Der Nächste ist ein Anderer. Grenzübergreifende Gemeindepartnerschaften in Berlin und Brandenburg während des Kalten Kriegs

Abstract

Between 1945 and 1990, Berlin was the symbolic centre of a divided world. Nevertheless, some links remained intact. For instance, Christian communities aspired to maintain and defend ecclesiastical unity across national borders. But how would that unity be practised? Where did the fault lines run? This essay looks into the relationships of sister churches in East and West Germany. Through a close examination of their connections and inter-relations, it will reveal an interdependent transformation of values and attitudes. Furthermore, I will argue that sister church relationships extended beyond the simplistic notion of “unity”. By looking into regular get-togethers of the sister churches, I am able to show that the participating churches underwent continuous change and adjustment as they were exposed to divergent perceptions and expectations. By facing the Other – the other Bloc, the other state, the other Christian – the actors became aware of factual and perceived differences. As a result, they began challenging the status quo in their own churches. Therefore, the patterns of ecclesiastical behaviour in two separate social systems can be regarded as reciprocally affected.