State of Catholcism in Sweden/Norway?

[rien]

I assume it is pretty moribund. less than 1% of the population and surpassed now by the explosive growth of Islam in Scandinavia.

Anyway, Marcus Grodi of CHN said, and I quote: "“where once the catholic population had dwindled to less than 1% under the rigourous peanl laws, now, in both countires (he is referring to Sweden and Norway here), Catholics can freely practice their , bishops are building new churches, and some even beleive the hope for the faith in Europe is the be found in a Scandinavian revival”.

Sorry, with all due respect to Mr. Grodi and his apostolate, I think he is looking through rose colored glasses. Catholics have been free to practice their faith for more than 100 years now in Sweden and it does not seem to have led to a revival. I did a google search and found no evidence of new churches being built in Norway or Sweden. Not saying a new church hasn’t been built in the last decade - just that it isn’t like Catholic churches are suddenly springing up because of conversion. The few new churches that have been built from what my google search indicated is because of immigration of non-Scandinavian Catholic folks to the region. Mostly Middle eastern. Its not like Swedes are converting. To anything. Its not just catholicsm. They seem deeply set in their secular beliefs.

 

[LutheranDK]

I assume it is pretty moribund. less than 1% of the population and surpassed now by the explosive growth of Islam in Scandinavia.

Anyway, Marcus Grodi of CHN said, and I quote: "“where once the catholic population had dwindled to less than 1% under the rigourous peanl laws, now, in both countires (he is referring to Sweden and Norway here), Catholics can freely practice their , bishops are building new churches, and some even beleive the hope for the faith in Europe is the be found in a Scandinavian revival”.

Sorry, with all due respect to Mr. Grodi and his apostolate, I think he is looking through rose colored glasses. Catholics have been free to practice their faith for more than 100 years now in Sweden and it does not seem to have led to a revival. I did a google search and found no evidence of new churches being built in Norway or Sweden. Not saying a new church hasn’t been built in the last decade - just that it isn’t like Catholic churches are suddenly springing up because of conversion. The few new churches that have been built from what my google search indicated is because of immigration of non-Scandinavian Catholic folks to the region. Mostly Middle eastern. Its not like Swedes are converting. To anything. Its not just catholicsm. They seem deeply set in their secular beliefs.

The patriotic corner of my heart was hurt that Denmark wasn’t mentioned here

Recovered quickly, though

 

[Hilde89]

There are not many Catholics in Norway, no.

 

[ribozyme]

The patriotic corner of my heart was hurt that Denmark wasn’t mentioned here

Recovered quickly, though

How is your nanny state? Do you like it? Do you think a nanny state is conducive to religion? What do you think of “arbejdsmarkedspolitiske foranstaltninger”?

Its not like Swedes are converting. To anything. Its not just catholicsm. They seem deeply set in their secular beliefs.

Do you think the welfare state is antithetical to religion?

 

[LutheranDK]

How is your nanny state? Do you like it? Do you think a nanny state is conducive to religion? What do you think of “arbejdsmarkedspolitiske foranstaltninger”?

Do you think the welfare state is antithetical to religion?

Erm…ok, so this is going to turn into an “apology” (in the meaning: defence) of Danish society.
How do you know Danish, btw?

I like the basic idea that no citizen, or resident, is just left to rot on the streets, and die of starvation, hunger, and untreated disease; and I do believe that ensuring this does not happen is one of the responsibilities of any gorvernment.

(also bearing in mind that the first welfare state was Germany under Bismarck and the Kaisar)

If a welfare state (I refuse to use the derogatory “nanny state”) is conducive to religion? I don’t really care about religion. Christianity is no religion - it is a personal relationship with Jesus.
And in that sense, a welfare state (in the sense we’re speaking of here) is by itself neutral.
Welfare states have in times past supported and promoted Christendom (Germany under Bismarck), and supported and promoted secularism and apostasy (the modern Scandinavian states) - and neither can be said to be neccessary consequences of the welfare state.

Now, what I think of arbejdsmarkedspolitiske foranstaltninger?
You’ll have to be a little more precise - as to WHICH kind of foranstaltninger you are referring. To rephrase Luther from the movie:
“I cannot defend all foranstaltninger, for they are not all the same”

Now, before I’m accused of something else:
I do not believe that the state should grow so large that ALL private responsibility is absolved, and the state is supposed to care care of EVERYTHING for you. That’s not what the welfare state is about either. That’s called Communism, and only a moron is unable to distinguish the two.