Matthias Börner
...the conversation, on an afternoon in early summer on a bench in a park, with a Jewish participant about our doubts in faith. Not a discussion, eexplanation, or defense of our religions but a very personal sharing in the Other's everyday life of faith.
..the cosy evening in the JCM Cafe when a converted Muslim tells me the moving story of his life and faith. Touching, honest, and impressive. His opennes and trust abash me.
...the intensive conversation following a JCM discussion group with a Christian female minister about Schleimermacher's contribution to the Theology of Religions when we continuously link theology with our own biography that breathes life into any theological judgment.
... the spontaneous, wonderful chanting of the Jewish lament [Kaddish?] when visiting the Jewish cemetery in Solingen that cuts through the silence over the graves of the Holocaust victims, making me shiver and driving tears to my eyes.
... the pain of a young Muslima from London describing her feelings when she, at leaving home without a headscarf, is immediately considered a potential danger for the life of others and for social order – and the silence of consternation among the almost 100 participants.
These and many other encounters are, for me, connected with the JCM; names, faces with their hopes, fears, passions, and doubts. And each of these biographies, encounters, and conversations have constantly led me closer to our God. It has certainly always been a special experience for me to be part of the close and trusting cooperation of the preparation team.
Dear JCM conference, my heartfelt congratulations for your birthday, and thank you very much for existing! You have enriched my life! I wish you that you may continue with this liveliness, emotionality, and this personal touch that says and brings about more with regard to interfaith dialogue than a thousand textbooks. I wish that you may continue to be a blessing for each individual, and that this blessing will be passed on in families, society, politics, and theology. Please never remain an island for few, and take care never to become a religion yourself!
Besides, I wish you, from the bottom of my heart, long-term stable funding!
...the intensive conversation following a JCM discussion group with a Christian female minister about Schleimermacher's contribution to the Theology of Religions when we continuously link theology with our own biography that breathes life into any theological judgment.
... the spontaneous, wonderful chanting of the Jewish lament [Kaddish?] when visiting the Jewish cemetery in Solingen that cuts through the silence over the graves of the Holocaust victims, making me shiver and driving tears to my eyes.
... the pain of a young Muslima from London describing her feelings when she, at leaving home without a headscarf, is immediately considered a potential danger for the life of others and for social order – and the silence of consternation among the almost 100 participants.
These and many other encounters are, for me, connected with the JCM; names, faces with their hopes, fears, passions, and doubts. And each of these biographies, encounters, and conversations have constantly led me closer to our God. It has certainly always been a special experience for me to be part of the close and trusting cooperation of the preparation team.
Dear JCM conference, my heartfelt congratulations for your birthday, and thank you very much for existing! You have enriched my life! I wish you that you may continue with this liveliness, emotionality, and this personal touch that says and brings about more with regard to interfaith dialogue than a thousand textbooks. I wish that you may continue to be a blessing for each individual, and that this blessing will be passed on in families, society, politics, and theology. Please never remain an island for few, and take care never to become a religion yourself!
Besides, I wish you, from the bottom of my heart, long-term stable funding!
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