A smiling Maria with her fingernails painted blue: is the reason why we met with the religious scholar Dorothea Lüddeckens (56) at the Church of All Saints in Zurich to talk about what moves and touches us at Christmas.
Why did you choose this Maria?
Dorothea Lüddeckens: Portraits of Mary are often serious and often sad. What touches me about this Maria is that she radiates sincerity and smiles. Even Baby Jesus looks a little mischievous. And I love the closeness with which Maria holds her child in her arms and protects her. This maternal bond brings the feminine as a counterpoint to the normally father god.
What do you think of Maria’s blue nails?
I was wondering about this at first. Until he learns from the priest that the wooden figure’s hands were secretly decorated with nail polish by a visitor. Suffers from mental illness and has been here several times. I think it’s good that these scars are allowed to remain. It shows that this is a living place open to all people and that Maria is triggering something. But it has been behind glass ever since.
Virgin Mary, what does it matter?
Few things are historically reliable, but what matters is its meaning: this child she has given birth to is something very special because she is directly connected to God. It is extraordinary that he is a human being, and it touches many to this day.
Why is that?
Because God becomes very visible and tangible. He does not stay away from the people, he becomes himself.
Jesus healed with his touch and made the blind see!
What makes these stories special is that Jesus touched people in a very special way.
aspect?
Jesus clearly had no fear of contact. It also touched the sick, lepers, and people on the fringes of society. It didn’t just improve, it included everyone.
Why is touch so important?
There is also the story of the disciple Thomas. He doubted the resurrection of Jesus, but was able to believe it when he touched it. So it’s not just about touching, it’s also about understanding. Young children touch everything to understand. The sense of touch develops in the embryo during the eighth week of pregnancy, it is our first sense. And this is usually the last one, even though we can no longer see, speak or hear, we still feel a touch.
Many churches today are offering to confiscate, can this work miracles?
If a child falls, we take it in our arms or put our hands on the aching place and sing. Touching releases endorphins, and there is research showing that people with more physical contact are less likely to get sick. It seems that this has an effect on the immune system, which does not mean that one can immediately cure diseases. But it does show that touch is a basic human and existential need.
It’s not just about the physical, it’s also about the emotional touch. Why don’t so many people go to church at Christmas, otherwise all year round?
Because it’s part of our culture. And even non-believers in the traditional sense can be impressed by the story of Jesus’ birth. It is about a family in a dramatic situation, wandering around in the middle of the night looking for a safe place. We don’t live this existentially so threateningly here in Switzerland, but everyone knows that we have to come to a protected and safe place. You want to be in this warm manger with Meryem, Joseph and the animals.
Although it is not particularly cold in Palestine!
Yes, but here with us. And it fits the image of the protected resting place. There is singing, there is celebration, and you want to feel safe in a community.
It’s a real pity that you don’t find this more often in church. Last year there were more resignations among Catholics than ever before.
This applies to both national churches. This is a social development and is associated with a dynamic that the churches themselves can only influence to a limited extent. For example, there is no longer any social pressure to go to church on Sundays. That’s also a positive thing, a freedom when people no longer feel obligated to be involved in something that doesn’t make much sense to them personally.
What does this mean for our society?
Even if they have fewer members, churches play an important role – they’re located where most people don’t look. That is, in the social sphere, with the homeless, with refugees or in prisons.
Do you only think about your faith when you feel bad?
You do not suddenly become religious, even when you die it is not necessary. There are many people who do very well without their traditional beliefs. When it comes to existential questions, our society now offers much more than just Christian answers: there are various options in the spiritual or therapeutic field, you can go to healers or psychologists, and you can also find solace in philosophy.
Yoga classes, mindfulness or meditation are popular. Is this the new form of religion?
There are religious roots in it that tend to go under spirituality later on, often without anyone noticing. With all these physical and mental exercises, one can experience as in a church service. Today there is a great need for autonomy and individuality. This can lead to isolation and loneliness, and a longing for community arises. But there is no proximity at the push of a button.
Unless you allow yourself to be embraced by an Indian saint like Amma, he has embraced millions of people, is that a bit like Jesus?
But I’ve never met myself. But I know people who have a very special hug for them. It is important that Amma is perceived as a motherly personality that conveys security and trust. It feels like an innocent touch.
Should there be more contact in churches?
This is a sensitive topic, after all, there is a lot of abuse in the religious context. Not only with gurus in distant lands, but also in our Christian churches.
we have MeToo and the Pandemic behind us, how does that affect physical intimacy?
Self-determination is important. It should not be forgotten that touching has two sides, it is possible not only to caress but also to hit. A lot of things are being redefined right now, for example, with the “Only yes means yes” vote in the National Council. And in the future, children should have a legal right to a non-violent upbringing. Covid has made a lot of people nervous in the long run, so you need to find new forms of touch.
Why are you studying religion?
Students have different interests, for many it is about social relevance. For example, religion is extremely influential politically, especially globally. The war rhetoric in Russia is largely religious, India has a Hindu nationalist government, and Trump would probably never have gotten this far in the United States without his ties to evangelicals. Religion may seem less important on a personal level, but often it simply changes form.
What attracts you about the subject?
The diversity of religious traditions where there are so many differences and yet so similar. I was also fascinated by things that you might not see as religious at first glance. Just like the FCZ’s south curve. I think a lot of religious experiences were made there. Even little daily rituals, conspiracy theories, or Netflix shows have a lot to do with religion. But many people today talk more about spirituality.
What is the religion of football?
It is this experience of a very dense community that goes beyond the individual. You come out of your ego prison, you cheer for something or you suffer, you hug, you sing along with enthusiasm to cheer the players. And a fan remains a fan even if the team stubbornly loses. It is about an experience that transcends boundaries, beyond one’s own little daily life.
So you don’t need a church for that?
There are no temples or mosques. It is not necessary to be a traditional believer to have religious or spiritual experiences. Things that transcend ourselves can touch people in many ways. Some experience the feeling of connection at the top of a mountain. A certain openness is important for this, a willingness not to protect oneself in all matters, perhaps even a little bit of vulnerability. Then sensory impressions are added, whether it’s nature, music, or the proximity of other people.
How do you personally experience this?
As a religious scholar, it’s important to be able to distance yourself from your own experiences. However, in my research trips, I got to know many different traditions and I was allowed to participate in many rituals. Religion touches me wherever it has a positive effect on people, and I find it frightening how much mischief can be made with it.