It is manifesting itself in long suppressed needs, and inhibitions are being laid bare. After the utopian experiment of Communism, freedom must be restored to the imagination. Instead of emphasizing the collectivity and sovereignty of the State, greater stress must be placed on the sovereignty of the individual. On the way to a united Europe, there is a tendency in all of the countries east of the Elbe to ignore and omit their closest neighbors, a tendency which sometimes transforms itself into open rivalry. But there is no other way to the building of a pluralistic society than by focusing on the lot of ethnic and religious minorities in one's own country and on establishing better relations with neighboring countries.
Religion also has a tremendous role to play here.
In exhibiting fundamental ethical values, religion ought to stress that true patriotism means concern for life in harmony with neighbors and respect for every person. Peace excludes intolerance and callousness. The oppression and persecutions are over, but the contours of the Promised Land are not yet clearly visible. The opinion that the last four decades are lost years would mean a wasted life for many people. This is an indispensable condition for accelerating the integration of Europe, regaining one's own independence, and building a true pluralistic society.