Leberecht Uhlich
Johann Jacob Markus Leberecht Uhlich ( born February 27, 1799 in Köthen (Anhalt), † March 23, 1872 in Magdeburg ) was a theologian, founder of the Friends of Light and co-founder of the free religious movement.
Life
Training
Born the son of a tailor couple Johann Christlieb Leberecht Uhlich and Mary Elizabeth Heitmann L.Uhlich first attended in his hometown school. His family circumstances were easy, although it through their employment with the noble family Pfister allowed his parents an insight into the grand world. Even at school he came in contact with the formulated rationalism of the Enlightenment ( Immanuel Kant). A school essay entitled " On the difference of Catholicism and Protestantism " ( City Archives Magdeburg ) shows the influence of rationalism has taken on him. Uhlich studied from May 1817 Theology at the University of Halle, which he had chosen for their focus on the theological rationalism. He gave his attention there, especially the professors Julius August Ludwig Wegscheider (1771-1849), Wilhelm Gesenius (1786-1842) and August Hermann Niemeyer ( 1754-1828 ).
Pastor in Diebzig and Pömmelte
Uhlich then went back to his home town of Köthen, was here from 1820 to 1824 worked as a teacher. In 1824 he was then in the near Diebzig (Anhalt) his first job as a pastor. After the passage of Duke Ferdinand of Anhalt- Köthen to Catholicism Uhlich known clearly to Protestantism. Since then he had not expected a promotion, he joined the Prussian State Church and became pastor in 1827 Pömmelte. Here was his daughter, who later became a writer and women's rights activist, Clara Uhlich Wilhelmine, born. He was there a popular and dedicated priest, who was kept even more for a Pietists on his commitment. In public, he was virtually unknown. He organized well-attended evening Bible studies. Listeners were free to appeal to all religious and church-political issues.
Establishment of the Friends of Light
His, however, actually rationalist conception of faith brought him into opposition to the widespread pietism. In connection with the Magdeburg Bilderstreit in which the rationalist also pastor Wilhelm Franz Sintenis (1794-1859) suffered harsh disciplinary measures, Uhlich founded on 29 June 1841 in Gnadau the Association of Protestant friends, which was called the Friends of Light. The first club was founded with 15 other pastors as internal church opposition won soon also among lay very strong influence and became a mass movement. Especially through the use Uhlich emerged within a few years in the Prussian province of Saxony, but also in other regions, local associations of light friends. Since 1842 Uhlich also issued the leaves for Christian edification.
In the remote past of the German March revolution of 1848, the club became increasingly political. Under Gustav Adolf Wislicenus from Halle ( Saale) formed within the club a democratically - actionistic wings. Although Uhlich had concerns prior to the civil and ecclesiastical reaction, he sided with Wislicenus. In various brochures Uhlich was accused thereupon to be a eidbrüchiger theologian who have already left Christianity. Against itself Uhlich struggled in his work Confessions from the year 1845. He summed up there its liberal, rationalist attitude together. The work influenced the Protestant Provincial Synod of 1844 and the Prussian General Synod of 1846 significantly.
This debate gave the movement another boost. At meetings in 1845 Uhlich partly spoke before several 1000 people. Against this background, on 10 August 1845 prohibiting the meetings of the Friends of Light in Prussia.
Pastor at St. Catherine's Church in Magdeburg
Supporters of the Friends of Light movement within the Magdeburg citizenship then put through against the church leadership that Uhlich was appointed to the vacant position on the second preacher of Magdeburg St. Catherine's Church from 1 October 1845. Uhlich used the forum to him as given stronger criticism of the Prussian church and state system. His sermons enjoyed great popularity. The church was often crowded and enthusiastic audience was the part not able to receive.
Uhlich's sermons and faith
Uhlich's success was also due to its ideological, populist language. He also was not limited to the citation of biblical passages, but drew examples from the lives of everyday zoom. Content did Uhlich at several points in a rationalistic way of the existing Church doctrine from. So according to him no redemption was made by the death of Jesus. Jesus was just a man and not the son of God for him. He also denied the miracles described in the New Testament and declared it with natural events.
