Krister Stendahl, bishop of Stockholm

[exnihilo]

The governments of Lutheran countries were in sync with the Church in providing for female equity and same-sex marriage.

That would not be surprising considering many Lutheran churches are state churches. For example the monarch of Norway is the head of the Church of Norway. And in these countries while membership in the church is high, attendance and religious observance is very low.

 

[EvangelCatholic]

That would not be surprising considering many Lutheran churches are state churches. For example the monarch of Norway is the head of the Church of Norway. And in these countries while membership in the church is high, attendance and religious observance is very low.

I think the separation of the state from the church continues in these so-called “Lutheran” countries. In-fact, Bishop Stendahl urged the Church of Sweden to end getting tax benefits from the government. Swedes, Finns, etc are considered a member of the local parish even if they never attend church. But I am also surprised by the high number of Lutherans who attend Mass and get confirmed in Finland, the largest Lutheran church in Scandinavia.