In communist East Germany the protestant ritual of confirmation was forcibly substituted with a youth initiation ritual, in which 14-year-olds pledged their allegiance to the socialist state. Today, the tradition of non-religious youth initiation is still upheld, though in a less ideological context. However, in West and in East Germany, 40 to 50 % of young people participate in neither youth initiation nor in the church rites. Some alternative rituals have sprung up. The article presents excerpts from an interview in the East German context with the parents of young people concerned: pupils of Christian schools, who have not been baptized and do not intend to be confirmed. Parents are encouraged to work alongside teachers in developing an appropriate initiation ritual at school with an open religious character.

Enthalten in:
Pastoraltheologie; 2016/3 Monatsschrift für Wissenschaft und Praxis in Kirche und Gesellschaft (2016)

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Serie / Reihe: Pastoraltheologie

Personen: Handke, Emilia

Schlagwörter: Jugendlicher Konfirmation Jugendweihe Übergang Ritual Firmung