Konfirmation und Jugendweihe: Eine Verhältnisbestimmung aus praktisch-theologischer Perspektive

The »Jugendweihe«, an atheistic ritual for young people, was established by the GDR government as a substitute for confirmation. It is still popular among people in the eastern part of Germany. In this article, the author compares both rites of passage, »Jugendweihe« and confirmation, from an ideological and theological point of view, and describes what motivates people to take part in one of these, showing that what both of them have in common is the confirmation of one's own identity in the ceremonial presentation of the person.