Pastor will not be intimidated

Pastor will not be intimidated

Symbolic image vaccine © Hendrik Schmidt

Because she spoke out in favor of vaccination in the ARD program "Wort zum Sonntag," the Mannheim pastor Ilka Sobottke has received hundreds of hate mails. Content: She works for the pharmaceutical industry and the incarnate.

Because she spoke out in favor of vaccination in the ARD program "Wort zum Sonntag," the Mannheim pastor Ilka Sobottke received hundreds of hate and vituperative comments. In the first three days alone after the broadcast of the report on 1. May she had received about 600 mails, Sobottke told the Evangelical Press Service (epd). Of which two thirds had been negative. She had expected opposition and rejection, but was shocked by the vehemence.

Not only by mail and in phone calls, but also on the Internet on Facebook and Twitter, the Protestant theologian was accused of an uncritical approach to vaccination or propaganda.

"We see ourselves in hell"

She was accused of mocking believers and working "for the devil": "See you in hell," someone wrote. She has also been called names as a lobbyist for pharmaceutical companies. A spectator announced his departure from the church.

Despite such attempts at intimidation and the "linguistic violence" of some texts, she will continue to speak out, Sobottke affirmed. She ames that this is a campaign steered by right-wingers and contrarians, and referred to corresponding videos on the Internet.

No will for discussion discernible

With most authors of such hate comments, no will for answers or a serious discussion is recognizable, said the media representative of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), Markus Brauer, after reading the mails. Apparently they feel oppressed and perceive the mere broadcast of a "Word on Sunday" as dictatorship of opinion. The goal is apparently intimidation.

Criminal relevance is being examined

The editors will not respond to insults. In the case of personal threats, she also always checks for criminal relevance. "We will exhaust all legal possibilities," Brauer told the epd. The editorial team received hateful comments not only about vaccination, but also about refugees, Muslims, gender and homosexuality.

In the four-minute broadcast, the Protestant theologian had promoted vaccination. She had pointed out that it was not only a matter of one's own health, but also that of one's fellow human beings. This can avoid much suffering and is "something fundamentally Christian".

"Wort zum Sonntag" has around 1.5 million viewers

With her contribution she had not wanted to discredit anyone, the pastor emphasized. The concerns of the vaccination opponents she takes seriously and wants to remain with them further in the discussion. She received support from other members of the audience, several colleagues and the Bishop of the Protestant Church in Baden, Jochen Cornelius-Bundschuh.

"Vaccination can protect human lives and is therefore an expression of charity," Cornelius-Bundschuh told the epd. This is the consensus in the Protestant church.

But this is not the end of the discussion about the sense and benefit of a Corona vaccination. Everyone is asked to form his or her own opinion. However, whoever sows hatred, ruthlessly attacks the other opinion or even threatens the person, crosses a line. This is unacceptable, said Cornelius-Bundschuh.

The "Word on Sunday" on Saturday evening reaches about 1.5 million viewers each week and sees itself as a "topical commentary from a Christian perspective" on the events of the week.

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Christina Cherry
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