Sils Nietzsche Colloquium: "Politics and Religion"

Description

Those who strive to separate religion and politics are increasingly on the defensive. The idea of the fight against evil, for example, which is supposed to be anchored in the right-wing faith, is no longer only found in political Islam, but increasingly also in liberal democracies, whether among esoteric conspiracy theorists or fundamentalists of all kinds. The findings include the return of debates about political theology that were long thought to be dead, as well as the horror images of a coming apocalypse in terms of climate, AI, war or pandemic. Against this backdrop, we would like to reread Nietzsche's Antichrist, his most radical examination of religion and its politics. The philologist from Basel had already declared that religions do not die: "they merely transfigure themselves". In Antichrist, this insight culminates in a sigh of relief: "Two millennia almost and not a single new god!" The Christian God, that "hybrid structure of decay consisting of zero, concept and contradiction", becomes the exemplary instrument of a seizure of power through fake news. From the good news, Paul fabricates an anti-gospel that falsifies the "Redeemer" "for the purposes of propaganda", "tyrannizes the masses" and "forms armies". This rhetoric of the revaluation of all values, taken to extremes in the Antichrist, is challenging. Careful reading should help us to better understand the difficult relationship between religion and politics, also with regard to the current situation.

The colloquium is open to the public and is aimed not only at specialists, but also at an interested audience in general.

The events - lectures, discussions, reading groups - can be attended individually.

The detailed program will be published in April 2026; reservations are welcome.

Highlights

• In-depth discussion of Nietzsche's "Antichrist" (1888)
• Examines the relationship between religion and politics in contemporary society
• Open to the public with a focus on philosophy and political theology

General Information

The Sils Nietzsche Colloquium explores the themes of politics and religion through Nietzsche's work, particularly "Antichrist." The event addresses current debates on political theology, fundamentalism, and the influence of religion on modern politics. It takes place at Hotel Waldhaus Spa in Sils / Segl Maria, Switzerland.

Location

Via Da Fex 3, 7514 Sils / Segl Maria, Schweiz

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