Impeachment
As in his time in Pömmelte organized Uhlich, who was also involved heavily in the local community life, starting in October 1846 in his private rooms called evening meetings. Because of the oppositional tendencies of these gatherings were banned already on 20 December 1846 by the state, however, with the condition to lead any church policy discussions later readmitted. Uhlich responded with a greater emphasis on his views. There was a constant disregard for the church liturgy. The existing conflict with the ecclesiastical consistory under Konsistorialpräsident Carl Friedrich Göschel was so aggravated. End of 1846, the church leadership against Uhlich decided to proceed, it was initiated a disciplinary investigation. Uhlich was asked his lectures, religious beliefs explain the deviations from the prescribed liturgy. It was only after several reminders came Uhlich after the prompt. Was then the Easter sermon of 1847 is of particular importance. Uhlich preached here, according to common rationalist view that there had been at the death of Jesus only an apparent death. Since the deviations from the liturgy continued, was on September 13, 1847, the impeachment Uhlich because of " gross violation against the church order." Large sections of the population support Uhlich. For fear of riots that took place in the absence of impeachment Uhlich from Magdeburg. As Uhlich arrived back in the town's railway station he was greeted by 10,000 people and led to his apartment. Liberal councilor requested the award of honorary citizenship to Uhlich. Mayor August Wilhelm Francke refused, however. The church elders, town councilor and magistrate of the city sat down with the king Friedrich Wilhelm IV for a repeal of this Decision, but without success. The king had mitbetrieben the dismissal itself in the background.
Preacher of the Free Commune Magdeburg
After the negative decision was made famous became effective on November 29, 1847 112 people at a time from the Prussian state church. They formed the Free Commune Magdeburg and asked Uhlich the position as a minister to adopt. Then Uhlich also explained his withdrawal from the national church and became a preacher of the free community. Beginning of 1848 were among this community already at 8,000 people. It was thus created the largest free church in Germany. By Konsistorialpräsident Göschel and Chief Ludwig von Kamptz was between religion and state side trying to counteract the municipality drastic measures. This led to a further inflaming the tense atmosphere in the city, with the result that on 15-16. March 1848 in Magdeburg, the revolution began.
Symbol of the March Revolution
Uhlich father became the regional determinate to moderation symbol of the revolution. On March 18, 1848 Uhlich but was made an honorary citizen of Magdeburg. Also the town of Haldenleben made him an honorary citizen. For the circle Neuhaldensleben Uhlich belonged to the Prussian National Assembly. Uhlich sat here for a democratic constitutional monarchy, and has been attributed to the left center. Although Uhlich thus strove strong political and social changes, he refused radical and violent actions.
After the dissolution of Parliament, he returned to Magdeburg. He joined together with colleagues from the outside community to the body established to ward off the counterrevolution association for the protection of people's rights.
Work and faith after failure of the revolution
The Free church had yet radicalized under the second preacher Henry axis. However, even Uhlich put gradually his faith in a personal God and from immortality. He represented a religion of pure humanity.
After the failure of the revolution Uhlich collected money for escaped to Switzerland comrades. The community and also Uhlich were subjected to severe repression. Uhlich was constantly accused of nothings. In a first trial for high treason, he was acquitted. However, it was followed by 15 more processes that ended in part with cash or imprisonment.
Uhlich supported with its private, just inherited the fortune free community to build such a community center. The community, however, was in 1856 after protracted court cases banned as a political coup club. Although the church has been re-founded in 1859, but could not connect to their meaning from the Vormärztagen. 1861 counted 1090 members.
Uhlich sat down in 1859 for the establishment of the League of Freireligösen communities. Although impoverished, he remained popular and was also invited on lecture tours through Europe.
He has authored more diverse religious and educational treatises and engaged in education and workers' education associations. He was Chairman of the Workers' Educational Association Germania since 1867.
He died in 1872 after a short illness.
Burial and ceremony
His funeral was held at the North Cemetery Magdeburg Magdeburg, among many dignitaries. The city of Magdeburg named in his honor as a road Uhlichstraße.
Works (selection)
- Confessions of 1845
- Ten years in Magdeburg 1845 - 1855, 1855
- Little Handbook of free religion, 1859
- Letters on freedom of religion. - Cologne: Selbstverl. and others, 1865. Digitized edition of the University and State Library Dusseldorf
- Described his life by himself, 1872