Sermon Delivered at the Salvator Church in Duisburg
The Evangelical Church Circle of Duisburg is set to host a thought-provoking pulpit speech on September 7th at 5 PM, with Professor Dr. Lorenz Narku Laing delivering a sermon on the topic "Un.Wissen.Schafft.Rassismus" (Un.Knowledge.Creates.Racism). This event marks a significant milestone in the commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the 1st Reformed General Synod, which took place in the same church from September 7th to 11th, 1610.
Professor Laing, a professor of social sciences and racism research at the Evangelical University of Rheinland-Westfalen-Lippe in Bochum, has been recognised for his contributions, being named one of the "40 under 40" by the Capital Magazine and receiving the German Diversity Award 2023, among other accolades. He is also the CEO of Vielfaltsprojekte GmbH.
The pulpit speeches, initiated by the Evangelical Church Circle of Duisburg, aim to take up the impetus from the 1st Reformed General Synod by inviting non-theologians to speak on relevant social developments. This synod, which permanently shaped the church order of the Evangelical Church in the Rhineland, was the first time in church history that non-theologians were included on equal terms in decision-making processes.
Since 2010, notable figures such as Charlotte Knobloch, Fritz Pleitgen, Manni Breuckmann, Prof. Dr. Udo Di Fabio, Kai Magnus Sting, Prof. Dr. Norbert Lammert, Dr. Gregor Gysi, Katrin Göring-Eckardt, and Dr. Mark Benecke have delivered lectures in this series.
Admission to the lecture is free, and attendees are advised to arrive at 4 PM for seating. The seating for the lecture is limited, so it is recommended to secure a spot early. The pulpit speeches are held at Duisburg's Salvatorkirche, a historic location that adds to the gravitas of these important discussions.
As part of the commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the 1st Reformed General Synod, these pulpit speeches serve as a reminder of the church's commitment to social justice and inclusivity. Professor Laing's sermon promises to be a compelling exploration of the role of unknowledge in creating racism, a topic that remains relevant in today's society.
