Religion and life stance
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Dette er et viktig tema i mange deltakergrupper. For mange vil det være vanskelig å forstå hvor liten plass religion har i mange menneskers liv. Men selv om religionen i seg selv har mindre plass i samfunnet nå enn tidligere, er verdiene som samfunnet styres etter, hentet fra verdier i den kristne tro samt i humanismen.
I Norge vil de fleste oppfatte religion og religiøs tilhørighet som en privatsak. Det vil derfor for mange være fremmed å vise sitt religiøse ståsted gjennom påkledning, hva man snakker om med mennesker en ikke kjenner så godt, osv.
Hva innebærer religionsfrihet? En ting er de juridiske rettighetene, en annen ting er hva som skjer i praksis. Hva hvis et familiemedlem gjør et valg som er helt ulikt det resten av familien står for?
Kåre
Selv om mange nordmenn ikke vil kalle seg personlig kristne, lever de fleste med kristne tradisjoner. Man feirer jul og tar påskeferie. Markeringer i livet (dåp, vigsel, begravelse) knyttes for mange til kirken.
For mange deltakere kan det være vanskelig å forstå hvordan tradisjoner forankret i religion holdes i hevd, samtidig som religionen i seg selv betyr lite for mange.
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Dette er eit viktig tema for mange deltakargrupper. Det vil vere vanskeleg for mange å forstå kor liten plass religion har i liva til mange menneske. Men sjølv om religionen i seg sjølv har mindre plass i samfunnet no enn tidlegare, er verdiane som samfunnet blir styrt etter, henta frå verdiar i den kristne trua og humanismen.
I Noreg vil folk flest oppfatte religion som ei privatsak. Det vil vere framandt for mange å vise kva religion ein høyrer til gjennom påkleding, kva ein snakkar med menneske ein ikkje kjenner så godt om, osv.
Kva inneber religionsfridom? Dei juridiske rettane er ein ting, men kva som skjer i praksis er ein annan. Kva om ein familiemedlem gjer eit val som er heilt ulikt det resten av familien står for?
Kåre
Sjølv om mange nordmenn ikkje vil kalle seg «personleg kristne», lever dei fleste med kristne tradisjonar. Ein feirar jul og tek påskeferie. Mange markerer overgangane i livet (dåp, vigsel, gravferd) i kyrkja.
For mange deltakarar kan det vere vanskeleg å forstå korleis tradisjonar med røter i religion blir haldne i hevd samstundes som religionen i seg sjølv tyder svært lite for mange.
Religion and life stance
Norway is a multicultural and secular society. A secular society means that it is not characterised by religion. This applies both among private individuals and when laws are devised. Norwegians’ views on religion have changed a great deal over the past couple of generations. Religion used to govern people’s lives to a great extent. Today, many Norwegians have a much more relaxed approach to religion, although many people go to church in connection with important events like christenings, confirmations, weddings and funerals.
Up until 2012, Protestantism was the state religion of Norway, and the Church of Norway was Norway’s state church. It was against the law for Norwegians to leave the state church until 1845, and it was only in around 1850 that it became legal to establish non-Christian religious communities in Norway. Norway thus no longer has a state church or an official religion. However, the majority of the Norwegian population are still members of the Church of Norway. The rest either belong to other religious communities or to no such community at all.
There is full freedom of religion in Norway. This means that you can practise your religion without fear of persecution or punishment. It also means that everyone is free to decide which religion he or she wants to belong to. And, just as importantly, it means that everyone is free to choose not to belong to a religion.
Religious and life stance communities can receive financial support from the central government and from the municipalities. Registered religious and life stance communities receive the same amount for each member as the Church of Norway does.
Talk together
- How does religion impact people’s lives in Norway today? What is the situation in other countries you know of?
- Is the fact that a society is secular a positive or negative thing?
- How do different religions live side by side in today’s multicultural Norway?
- There has been antagonism between different religious groups at times. What is the situation like today, both in Norway and internationally?
- Is it important and right to show your religious stance in your dress, jewellery and behaviour?
During his lunch break at work, Kåre describes the christening he had been at the day before. ‘The choir sang beautifully, and the minister gave a lovely sermon! I was really moved.’ ‘I didn't know you were religious?’ said his colleague. ‘No, I’m not. But there’s still something about the atmosphere, tradition and solemnity.’
- Although religion is less important to many Norwegians today, many choose to get married in the church, baptise their children there and so on. Discuss the links between religion and tradition.
Select the right answer
What does it mean that a society is secular?
Select the right answer
What kind of relationship do many Norwegians have to religion?
Select the right answer
What was the state religion in Norway until 2012?
Select right or wrong
Read the statements. What is right? What is wrong?
Select right or wrong
Read the statements. What is right? What is wrong?