| Hermann Decker | |
| Fictional Character | |
| 1632 series POD: May, 1631 | |
| Appearance(s): | Grantville Gazette V |
| Type of Appearance: | Direct |
| Nationality: | Germany |
| Religion: | Lutheranism |
| Occupation: | Lutheran Pastor |
Pastor Hermann Decker was a Lutheran clergyman who resided in Schwarzburg. When the Ring of Fire deposited the town of Grantville in the past, and caused parts of Schwarzburg to fall into its pit, Decker, like everyone in the town, was flabbergasted by Grantville. He was present at the meeting between the representatives of both Grantville and Schwarzburg (the latter led by Captain Franz Saalfelder), and was amazed by the Grantvillers' account of their origins. Thereafter, Decker witnessed the Americans' efforts to rescue the villagers who fell into the pit, including technology from the late 20th century being used during the rescue.
Decker later conversed with American Mark O'Reilly, despite the language barrier between them. Decker was particularly intrigued by Grantville's policy of religious tolerance, especially after realizing that O'Reilly not only did not know the religions of most of his companions, but had never thought to ask. He was also impressed by the information that the Gregorian Calendar was universally accepted in the up-time world because it was considered more accurate than the Julian Calendar. When Decker questioned as to how Grantville's religions could be so tolerant, O'Reilly could only answer in both passages from the Declaration of Independence and the Book of Genesis: that all "men are created equal" and that man was created in God's image. Decker found this answer compelling and agreed that for men to treat each other with anything less than respect would be disrespectful to God.
Decker later wrote separate letters to his colleague Martin Mühler, to whom Decker expressed his findings on religious matters from Grantville.