In conversation about peace

Bringing together people who deal with the topic of peace in very different professional or private ways - that is what the Evangelical Lutheran Missionary Society in Lower Saxony (ELM) wants to do with the new dialogue format "Menu of Encounter".

Since 2021, the ELM in Hermannsburg has been offering a pilgrimage route with an accompanying programme in the form of the Friedensort2GO. It is one of the eight "places of peace" of the regional church of Hanover. The "Menu of Encounter" was initiated by Ingrid Lüdemann, one of the responsible officers at the ELM, in order to create a platform where people can meet and share their thoughts on peace.

In the first edition, Olaf Gericke and Waldemar Rausch met at the "Auszeit" restaurant in Beckedorf for a discussion. With bruschetta, a main course and tartuffo to finish, they were each served questions that prompted an intensive dialogue.

Olaf Gericke is 54 years old, a lieutenant colonel in the German Armed Forces and a graduate engineer in aerospace engineering. He was born in Papua New Guinea to a missionary family. He is a committed evangelical Christian. Olaf Gericke served as a soldier in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Mali. He lives in Hermannsburg with a second home in Brussels, where he works at NATO headquarters in the area of partnership work.

Waldemar Rausch is 53 years old and a consultant for the Russian Federation and global sustainability at the Ev.-luth. Mission in Lower Saxony (ELM). The Protestant pastor did military service, then studied theology and was sent to Russia as a missionary for some time.
 

From your perspective, what is currently the greatest challenge to peace - in Germany and in the world?

Olaf Gericke: In my view, the rise of populism and the polarisation and division of society is the main threat to the hard-earned "peace alliances", including in Germany. Even if it is hard to believe, we are currently living in one of the most peaceful times in human history in terms of the number of war fatalities. Until 1945, there was a war on German soil on average every 30 years and a war within Europe every ten years. With NATO, 31 nations have joined forces for the first time in world history to guarantee the security of over a billion people.

Waldemar Rausch: Yes, the polarisation thing is really difficult. People like to see things in black and white. Talking about our security, our rule of law or even our prosperity being under threat can stir up fears and polarise people. But that doesn't get us anywhere. Populism and polarisation ultimately lead to war. And waging war means you have to drive people so far with propaganda that they end up in a predicament: "If I don't shoot, I'll be shot".

Olaf Gericke: Less than 1 per cent of people can actually kill a fellow human being. In the First World War or in Vietnam, 80 per cent of soldiers missed. The Dutch philosopher, Rutger Bregmann, described this in his book "The Good Man": Homo Sapiens is actually peace-loving.

Waldemar Rausch: But it takes strength not to go along with black-and-white thinking. Nevertheless, I think it's the right way: differentiate, complement one anothers vews and don't make things too simple and too easy too quickly.

What concrete steps are you currently taking professionally towards peace?

Olaf Gericke: At NATO, the military and political representatives of the 31 member states negotiate with each other every day in order to secure "world peace" and deter or combat aggressors. My department is endeavouring to bring more than 39 partner nations - most recently Finland, hopefully soon Sweden - into the "peace alliance", including Russia from 1995 until the end of 2021. Building relationships, especially between the individual players, is crucial. Our Nato leader, Jens Stoltenberg, is on the road more than 50 per cent of the time just to negotiate and build relationships. That's hard work negotiating between differing parties. Or can you imagine negotiating with (political leaders like) Orban or Erdogan? As long as we talk to each other, we won't go to war with each other. Ultimately, any war is pointless and could have been prevented.

Waldemar Rausch: It's like that in all areas of life - you can only get further by talking. And with respect. In December, I was at a teachers' forum in Hanover on the subject of peace, where we from ELM offered various workshops. The representative of the regional church for interreligious dialogue was also at a panel discussion and he explained the basic rules for dealing with interreligious dialogue. And one of these basic rules is "respect". Respect that the other person has different needs. This can be seen in food, for example. If you invite Muslims over and serve them something with pork, that has little to do with respect. This means that it is not only important to look at the similarities, but also the differences.

Can you imagine working in your counterpart's profession or that your counterpart works in your profession?

