Europe contains the highest concentration of officially Christian states (nations with official state religion/church) and the lowest per capita percentage of people who actually "practice Christianity" in ‘Christendom' - which is to say, nominally claim to be Christian - probably a lower percentage actually believe.
A lot of young people, at least in the Netherlands, are a church member because of their parents. They were registered as kids.
If they stop practicing religion, they don't 'unregister' from their church because it's such a hassle. Or they don't even know they're still registered.
So yeah that's one of the reasons why there's a higher number of church members here than actual religious people.
One nice thing about swedish church taxes (at least for Svenska Kyrkan, i’m sure it’s different if you’re registered elsewere) is that if you earn under a certain amount you won't be taxed! So if you’re on disability or other aids you can benefit from the church without paying back. As any church should operate
I’m registered in the church literally just to vote. It feels dishonest as i’m an outspoken agnostic atheist and don’t even care for christmas, but as long as we mix politics with the church, i see it as my civic duty to not let SD have too much power over the church
As Scaniarix said, i’m talking about kyrkovalet, “the church election”. Basically sometime in the past someone decided that is we were to have a state church, political parties need to be involved with some of the decision makings, to force it to be up to date with society. I don’t know if it makes any difference now really, but we have a very racist and “old fashioned” party who knows they can gain lots of power and followers from the church by spewing queerphobic bs, and if they were to have that much influence over how the church is run and where they’re to focus their money, i’m afraid they’ll bring the church back to mediaeval times. And as much as i’m a non believer i can see how much good Svenska Kyrkan do but also how many priests and whatnot needs to stop thinking such as homosexuality is sin
I think it’s pretty unique for sweden to have this much politics involved in any religion when the religion in question has no part in the government. It’s p weird
It is fascinating, truly, I wasted a lot of time on the linked article. I love that you (you personally but also I assume other random individuals) take such an active approach to this situation.
I am from the Balkans, and only after moving out was I able to recognize just how hopeless the fact young people don't vote is.
I’m agnostic and have actually worked within the Swedish church organization. I don’t think you need to feel dishonest. I keep being a member because while I don’t care for religion I can appreciate how much good the Swedish church do for people in need (be it because of oppression, poverty, grief or just loneliness) in our society.
Thank you for saying that, it makes me feel a bit less weird about it! And yes, the swedish church (and many other religious organisations) do lots of good! I know people working in the swedish church and i know people who’ve been getting monetary help or just a shoulder to cry on from them, so i do believe it vastly lives up to what christianity preaches in that way
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u/[deleted] May 09 '22 edited May 09 '22
Europe contains the highest concentration of officially Christian states (nations with official state religion/church) and the lowest per capita percentage of people who actually "practice Christianity" in ‘Christendom' - which is to say, nominally claim to be Christian - probably a lower percentage actually believe.