Rules for living together

Dilek (the Muslim girl)
 
“In the evening, a meeting of all three groups was called to talk about the rules for living together. We agreed not to eat pork during the time together and to keep meat and dairy products separate.

Alcohol was a big problem: Muslims are not allowed to drink alcohol or to keep company with those who are drinking alcohol. Thus it was resolved, that those who wanted to drink alcohol would not do it in our presence.”

Genrich (a Jewish boy)
 
“It quickly became clear that we Jews had a common basis with the Muslims, because both religions have clear rules of conduct. …
I got the impression that the Christians were less willing to assert their position. I don't know whether that is due to their uncertainty or rather to their upbringing. It's hard to say.”

Judith (a Christian girl)
 
“For us, the rules were understandable – they are explained in the holy scriptures of the two religions. But then the question was raised among us Christians, whether we as a group should let ourselves be “worn down” between the two other religions and be forced to give up our own style of life.

I and several others believed that we should also assert our standpoint. But the overwhelming majority thought we should hold back because of our past history and the religious wars.”

Thorsten (a Christian boy)
 
“We were surprised by the rigidity with which the Jews and Muslims asserted their standpoints with respect to kosher cooking and prohibition of alcohol. This encounter gave rise to heated discussions on our part: 'How should we present ourselves? Should we let them dominate us and our way of living, in the kitchen, for instance, just because we are more flexible and don't have as many rules as the other religions?'”

Igor (a Christian boy)
 
“We Christians at first had the feeling that the Jews and Muslims came up and said how things should be. The Jews say: 'We want to eat kosher, we want to keep Shabbat. There's no room for discussion; that's our Law. If we can't keep it, we'll have to leave.' The Muslims say: 'There'll be no alcohol, as long as we are present!' These were very hard positions. …
For our part, in Germany and as Christians, we often had the feeling that we are the ones who always have to be nice to the others and not to offend anybody. However, in the discussions with the Jews and Muslims, I learned that it is important to assert one's own standpoint, not only for oneself but also because the others expect it.”