Religion and war are closely related in the Middle East and many other regions of the world. This doesn’t have to be the case, as Switzerland proves with its stable religious peace. But Sanija Ameti’s post, which showed a Mary riddled with baby Jesus at the beginning of September, has attacked this peace. On Thursday evening, experts from politics, media and church discussed the topic in the Hofkeller. Around 40 interested guests accepted the invitation of the Catholic Church in St.Gallen. “If we want to maintain peace, we need a good education in religion,” stated Raphael Rauch that evening. The “Blick” editor is the journalist who first reported on the Ameti post: He spoke to her on the phone while her Instagram post was still online.
Highest St.Galler injured
Vića Mitrović, SP city parliamentarian and, as parliamentary speaker, this year’s highest St. Gallen resident, was particularly offended by the Ameti image. “Icons have huge significance in the Orthodox tradition,” explains the Serbian Orthodox, who has been committed to interreligious exchange for many years. Next to him on the podium is Karin Winter-Dubs, SVP parliamentary group president in the city parliament. As a member of a shooting club, she also argues that Ameti violated clear rules; Even as a shooter, she should never have done that. Ann-Katrin Gässlein, educational theologian at the St.Gallen City Pastoral Care, represents the Catholic side and reveals that she gave Sanija Ameti the book “Jesus but slept”. The work contains biblical advice for effective stress management. “In the whole discussion, we sometimes need a little calmness,” says the theologian and Islamic scholar.
No regulation desired
Led by Sebastian Schneider, the evening also discussed the responsibility of the mass media and social media. Panel participant Jürg Ackermann is a long-time member of the editor-in-chief of the “St.Galler Tagblatt”. As a newspaper editor, he regularly decides which topics should be weighted and how. Of course, the Ameti case was also reported – in many facets. During the course of the evening, however, Ackermann admits that forum newspapers such as the “Tagblatt” actually report less on religious topics today than in the past. Vića Mitrović even admitted in the evening that parties like the SP talk about everything but religion. It becomes clear from the conversation that there needs to be greater awareness of religious feelings. Because the danger of religious violence is great; In the evening, examples such as France or Nigeria are mentioned.
Basically, the experts see social media as having less responsibility. “It’s a social problem,” says Winter-Dubs. But how do you want to approach it? “The best way is through education.” Nobody contradicts Raphael Rauch’s suggestion that evening. Perhaps the Ameti case is a wake-up call, it is speculated.
