What can I say briefly about Iceland? This most northern country was recognized as the most convenient for living in the whole world. It's on glaciers and permafrost! Here is the lowest gap between rich and poor, the highest average life expectancy, the most environmentally friendly environment, the highest level of reading population. Add to all this fantastically unrealistic landscapes, proximity to active volcanoes and geysers, and it becomes clear that people here must be special. What are religion and culture in Iceland? What do Icelanders believe and what do they fear?
Who are the Icelanders
The island of Iceland has become a settlement of hermit monks from Ireland. The religion they professed - Christianity - became the original belief on the island. The descendants of the Vikings who subsequently settled the country: the Swedes, Norwegians, Danes - worshiped their god and brought their belief - asatru. The indigenous people of Iceland consider themselves descendants of the Vikings and Celts. Political and trade ties with other powers forced the Irish to officially adopt the European faith - Christianity.
The date of its revival in Iceland is considered to be the year 1000. It is from this periodthe church began to control the state and banned pagan rituals and sacrifices.
The Religion of Modernity
At this period, the main religion of Iceland is evangelical Lutheranism. Adherents of the Lutheran Church make up about 85% of the population. The Catholic part of the population is made up of Polish specialists (about 3%). You can meet Baptists, Buddhists, Muslims, Orthodox in Iceland - these are small communities from families abandoned by fate to this land.
Lutheran Cathedral Hallgrimskirkja, which is located in the capital of Iceland, Reykjavik, is one of the ten most expensive religious buildings in the world. The monumental building with a 75-meter-high bell tower took 38 years to build and cost $25 million to build.
Religion and Politics
In the country of Iceland, the religion of the Evangelical Lutheran Church is the state religion, which is enshrined in the relevant article of the Constitution. According to the Basic Law, all citizens of the country have the full right to freedom of religion. No religious associations of citizens are prosecuted by law if their activities do not lead to violation of law and order and infringement of other citizens.
Lutheran services are televised daily. All citizens of Iceland, regardless of religion, must pay contributions: believers - for the maintenance of their church, non-believers - to the University of Iceland.
Lutheranism as a religion
Who are Protestants? What is Lutheranism? Whichreligion in Iceland?
The religious Protestant movement began in 16th century Germany and is named after Martin Luther, who led it. Luther's followers protested against the injustice and abuse of Catholic priests. Their principles found support among believers, and as a result, a new Christian trend was formed - the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Lutherans accept the priest as equal among all, just as a preacher, recognize only two sacraments (baptism and communion), worship only God and the Bible.
Paganism in Icelandic
If Christianity has established itself as a necessary link in the political and economic system, then in the hearts and souls of the inhabitants of the island of Iceland, the religion of paganism remained to live as the religion of their ancestors. Asatru did not go anywhere and did not leave. Icelanders have always celebrated pagan holidays along with Christian commemorations. And the faith in otherworldly forces among the inhabitants of the ice country is simply amazing. Well-educated modern people firmly believe in the life-giving power of nature and its phenomena, in the existence of a parallel world of gnomes, elves and other inhabitants.
Asatru is considered the second official religion of Iceland. In 1973 the first pagan community was founded. Confirmation of the undying paganism was the fact that the construction of the first pagan temple began in Reykjavik.
It is possible that this remoteness from the continent made it possible to preserve intact the veneration of the ancient rites that were incinerated on the Bolshoiearth. But the younger generation of Icelanders is increasingly inclined to the faith of their ancestors, though without sacrifice.
Unbelieving youth
Poll conducted on the island of Iceland: what religion do you prefer - showed an unexpected result. When asked about the origin of life on Earth, most of the young people interviewed answered that they did not believe in the divine origin of everything earthly. The head of the state church, however, is not very concerned about this result, citing that education and belief in science do not prevent the general religiosity of the younger generation.
New Faith
All believers in Iceland are required to register in a single register. This procedure is necessary to pay tax, regardless of belief. Naturally, not everyone likes to pay money “for faith”. Iceland is exclusive to the island - a religion that was created and exists only here. The so-called Zuism gained unprecedented popularity in the country, precisely because of the situation with taxes. The fact is that its founders proclaim their disagreement with the taxation of believers and promise to cancel the register and return to the parishioners all the funds paid earlier.
The new religion is officially allowed by the authorities and registered in the state register. Preachers of Zuism claim that the basis of their beliefs is the religion of the ancient Sumerians. You can treat the phenomenon in different ways, but the number of Zuists has already reached three thousand people. This is a significant number, given the small overallthe population of Iceland. In any case, there are fewer Muslims on the island. Apparently, the situation with taxes is a serious reason to change your affiliation to one or another confession, because, as already mentioned, non-believers are also subject to a similar tax.
Here it is, the religious (or not so) country of Iceland. Even in this matter, it appears as a mysterious and unique part of Europe.
