Christianity in Scandinavia

Recently, Feb 22, 13, we posted an article on DIT listing 10 reasons kids leave the Church. If you have not read it you can find it HERE

That referenced the Youth in the USA.

But, if this trend continues, then it is highly likely that even more dire things will happen.

What dire things?

Well, a recent article in The Christian Index, a Christian newspaper in Georgia USA, tells of a similar but much worse situation that now exists in Scandinavia.

It is similar in that it speaks of folks leaving the Church.

But it is worse in that it is not only the youth who are leaving; it also shows the ultimate consequences of nations that depart from Christian faith and beliefs.

Alas, however, one has to subscribe to the online newspaper and pay to read the article.

But, a Sunday School teacher in Georgia who gets the paper from the Church he attends (they have a stack of the papers in the foyer for folks to pick up and read), summarized the article and presented the summary to his Sunday School Class.

He gave us a copy of his summary.

What follows is his summary of this very important article:

A Very Troubling Situation

Based on the Front Page Lead article in The Christian Index, Feb 2, 2013.

Rev. Marty McLain, pastor of Summit Church of West Georgia in Douglasville, Georgia, was recruited to participate in a TV program focusing on religious life in Scandinavia.

What Rev. McLain learned should be a major wake up call !

An Overview

Joakim Rundt, journalist with the Finish Broadcasting Co. said:

"Scandinavians seem to like the idea of a nice grand old church to go to from time to time -- as long as we're not bothered with any religious aspects of it."

"About 90% of Scandinavian couples get married in churches, bring their newborns to be

baptized in the church, and bury their parents next to the church after having a priest

conduct the funeral -- While asking the priest to 'please tone down all the religious stuff'

which, of course, raises the question of why we looked up the priest in the first place.

"I think we are fond of the nostalgia around it. Church is almost like taking a peek into

a place where time has stood still. "

What is going on in Scandinavia?

People go to church to enjoy the quietness and don't want a priest disturbing the peace

with sermons and such.

Only 15% of the church members in Sweden believe in Jesus.

Almost 80% of Swedes are members of the Church of Sweden, but only 10% think religion is important in daily life.

You are exempt from church taxes if you leave the Church of Sweden.

Christianity is no longer taught in school and people no longer know the Bible's message so they do not relate to church.

What do most Scandinavians think?

Most Scandinavians balk at the notion of being labeled "atheists", religion is basically a non-issue in their society.

Scandinavians view religion as "nice" and regard Jesus as a "nice man who taught nice things", but have a "benign indifference" toward Christianity.

Some have an "utter obliviousness" regarding the Bible and Christianity.

A pastor in Denmark said, "The word 'God' is one of the most embarrassing words you can say. You would rather go naked through the city than talk about God."

Other comments and observations

A Swedish atheist said his source of truth or authority comes from the Human Rights

Council of the United Nations.

In "man on the street" interviews in Stockholm, most people said they believed in science.

Most who claimed to believe in God were from other countries.

In Helsinki, Finland, a church was trying to attract young people by having a Metal Mass.

"A Christian heavy metal band provided the music for the worship service. The leader had lots of tattoos, including a 'Born Again' tattoo and was wearing a WWJD bracelet. After the heavy metal music we observed the Lord's Supper." This may have been the best Christian activity McLain saw in Scandinavia.

Life in Scandinavia

Average individual income tax in Sweden is 57.7%

About 70% of the church's revenues comes from these taxes.

When the church depends on the government for support, charitable giving is minimized and the government becomes the benefactor for society. And, the church is subject to some government control.

In Denmark, which also has a church tax, the government made it mandatory for churches to conduct same-sex marriages. Priests can refuse to do this but the church must find another priest to perform the ceremony.

Government cares for babies through the elderly.

Now and in the future ...

McLain believes:

The higher the taxes the more socialistic a nation becomes and the more secular a nation becomes the more socialistic it becomes.

Scandinavia is very socialistic and the government has preeminence over faith and family. People become dependent upon the government because the government takes so much of their resources and people feel the government owes them something in return.

In Sweden and Denmark gender differences are minimized. They want to construct a gender-neutral society. They want to empower women and emasculate men.

Same-sex marriage is de-institutionalizing marriage.

When child rearing is separated from marriage, you pave the way for more socialism.

England and France are quickly following the pattern that has been established by the Scandinavian countries.

The US is quickly following in the steps of England and France.

Socialism seeks to destroy Christian influence in society.

China is trying to destroy Christian house churches."

Hmmmm. That is a mighty powerful article and summary.

You might want to print this out and discuss its ramifications with your SS class and or Bible Study Group.

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