Das Mediale

Myths and fairy tales, religious biographies and legends, shamanic voyages beyond and priestly rituals, the architecture of religious buildings, the philosophy of religions of romanticists, the sensitive analysis of phenomenologist? s of religion and the critical analysis of sociologists reaching from functionalism to systemic theory all refer to something common in religions. In the variety of manifestations a general structure can be recognised: the medial. The medial proves to be the object of religious studies. It represents the unity in religion whilst acknowledging the differences and distinctive features. The religious manifestations come from a sphere of original unity (the holy), diverge into two poles (the holy - the profane) and strive for renewed integration (the medial). Thus religion can be analysed as a process of exchange between the poles holy and profane. Religious experience is possible wherever these spheres permeate.