Religion in Norway: the experience of the past and the problems of the present

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Vladimirskiy State University named after the Stoletov brothers

Religion in Norway: the experience of the past and the problems of the present

Solodova Y.A.

The majestic fjords, rocky coasts, snow-capped mountains, the cold sea and the harsh Vikings - it's all about Scandinavia, a beautiful area located in the most north of Europe. Today the Scandinavian countries - Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland - are the ones of the most prosperous countries in the world, with a high standard of living, an excellent social protection and the greatest civility in Europe. Nowadays more than 80% of the population of Norway identify themselves as Christians. But it was not always like this: about one thousand years ago (in the 10^th-11^th centuries) the Scandinavian Vikings were devout pagans and with great pleasure they mounted their destructive raids, attacking Christian monasteries in England, Ireland, France, destroying and killing everything on their way. Although the attempts to the Christianization of Norway took place in the middle of the 10th century (by the third king of Norway Haakon I the Good, who grew up in England), they were met with the resistance of the pagan leaders, and soon they ceased. norwegian citizen cultural religious

The Pagans of Scandinavia are usually called the Vikings (literal meaning is "the man from the fjord"). A. Kahn. The history of the Nordic countries. - М.: "High School", 1980. - P. 104. They had a bad reputation as ruthless aggressors, barbarians and robbers in Europe. The Nordic pagan cult based on Ancient Germanic Mythology. The Vikings believed in the Nordic gods - Odin, Thor, Tyre, Freyja, etc. It was believed that if the Viking fights and dies with a gun in his hand, he certainly gets into the heavenly palace of Odin in Asgard - Valhalla, and spends his time at banquets and trainings up to the "death of the gods" - Ragnarok.

Cowards and slaves get to the dark kingdom of Hel, where they spend their time until the end of the world. Perhaps, it's such customs that served for the development of a rough and cruel temper.

However, soon the attempts of the Christianization of pagans were restarted. The new konung Olaf Tryggvason continued the Haakon's case of Christian mission. According to the opinion of the historians, Olaf came into contact with the Christianity in Ancient Rus, where he lived for about 10 years and then in England. In 995 Olaf came back to Norway. He landed on the western coast, in Moster, where afterwards he built the first Cristian church in Norway (it was the first church that wasn't destroyed by pagans, as it happened with the temples built by Haakon the Good).

After Olaf's defeat in the battle of Svolder in 1000 there was a partial relapse to paganism in Norway during Jarls Lade's reign. But during the reign of Saint Olaf (Olaf II Haraldsson), the rest of Paganism was eradicated and Christianity was thus entrenched. Olaf Haraldsson died in the battle of Stiklestad in 1030. This year is considered to be the `official year' for the Christianization of the Norwegians. D. Matrusov - St. Olav Haraldsson and the baptism of Norway / Theological Research Portal // URL: http://www.bogoslov.ru/text/1219374.html.

Olaf was canonized on August 3, 1031. Olaf II Haraldsson was recognized as the saint of the Universal Christian Church because of multiple miracles and healings over his tomb and obvious incorruptibility of his relics. During the Middle Ages there were built more than 400 temples dedicated to St. Olav in the Scandinavian countries.

In the 16th century Norway reigned by Danmark was forced to accept the reform. With the reform the Church in Norway lost its onetime force. Many Norwegians didn't want to accept the reform at all but the government authority with Danish kings didn't leave them any chose. "The reformation in Norway was more political than religious case". D. Matrusov - St. Olav Haraldsson and the baptism of Norway / Theological Research Portal // URL: http://www.bogoslov.ru/text/1219374.html.

By the time of the Reformation, more than half of all the land owned by the Norwegian Church (Catholic). The state got all of this land, and later most of its parts were sold to rich citizens. Church in Denmark and Norway broke off with Rome and has become a national church, headed by the king. The first law, the socalled "Church Ordinance", was passed in 1537. It provides for the separation of powers of the church and the king: the Сhurch testifies the word of God and makes the ordinances, and the King sets the framework for this occurring. The adoption of laws regulating the activities of the church belongs to the sphere of competence of the King: this is what is practiced in Norwegian law until now.

Nowadays an Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Norway includes more then 4,3 million people that is about 82% of all population. Lately it actively tried to distance itself from the governmental аauthorities but till now it's still financed by the country's authorities. However, it is significant that in August of the previous year more than 15 thousand followers after the appearance of the possibility of writing their names off from the parishioner list on the official web-page took this opportunely just for 4 days. Norwegian church has lost 15 thousand parishioners for 4 days due to the option on the website / International News - RT in Russian // URL: https://russian.rt.com/article/317440-norvezhskayacerkov-poteryala-15-tys-prihozhan-za. According to the data of the official web-page of Norway in Russia the Norwegians are not addicted to advertise their religiosity. Though many people insist that the faith is very important for them but they are not active participants of organized religious meetings. Meanwhile, more then ѕ of population belong to the governmental church of Norway, only 10% go to a religious service or other religious meetings more than once a month. Religion in Norway / Entire Norway in Russian // URL: http://www.norge.ru/religion_norge.

