Self-Marginalization of Anabaptists. "Segregation" as theological concept and social practice among the Anabaptists of the 16th and 18th centuries

The project examines the genesis, argumentative development and social implementation of the self-marginalisation of the Anabaptist groups and later of the Mennonites between 1527 and the assimilation and migration processes of the 18th century. Shortly after the emergence of the movement, Anabaptist groups reacted to the onset of violent persecution of the movement with a consistent separation from their environment in the "Schleitheim Articles". The research project focuses on both the communicative strategies and the everyday practical consequences of the Anabaptists in their reaction to the changing pressure of social marginalisation.