On June 23rd at 12.30 p.m. on ORF 2 and on ORF ON
Vienna (OTS) – Sandra Szabo will present the following articles in the ORF religious magazine “Orientation” on Sunday, June 23, 2024, at 12:30 p.m. on ORF 2 and on ORF ON:
Fate instead of God: Faith as a personal kit
People in Austria are still interested in religion, but differently than they were a few years ago. While only 22 percent of the population now believes in God, the majority of those surveyed believe in a predetermined fate or in the power of the universe. These are the first tendencies of a study that was carried out by the University of Vienna as part of the ORF focus “What does Austria believe?” Surprisingly, this belief in fate can be reconciled with the feeling of personal freedom. Faith seems to be becoming more and more a personal kit of contradictory contents. Peter Beringer asked how this fits together.
Baptism on the Danube: New ways to celebrate rituals
Barefoot in the water in the gown: The baptism ceremony that some Protestant pastors celebrated last weekend with more than 20 candidates – children, young people and adults – on the Old Danube was more than unusual. The festival should be low-threshold, unconventional and close to nature. It should be aimed at people who have little use for a church interior and strict liturgy. The celebration was integrated into an open-air church service and a picnic on the beach. Established churches are also trying to find new ways to celebrate rituals in order to reach more people, reports Sandra Szabo.
Difficult situation: violence against minorities in India
India, the world’s most populous country, recently voted. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party may have missed an absolute majority, but he is certain of another term in office. Modi has been in power for ten years. Even though India is a secular state, it is increasingly turning the country into a Hindu state. Religious minorities are oppressed, and violence against Muslims, Christians and other religious communities is not uncommon. Eva Pöcksteiner spoke to representatives of minorities in New Delhi.
Jewish life: Unknown side of the Salzkammergut
The European Capital of Culture “Bad Ischl Salzkammergut 2024” dedicates one of its focal points to Jewish life in the Salzkammergut. It is widely known that Bad Ischl was a popular summer resort for Jewish artists, writers, composers and painters. However, the fact that there was a Jewish population in places like Ebensee and Gmunden was kept secret for decades and is only now coming to light again. Gundi Lamprecht went looking for clues in the Salzkammergut.