Christians for Socialism

Christians for Socialism (CfS) (formerly: Christians for Socialism ) is an ecumenical movement of liberation theology that emerged in Chile in 1971 from a Catholic environment and is committed to the compatibility of Christianity and socialism . The organization conducts political work based on grassroots democracy , Marxist and liberation theological convictions. CfS has been active in Europe since 1973, namely in Germany , Spain , Belgium , Denmark and Sweden .

CfS in Germany

Dissemination and activities

In Germany, the organization still has around ten regional groups (out of around 20 regional groups in the past) which, according to their own statements, were significantly influenced by the Political Night Prayer Working Group . Activities include the semi-annual delegates' conferences and intensive seminars, which mostly take place annually. It has a central office that is also responsible for national and international networking. She is also a member of the Church from Below initiative .

Political positions

The organization sees itself on the side of the oppressed, provided with a world view between Christian theology and Marxism . From these two perspectives they want to overcome class society .

Religious self-image

Within the organization there are different views on cooperation with the Christian churches . So there are members who try to change this, while others avoid it. She describes the intended materialistic reading of the Bible as committed to historical materialism and the perspective of the poor and oppressed. Furthermore, the CfS want to abandon private piety and political apathy in order to arrive at a “progressive Christianity”.

See also

• Religious socialism
• Liberation Theology
• Political theology

literature

• Michael Ramminger: "... we were church ... in the midst of the poor". The Christian Legacy for Socialism in Chile 1971–1973 . Edition ITP-Kompass, Münster 2019, ISBN 978-3-9819845-2-1 .

Web links

• Christian literature for socialism in the German National Library
• Christian literature for socialism in the German National Library
• Official website of the German Section of Christians for Socialism
• Christians for Socialism . In: Der Spiegel . No. 22 , 1976 ( online - via Communist Catholicism).
• Klaus Kreppel : Christians for Socialism. In: Lexicon for Theology and Church. (3. Edition). Edited by Walter Kasper. Volume 2. Herder, Freiburg-Basel-Rome-Vienna 1994, column 1102

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b} Presentation of the organization
2. ↑ Bible in the left . In: Die Zeit , No. 12/1975