Introduction and History of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD): The Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) is a federation of 20 Lutheran, Reformed, and United Protestant regional churches. It is one of the largest Christian organizations in Germany , representing approximately 19.7 million members as of recent estimates. The EKD serves as an umbrella organization rather than a centralized authority , with each regional church maintaining autonomy in governance and theology. Historical Background: 1. Formation (1948): The EKD was founded in 1948 in the aftermath of World War II to unify Germany’s Protestant churches , which were fragmented due to historical denominational divisions and the challenges of the Nazi era. 2. World War II and the Nazi Era: During the Third Reich , parts of the German Protestant Church aligned with Nazi ideology , forming the "German Christians" movement . However, other groups, such as the Confessing Church, resisted Nazi interference in...
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