Constitutional court rejects the application to remove the Judensau

Constitutional court rejects the application to remove the Judensau

In a current judgment of the Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe, an application was rejected to remove a controversial abuse. The decision was issued without any reason, which attracted the attention of many inclined ears. The plaintiff, Michael Düllmann, a member of a Jewish community, has been striving for legal clarification in this sensitive topic for years. The attempt at the Federal Court of Justice (BGH), which has so far failed in 2022, raises the questions about human dignity and religious freedom.

The objective plastic, a sandstone relief called "Judensau", has a long and painful story that goes back to 1290. It is located at a height of four meters on the outer facade of the town church in Wittenberg. It is a picture that is offensive and hurtful for many people because it represents a brown area of history. Düllmann now intends to bring the judgment of the Federal Constitutional Court to the European Court of Human Rights.

The controversial representations and the historical meaning

The relief shows a pig where people suck on the teats who are supposed to represent Jews. Such anti-Jewish representations date from the 13th century and are unfortunately not just an isolated case. Similar ridiculous pictures also exist on other churches, including the Cologne and Regensburg Cathedral and at the Dom zu Brandenburg. In the Middle Ages in particular, Jews should prevent these types of works of art from setting up in cities, and testify to a deeply rooted anti -Semitism.

In 1988, the parish in Wittenberg became active by having a floor slab and a stele installed to clarify the "testimony of Christian anti -Judaism". The community tries to distance itself from the hurtful content of the relief and has therefore made a significant contribution to the processing of the history. The BGH decided that the parish has successfully moved away from the disparaging content of the relief and converted the former shammal as a memorial.

The Richard Church is a controversial example that shows how deep anti-Semitism is anchored in historical art and what challenges are associated with using this story sensibly. Düllmann sees himself severely impaired himself by the relief in his human dignity and religious freedom. Such a view is not incomprehensible when you consider that many people of the Jewish community continue to suffer from the consequences of centuries of discrimination.

The persistent legal efforts by Düllmann are not just a personal matter; They also reflect a broader discourse on the importance of art and culture of remembrance in modern society. It is expected that this topic, which deals with the roots of anti -Semitism in German culture, will also be discussed at European level.

A look at the future

The persistent argument about the "Judensau" plastic makes it clear how important it is not to ignore these difficult topics. The case could lead to other communities check their relics from a critical perspective and underlines the importance of education and historical understanding. While Düllmann continues to act against the abuse, you can see a possible way in the approach of the parish.

Every decision in dealing with such content has the potential to promote social discussion about the role of art and understanding of history. The topic shows us that we have to learn from history and look into the future in order to counter similar discrimination and prejudices in society through education and openness.

The debate about the sandstone relief "Judensau" at the city church of Wittenberg reflects deeper social and historical questions that deal with anti -Semitism and its representation in public spaces. Such representations are not only works of art, but also certificates of the prevailing thinking patterns and prejudices in the respective time. In history, these pictures were often used to strengthen a negative perception of Jewish people in society and to be stigmatized.

The relief itself is an example of the widespread anti -Semitic propaganda of the Middle Ages, which was often found in churches and public buildings. These representations should not only be daunting, but also make people turn away from Jewish -friendly or tolerant attitudes. In a time frame that extends from the 13th to the 17th century, such representations can be found in many European countries. This type of art was considered a tool to reinforce prejudices and to mobilize the broad population against Jewish fellow citizens.

The legal framework and anti -Semitic representations

The legal disputes about relief increase the discussion about the limits of art and freedom of expression. The Federal Constitutional Court was not necessary to remove the relief, which underlines the position of the court in relation to the freedom of art. Laws that protect freedom of art and expression are often in a area of tension to protect minorities to protect the anti-discrimination laws that aim at. Opponents argue that the relief is no longer up -to -date and racist stereotypes perpetu, while others emphasize freedom of expression and artistic responsibility.

In Wittenberg, the parish has taken steps to put the relief in the context of the processing of anti -Semitism. The floor slab and the stele should inform passers -by about the importance of such representations and encourage a critical dialogue. This tried rehabilitation of the room referred to a constant examination of the past. The goal is not only to promote understanding of historical injustices, but also to recognize your own responsibility for the teaching of this story in the present.

connection with modern discussions about anti -Semitism

Current surveys and studies show that anti -Semitism is still a serious problem in Germany. According to a study by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation from 2021, 36% of those surveyed have indicated that they have already heard anti-Semitic statements. Such statistics show how important it is to deal with the topic and to offer a platform for education and education. Educational institutions and public forums play a crucial role in reducing prejudices and promoting respectful coexistence.

In the current social discussion, the connection between historical representations such as the Wittenberger relief and newly occurring anti -Semitism in social media and political space is also considered. This indicates the need to train prejudice -free thinking and recognize history in order to prevent repeated discrimination. The way into the future requires both the dialogue about unpleasant aspects of history and concrete measures against discriminatory behavior in society.