschwörungsglaube lassen sich Einstellungen zusammenfassen, denen zufolge hinter dem Staat geheime Mächte stehen, die den Politikbetrieb maßgeblich beeinflussen und auf Kontrolle der Bevölkerung aus sind. Als Ausdruck eines tiefen Misstrauens und einer gesellschaftlichen Entfremdung sind diese Vorstellungen geeignet, den sozialen Zusammenhalt zu bedrohen und unsere Demokratie zu gefährden. © Bertelsmann Stiftung

In Ghana, the use of public revenue has been heavily limited by low tax moral and a lack of knowledge of the tax system. This has made it more difficult for the government to deliver much-needed investments for the public good. At the same time, religious actors enjoy enormous trust and influence amongst the population, with 89 % of Ghanese considering religion to be very important.

Young people in Zambia, especially girls and women, face big challenges: HIV, teen pregnancies, and gender-based violence are widespread. With a comparatively high prevalence of HIV in women and a high rate of school dropouts as a result of teen pregnancies, young women are disproportionately affected. Traditional gender norms and social taboos hinder access to information and services.

The world has seen the highest number of refugees and movement of migrants ever as a result of conflicts, climate change, poverty, and a lack of prospects. Internally displaced persons and refugees are particularly at risk of falling victim to human trafficking and often struggle with social stigmatisation, especially after returning to their home. Religious actors play a decisive role in supporting these people. Not only do they offer practical help, they promote narratives of inclusion and social cohesion.

Young people in Kenya’s West Pokot region face tremendous challenges when it comes to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). Traditional values and a lack of access to age-appropriate information leads to teen pregnancies, child marriages, and genderbased violence. Religious actors have a great influence on social norms and can play a key role in promoting access to SRHR services.

Mali has one of the highest rates of gender inequality in the world. Violence against women, including gender-based violence (GBV) and female genital mutilation (FGM), is deeply rooted in the society. Studies have revealed that 91% of women between the ages of 15 and 49 are impacted by FGM and 70% of households support a continuation of this practice. This damaging tradition is firmly anchored in cultural and religious beliefs, which makes it a tremendous challenge to work against.

For many young people in southern Africa, access to sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) information and services is limited, despite there being high rates of teen pregnancy, HIV infections, and gender-based violence. Religious communities that play a central role in society often shy away from publicly addressing sensitive topics, which leads to taboos and discrimination. The “Masithethe – Let’s Talk” project, implemented by the Faith to Action Network and Act Ubumbano, aimed to bring young people aged 18–24 together with religious actors in order to make the SRHR-related needs of young people more visible. Awareness-raising activities were carried out in six countries – Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa – to improve access to information and promote intergenerational discussions.

In Lebanon, many children grow up cut off from other communities. Prejudices, stereotypes, and hate among religious groups are widespread. A UNICEF study from August 2022 underscores the impact of this crisis on children and youth: their right to health, welfare, security, and education as well as their right to play is heavily limited. The goal of the GIZ’s pilot projects in Lebanon was thus to build a multi-religious youth network that through children’s rights education strengthens social cohesion and interreligious understanding. Young people would be effective “agents of change,” who overcome religious differences and actively engage in the betterment of life quality for children and youth.

Traditional Islamic schools, known as mahadras, play a central role in the education system in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. They are focal points for students from all over West Africa and the Sahel. The mahadras’ purely religious approach often does not prepare graduates for the requirements of the job market. That creates a dangerous situation, as students may be more susceptible to the recruitment tactics of different jihadi groups in the Sahel. The GIZ pilot project “Support to UNHCR in the operationalization of the Global Compact on Refugees in the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus” (ProNexus) was implemented in cooperation with religious actors, government institutions, and partners from civil society. Its aim was to promote the social and economic integration of young graduates of mahadras in order to better their career chances and strengthen social cohesion.

Egypt is facing considerable social challenges as its traditional perspective on marriage and family planning confronts a high divorce rate. Young people who live in rural areas and informal urban regions are especially impacted by patriarchal gender roles, limited sex education, and limited access to counselling services. The GIZ project “Equal Opportunities and Social Development in Egypt,” (EOSD) in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Solidarity (MoSS) and religious institutions initiated a pilot project to respond to these developments. The goal was to create a human rights-based curriculum for pre-marital counselling that would prepare young people for partnership and family planning and provide them with nonviolent communications strategies.

Religious and traditional actors play a key role in fragile societies like Chad’s, which is hit by conflict and socially fragmeprognted. Chad is a secular state whose population is predominantly Muslim (60 %) and Christian (35 %). In light of increasing tensions due to violent extremism, especially in the region near Lake Chad, the GIZ project “Improving Livelihoods in Western Chad” (PAMELOT) looked for ways to strengthen social cohesion.

The fourth most populous country in the world, Indonesia is characterised by its religious diversity and the strong influence of religious values on society. Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism – the six officially recognised religious communities in the country – are important players in the society’s development.

Indonesia is one of the largest producers of plastic garbage found in the oceans. Jakarta alone is responsible for around 7,000 tonnes of trash, 14 % of which consists of plastic that is difficult to recycle. Despite a 2020 ban on single-use plastic bags, it has been a challenge for traditional markets, where over 70 % of the population shops, to do away with the bags.

This first issue of the Living Planet Monitor aims to monitor our commitment to sustainable food systems, conservation of land, ecological biodiversity, and water justice in Africa The Living Planet Monitor will give an overview of the situation in a particular continent by monitoring indicators on food security, water resources, land use, and climate resilience. It is a key instrument for faith communities to stay informed on the current situation, share good practices and projects led by church-based organisations, and give hope and courage to transform the situation. Edited by Dinesh Suna & Solene Villota-Jetzer. © 2024 World Council of Churches Organisation