Global Ethic Foundation Moves into Hans Küng's House. Once Catholicism is abandoned, a global ethic remains.

 

The rewards of progressive theology

In the garden, he kept a statue not of Jesus, His Mother or the Saints 

but of 

HIMSELF

The Global Ethic Foundation in Tübingen is moving into the former home of the renowned Swiss theologian Hans Küng, its "spiritual father." Managing Director Lena Zoller is convinced: Küng's idea of a global ethic has a global presence – and remains highly relevant to society.

"A place full of history becomes a place with a future," is the headline of the Global Ethic Foundation's move news on its website. It is moving into the former home of its founder and professor, Hans Küng. "Here, where the world-renowned theologian and philosopher lived, researched, and worked, a new place is being created to promote interreligious dialogue, social cohesion, and value-based democratic education," it continues.

Hans Küng has bequeathed his house to the Foundation

Hans Küng bequeathed his house in Tübingen to the Global Ethic Foundation throughout his life. After his death in April 2021, the question arose as to what should happen to his home, said foundation director Lena Zoller. The idea of using his former home and place of work as the foundation's new headquarters was a compelling one.

The house was carefully renovated. "The living room with its bookcases, desk, and seating area remained in its original state. It is intended to serve the foundation team and our guests as a space for encounters, inspiration, and remembrance; as a living place of global ethos where past and future are connected," said Zoller. "With the new meeting location, we are consciously connecting with our roots. I think this is a beautiful, visible symbol of continuity and renewal at the same time."

Raised in Sursee, Professor in Tübingen

Hans Küng, who grew up in Sursee, Lucerne, developed the idea of a global ethic as the basis for global peace, published several books on the subject, and convinced leading figures of his belief.

In 1995, he played a key role in establishing the Global Ethic Foundation in Tübingen. The Swiss native's academic career brought him to this German city. From 1960 until his retirement in 1996, he taught as a professor of theology at the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, most recently in ecumenical theology. In 1996, the Global Ethic Foundation Switzerland was founded, the equivalent of Tübingen. In Austria, the Global Ethic Austria initiative was founded.

All three organizations are committed to spreading the Global Ethic idea in German-speaking countries, says Lena Zoller. "Global Ethic is a project of hope," she is convinced. "And we need that today more than ever."

Hans Küng was convinced that peaceful coexistence in diversity is only possible on the basis of shared values, a global ethic. His books on the subject have been translated into numerous languages.

Lena Zoller, Managing Director of the Global Ethic Foundation in Tübingen

"Hans Küng is the spiritual father and founder of the Global Ethic idea and thus also of the Global Ethic Foundation," says Zoller. "His work forms the foundation of our work." And it still guides the actions of her foundation today. "For us, this means promoting interreligious understanding and democratic education, providing concrete educational work, working on a scientifically sound basis, and at the same time remaining socially relevant."

A mandate

For Zoller, a global ethic is "not just a vision, but an active mandate to shape it." The managing director describes herself as a "passionate ambassador of the Global Ethic idea." She emphasizes: "Working on shared values, dialogue, and a more peaceful, just world gives me meaning and hope."

Zoller doesn't see the trend toward secularization as an obstacle to the global ethic idea. "On the contrary," she says. "The global ethic idea is aimed at religious and non-religious people alike. It's about shared values that unite – regardless of religious beliefs. In this respect, the vision of a global ethic remains valid even in secular contexts and is even becoming more relevant." Furthermore, she points out that ideological diversity is currently increasing. "This requires spaces for dialogue and a common set of values. This is precisely where the global ethic comes in: The vision builds bridges between religious and secular worldviews by focusing on common fundamental ethical values."

The global ethic idea is about shared values that unite – regardless of religious beliefs. "In this respect, the vision of a global ethic remains valid even in secular contexts and is even becoming more relevant," says Zoller.

Beyond admiration

However, Hans Küng not only earned admiration throughout his life, he also experienced difficulties. The theologian, who intervened in the infallibility debate, had his teaching licence revoked by Rome in 1979. As he was a professor at the state University of Tübingen, the university created a new chair for him - in ecumenical theology.

Source

From their website.

WHAT DRIVES US?

OUR MISSION

In his book “The Global Ethic Project” (1990) Hans Küng described the global ethic concept thus:

“Without a basic consensus concerning certain values, norms and attitudes, living together in a humane society becomes impossible no matter whether the community is large or small. A modern democracy also cannot function without such a basic consensus which continually questions itself.”

That is why we point out ways in which these values can be lived and experienced – in the private sphere as well as the public sphere and in politics, the economy and culture– over and above the boundaries of religion and ideology.

WHAT WE DO

FOLLOWING KÜNG:

To implement the concept of global ethic Küng sees the following as necessary:

A dialogue between religion and culture, especially concerning commonalities in ethic.

Value-based education across cultures.. Even children have to learn that living together peacefully is, on all levels, dependent on observing basic rules. No society can function without a common system of values.

Ethical and intercultural competence in commercial companies.. People involved in international competition are, more than ever, dependent on cross-cultural norms.

International politics anchored in justice and ethic: Cooperation and integration instead of military confrontation.