A Theological-Ethical Evaluation of the Christian-Muslim Dialogue in the Swiss Army Chaplaincy Matthias Inniger Thesis submitted for the degree Philosophiae Doctor in Ethics at the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University Promoter: Prof Dr DB Evans Co-Promoter: Prof Dr JM Vorster April 2016 Abstract This study addresses the research subject of Christian-Muslim dialogue in the Swiss Army Chaplaincy. Because of demographic changes, a growing number of Muslims are serving in the Swiss Army. As a result, the Christian chaplaincy is challenged by increasing demands regarding Christian-Muslim dialogue. Since specific theological- ethical research addressing Christian-Muslim dialogue in army chaplaincies is lacking as well as specific evaluation regarding the experiences of Muslim Swiss Army personnel, this study aims to close this gap by developing approaches based on a Swiss Protestant perspective. An extended evaluation among Muslim Swiss Army personnel and case studies in other national army chaplaincies—both based on qualitative research methods—confirm that Christian-Muslim dialogue in the Swiss Army Chaplaincy is inadequate and should be reconsidered. Specific needs and proposals regarding improvement of this situation are presented as a result of this field research. The evaluation is dependent on specific criteria, namely the theological- ethical dialogue principles that have previously been identified by an in-depth study of documents considering the context of Swiss Protestantism. These broadly accepted principles focus on an explicit commitment to interreligious dialogue, on emphasising commonalities, on respecting other religions, on empowering religious minorities, and on bridge-building activities. The study aims to improve the current inadequate Christian-Muslim dialogue in the Swiss Army Chaplaincy by encouraging the implementation of these principles. It recommends that the Swiss Federation and the Swiss Army should contribute to the development of a multifaith Swiss Army Chaplaincy that would benefit Swiss society as a whole. It suggests that this multifaith chaplaincy will promote interreligious dialogue in general, that assigned chaplains will care for all army personnel regarding day-to-day issues, and that access to professional faith-specific support will be provided in a few clearly defined cases. The carefully selected and well-trained chaplains must be respectfully committed to interreligious dialogue and to the empowerment of all personnel. The study does not lose sight of the main aim of this chaplaincy, which is the spiritual guidance and welfare of all army personnel. It aims to encourage Swiss Protestant churches and chaplains to contribute together with their ecumenical and interreligious partners to the success of this multifaith chaplaincy in which all religions will be able to collaborate in such a manner that all army personnel feel at home. ii Key Words Army Chaplaincy, Multifaith Chaplaincy, Interreligious Dialogue, Multicultural Society, Religious Rights, Spiritual Care, Swiss Muslims, Swiss Protestant Church, Switzerland, Theological-Ethical Principles Acknowledgements Sincere thanks and acknowledgements are due to Prof Dr Byron Evans and to Prof Dr Koos Vorster who provided valuable assistance during the course of this research by giving guidance and offering helpful feedback on all issues of this thesis. Moreover, special thanks are due to Mrs Peggy Evans, Mrs Tienie Buys, Mrs Hester Lombard, and to Dr Stuart Rochester, who patiently and attentively provided guidance throughout each step of the research process. Furthermore, thanks are due to Mrs Amira Hafner-Al-Jabaji, Dr Lilo Roost Vischer, Mr. Urs Aebi, Dr Farhad Afshar, Dr Chris Hewer, Mr. Martin Koelbing, Mr. Hans Luck, Mr. Mustafa Memeti, Dr Hisham Maizar, Mr Stefan Junger, Mr. Mathias Tanner, Dr Andreas Tunger-Zanetti and Mr. Martin Weder, who are only a few of the many national and international experts and colleagues who facilitated the progress of this thesis. Included in these thanks are my family and my friends for their patience and encouragement. I will always remember their efforts on my behalf with deep gratitude. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................. 11 2.0 ANALYSIS OF THE SWISS PROTESTANT TRADITION REGARDING THE CHRISTIAN-MUSLIM DIALOGUE .............. 16 2.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 16 2.2 Theological-Ethical Statements ....................................................................... 18 2.2.1 The Official Affirmation of the Christian-Muslim Dialogue ............................. 18 2.2.2 Discussion on this Official Position ................................................................... 21 2.3 Characteristics of Swiss Protestant Dialogue Tradition ............................... 23 2.3.1 A Survey............................................................................................................. 23 2.3.2 Building Bridges ................................................................................................ 25 2.3.3 The Established Dialogue .................................................................................. 27 2.3.4 The Close Cooperation ....................................................................................... 29 2.4 Similar Challenges in All Chaplaincies .......................................................... 31 2.5 The Current Study ........................................................................................... 33 2.5.1 Existing Studies .................................................................................................. 33 2.5.2 The Contribution of This Study ......................................................................... 35 2.6 Summary ........................................................................................................... 36 3.0 THEOLOGICAL-ETHICAL DIALOGUE PRINCIPLES IN ACCORDANCE WITH SWISS PROTESTANT TRADITION ...... 38 3.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 38 3.2 The Commitment to Dialogue ......................................................................... 40 3.3 Unifying Commonalities .................................................................................. 42 3.4 Respect .............................................................................................................. 46 3.5 Empowerment .................................................................................................. 49 3.6 Building Bridges ............................................................................................... 52 3.7 Discussion of the Principles ............................................................................. 55 3.8 Summary ........................................................................................................... 62 iv 4.0 THE CHRISTIAN-MUSLIM DIALOGUE IN OTHER NATIONAL ARMY CHAPLAINCIES (CASE STUDIES)..................................... 64 4.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 64 4.2 International Perspectives ............................................................................... 67 4.2.1 The Chaplaincy Model of the Armed Forces of The Netherlands ..................... 67 4.2.2 The Chaplaincy Model of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina ........ 69 4.2.3 The Chaplaincy Model of the Armed Forces of Canada .................................... 72 4.2.4 Appraisal ............................................................................................................ 74 4.3 The Experts’ Evaluation of the Theological-Ethical Principles ................... 79 4.3.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 79 4.3.2 General Response to the Dialogue Principles .................................................... 80 4.3.3 The Implementation of the Principles in Other Army Chaplaincies .................. 80 4.3.4 Discussion on Specific and Additional Principles ............................................. 84 4.4 Summary and Restatement of the Crucial Principles .................................. 86 5.0 EVALUATION OF THE CHRISTIAN-MUSLIM DIALOGUE IN THE CONTEXT OF THE SWISS ARMY CHAPLAINCY ............. 89 5.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 89 5.2 Approaches to the Evaluation ......................................................................... 91 5.2.1 Preliminary Remarks ......................................................................................... 91 5.2.2 The Evaluator ..................................................................................................... 92 5.2.3 Consideration of the Evaluation Subject ............................................................ 93 5.2.3.1 Preliminary Remarks ......................................................................................... 93 5.2.3.2 Regarding the Manifold Dimensions of This Dialogue .................................... 93 5.2.3.3 Regarding Christian and Muslim Army Personnel ........................................... 96 5.2.3.4 Regarding Relevant Documents ...................................................................... 100 5.2.4 Methodological