This article describes the complex situation of the oriental Christians between oriental roots and western claims. Once the original inhabitants of the Orient, they were pushed into marginalization after die Islamic conquests and became inferior citizens; this left its mark in their collective identity. The West often considered die Christians as natural allies of its political interests, without having respect for their cultural heritage. Thus, the role of die oriental Christians can not be understood within die Islamic majority alone, but also in consideration of die oriental-occidental interaction. As the Christians were often leading advocates of secularism and nationalism, their situation today gets worse as a result of the pressure toward social homogeneity.

Enthalten in:
Theologische Literaturzeitung; 2009/2 Monatsschrift für das gesamte Gebiet der Theologie und Religionswissenschaft (2009)

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Serie / Reihe: Theologische Literaturzeitung

Personen: Tamcke, Martin

Schlagwörter: Christ Europa Ostkirche Orient