Victima versus Sacrificium. Ambivalenz des Opfers aus der Perspektive der Innsbrucker Dramatischen Theologie

Abstract

In contemporary discussions on cultural, political, religious and theological issues, an important place is occupied not only by the victim, but the ambivalence that is associated with it. Victims often become offenders. They refer to the fact of being a victim, that justifies this type of behavior. It seems that there is no way of „diabolical circle” offender-victim-offender. The Dramatic Theology which was developed in Innsbruck gives an opportunity to find a way out of this circle. It uses the results of René Girard’s mimetic theory. It is important to distinguish between the mythical logic of paganism, in which the process of sacralization takes place, and the biblical tradition which condemns this logic. Christ preaches the Gospel (Good News) of his Father who is entirely free of violence. As a result he himself becomes an object of people’s aggression. Without compulsion he responds with no violence and in this way he transforms the destructive forces of sacral violence in loving devotion to the Father.