Considering this statistic we can note an nude fact that the people's interest to the Church life is falling down and we can assume the existence of at least two problems in Norway religious space: 1. Popularization of personal notions of religious and refusing of church life in the traditional sense; 2. The growth of atheistic sentiments. The latter assumption is confirmed by the example of social research, that was conducted among over four thousand respondents in Norway.

There was just one simple in it: "Do you believe in God?". Now then 39% of Norwegians said 'no', 37% 'yes', and the remaining 23% were confused and answered "I do not know." Since 1985 this survey is conducted every year. How it was in 1985? 50% of Norwegians answered "yes" and only 20% said they did not believe. According to these indicators Norway is one of the most atheistic countries in Europe. Norway became the most atheistic country in Europe / Orthodox portal PRAVOSLAVIE.RU // URL: http://www.pravoslavie.ru/91764.html.

Not long ago it was found out that since January 1, 2017 the Church of Norway - a Lutheran religious organization that used to have a governmental status - stopped being an official "social religion of Norway". The Lutheran clergymen of Norway are no longer public servants anymore. "We face to the greatest organization changes in Church starting from the time of Reform," - said Jens Petter Johnsen from the National Council of the Norwegian Church being quoted by International Business Times. "The changes will make a clear division between Church and State", - noted the Lutheran cleric.

Nevertheless, the division of the Norwegian Church from the Norwegian State is still incomplete as according to the constitution of the country the Church of Norway is still "the national church of Norway" and "it will be supported as such by the State". Lutheran Church of Norway has lost the status of public confession / Church-Scientific Center "Orthodox Encyclopedia" // URL: http://www.sedmitza.ru/text/6880683.html.

In addition to the atheistic sentiments of native population of Norway, one of the main problem that concern the religion of the country is a threat of religious extremist in Norway. The problems of migrations of Arabian citizens to this northern country and with this Muslim radicalism to the Scandinavian lands during the last several years were expressed obviously. This problem concerned many European countries. In Norway it was especially obvious because of political religious upsurges and organized Islamic migrations in the end of 2000. In principle, in Scandinavia for many centuries there were national and religious minority that could live in peace with local people. However, now the situation has been changed a bit. The Russian expert and the director of Analytical «Consulting Mobile» Office Roman Konoplev said on one of the political portals: “Lets imagine two societies - the modern Norwegian, where nonviolence is brought in every child, beginning with the baby carriage, and the former residents of Arab States, who got citizenship in Norway and have a completely different mentality. A aggression among young Arab is perceived as a norm, and it has to have some way for throwing out. In this case the Norwegians were quite convenient and safe target for violence using by children of yesterday's foreigners.

The Arab population in the capital city of Norway is striking: there are not one or two thousands of religious Muslims there, there are several hundred thousand. We can see anti-Israel stickers plastered everywhere in the city, every small rally has the potential to turn into mayhem as it happened on January 8, 2009.” R. Konoplev - Norway and the problem of migration. Norwegians against Chechens and Arabs: the hard answer / Agency of Political News // URL: http://www.apn.ru/publications/article21313.htm.

Therefore, at present, the Norwegian Government had to resort to a policy of deportation of Arab citizens who have migrated to the northern land, but do not want to integrate into local society. It is necessary for ensuring the safety of Norwegian citizens and keeping a favorable cultural and religious climate in country.

In summary, we would like to note that the last few years, Norway tops the list of countries with the highest standard of living (in UN version). But we need to understand that the Norwegian welfare system is not as strong and indestructible as it may seem, especially with a constant external pressure and with problems in the internal religious and social life.

References

1. А. Kahn. The history of the Nordic countries. - М.: "High School", 1980. - 316 p. - ISBN is absent.

2. D. Matrusov - St. Olav Haraldsson and the baptism of Norway / Theological Research Portal // URL: http://www.bogoslov.ru/text/1219374.html.

3. R. Konoplev - Norway and the problem of migration. Norwegians against Chechens and Arabs: the hard answer / Agency of Political News // URL: http://www.apn.ru/publications/article21313.htm.

4. Religion in Norway: Established church and devotions / URL: http://www.liveinternet.ru/users/varm_sjokolade/post194840254.

5. Christianization of Norway / History portal MEDIEVALISTS.NET // URL: http://www.medievalists.net/2009/11/christianization-of-norway/.

6. Christianization of Norway and the possible influence of the Oriental Churches / Entire Norway in Russian // URL: http://www.norge.ru/norge_christ/.

7. Religion in Norway / Entire Norway in Russian // URL: http://www.norge.ru/religion_norge.

8. Lutheran Church of Norway has lost the status of public confession / ChurchScientific Center "Orthodox Encyclopedia" // URL: http://www.sedmitza.ru/text/6880683.html.

9. Norwegian church has lost 15 thousand parishioners for 4 days due to the option on the website / International News - RT in Russian // URL: https://russian.rt.com/article/317440-norvezhskaya-cerkov-poteryala-15-tysprihozhan-za.

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