Waldemar Rausch: You would probably be quite good at preaching. From the impression I've gained of how you do your work, I don't think it would make a big difference who of us preaches a sermon. Basically, you are also trying to influence the system you are in to make the world a more peaceful place.

Olaf Gericke: As a pastor, you perhaps have the advantage of working directly on peace between people. However, I would find it difficult to have to do justice to over 3,000 parishioners all by myself. In the church, you have peace in mind, whereas at NATO we mainly look at or are sent to places where there is war.

Waldemar Rausch: But the Bundeswehr argues that it is concerned with peacekeeping. You are basically guarantors of peace.

Olaf Gericke: But ultimately we learn to kill; that's why I considered refusing military service in 1988. But back then it was the Cold War and in an emergency it's self-defence. That's why I found and still find military service morally justifiable, as we are ultimately prepared to sacrifice our lives for the community.

Waldemar Rausch: I didn't have the courage to refuse. I thought I couldn't do that to my father and my grandparents. In the German army, I then looked for the most peaceful niche and joined the paramedics and later became a musician in the army. I was very impressed by an instructor who was an avowed Christian. His way of performing and the atmosphere he created made him a servant of peace - so that also works in the Bundeswehr, the german army.

Olaf Gericke: In the Bundeswehr, we also try to convey a set of values that supports the community and the profession with the subjects "Life Skills Instruction" and "Political Education". In our society, the formerly dominant values of the Christian West have largely been transformed from "togetherness/for one another" to "me first". This is mainly due to the social media and growing polarisation in the society.

Waldemar Rausch: In terms of Christian values, it's a shame that the church has lost a lot of trust. The cover-up of sexual abuse, for example, is coming back to haunt churches.

Olaf Gericke: Yes, the church used to be a moral authority, but it no longer is. But the profession of a soldier is also viewed differently. If you walk around Hamburg in uniform, you still get funny looks or even stupid comments instead of recognition, as in other nations. Yet it is the only profession in which you have to be prepared to sacrifice your life for the community.

Waldemar Rausch: But that's not emphasised to the outside world. If you look at the advertising posters, the Bundeswehr is the greatest adventure you can have. I rather liked the slogan "citizen in uniform".

Olaf Gericke: I like the slogan "We serve Germany". That's a good thought.

What is your source of strength?

Olaf Gericke: Firstly God, secondly family, thirdly friends and staying physically fit - those are my sources of strength. I was always impressed by the American way of going into action: just before every American military operation started, the army chaplain was asked to come forward by the commanding officer: "Let us pray ..." - Prayer as the ultimate source of strength.

Waldemar Rausch: It's the same for me. I've also just gained another source of strength. On Friday mornings at 6.15 a.m., I meet online with six other people. It's called "Anchor Cells" and was initiated by the regional church. In the groups, you talk about how you're feeling, then we read a Bible text and pray together.

Olaf Gericke: Can anyone take part?

Waldemar Rausch: Yes, of course.

Olaf Gericke: That's cool, could you send me a link? I've been looking for a "mobile" Bible study group for a while.

How do you personally manage not to lose hope for peace?

Waldemar Rausch: For me, it has a lot to do with faith.

Olaf Gericke: Yes, for me too - and with positive thinking. Unfortunately, "Only bad news sells" dominates, and that affects us everywhere. There are so many good things in the world, but too little is reported about them.

Waldemar Rausch: At the beginning of our conversation, you said that it is only one per cent of people who can kill other people. Then the other 99 per cent give me hope. And peace in the biblical sense of "shalom" is more than just "no war". Peace means living in a state of security, of safety, of being cared for. In holistic terms, it is a life in harmony under God's blessing.

Olaf Gericke: I believe that homo sapiens never lose hope of this peace. The good thing for us Christians is that we expect the ultimate peace in paradise. That's a great support.

Waldemar Rausch: But on the other hand, Jesus says: "With me peace comes into the world". That sets a different standard. Loving our enemies is nothing natural, it contradicts our feelings. If I take being a Christian seriously, then hope does not die in the end, but celebrates resurrection.

 

Editor's note: This format offers participants the opportunity to express their personal views on the topic, which do not necessarily have to coincide with those of the ELM.