The Christian Peace Conference as a Result of Christian and Political Negotiations in a Socialist State
Abstract
This study deals with the analysis of how an international ecumenical organization functioned and acted during the Cold War. To provide a concrete example, the Christian Peace Conference (CPC) was chosen, which functioned from 1958 to 2000 (but in reality only until 1989) and was founded in socialist Czechoslovakia.
The aim of this thesis is to show the volatility of the limits of autonomous action and influence of the communist government on the church milieu. This is illustrated through organizational negotiations, papers, and other presentations at the meetings of the CPC.
At the same time, the research presents the philosophical-theological interface between the organizers and the protagonists of the communist regime, specifically the kind of Christian-Marxist dialogue that was developed within the organization. Its most important theme was the role of churches in modern secular society and the social responsibility of Christians in international affairs.
Along with this, possible motivations for participants to take part in the Christian Peace Conference are outlined in the text. The sources show that the opportunity to meet other Christians from all over the world, especially across the Iron Curtain, was probably the most important for them.