What if I told you that within these walls, the very essence of tradition and innovation dance in a centuries-old debate? Welcome to the Exzellenzcluster Religion und Politik der Universität Münster. It is a place where the intricate relationship between religion and politics is carefully examined. Since 2007, this cluster has been at the forefront of understanding how these two powerful forces shape our world.
Here at the Exzellenzcluster Religion und Politik, scholars delve deep into history. They analyze the dynamics of tradition and innovation across different eras and cultures. With about 140 researchers from 20 different fields, they explore how religion can drive political and societal change. The team focuses on the paradox of religions. They often develop their innovative potential by drawing on their traditions.
The Exzellenzcluster is not just an ivory tower. It actively engages with the public. They address pressing issues from religiously motivated violence to bioethics. They also tackle church politics and the growing diversity of religions. They host public events with Münster’s museums, choirs, and cinemas. The annual “Dialoge zum Frieden” coincides with the anniversary of the Peace of Westphalia.
Münster is an ideal location for this research. Its history is interwoven with religious and secular events. The Anabaptist Kingdom, the Peace of Westphalia and Cardinal von Galen’s resistance to the Nazi regime all happened here. Münster demonstrates that peace and religious tolerance are possible even in dire situations.
From 2019 to 2025, the Exzellenzcluster received 31 million euros in funding. This supports research into the dynamics of tradition and innovation. The cluster focuses on Europe and the Mediterranean. It also studies their connections to other regions like West Asia, Africa, and the Americas. This research investigates how religion has influenced political and societal change throughout history.
The Exzellenzcluster mourned the loss of historian Thomas Großbölting in 2025. He significantly contributed to the cluster’s research on the contemporary history of religions. Großbölting’s work explored religious change in Germany. His colleagues remember him fondly.
The interdisciplinary approach of the Exzellenzcluster makes it a unique research hub. Its multimedia dossiers cover a variety of topics. They offer reports, essays, graphics, and videos. They also examine themes from antiquity to the present. The Exzellenzcluster Religion und Politik is Germany’s largest research network of its kind. It stands as the nation’s sole center dedicated to the study of religion among the German Excellence Clusters.
The Exzellenzcluster Religion und Politik der Universität Münster continues to be a vital center. It fosters dialogue and produces groundbreaking research. It shapes our understanding of the complex interplay between religion and politics. As we leave this place, consider how tradition and innovation constantly reshape our world.