Irreligion in Sweden

Sweden is one of the world's most secular nations, with a high proportion of irreligious people.[1] Phil Zuckerman, an Associate Professor of Sociology at Pitzer College,[2] writes that several academic sources have in recent years placed atheism rates in Sweden between 46% and 85%, with one source reporting that only 17% of respondents self-identified as "atheist".[3] Gallup Poll found in 2016 that 18% of Swedes self-report as atheist and 55% as non-religious.[4]

Sweden's official website asserts that just three out of 10 Swedes state that they have confidence in the church. The article lists the following facts about religion in Sweden:

  • Only 1 in 10 Swedes thinks religion is important in daily life.
  • Only 1 in 10 Swedes has trust in a religious leader.[5]

Statistics from the Church of Sweden states that:[6]

  • Under 5 out of 10 children are christened in the church.
  • Around 1 out of 3 weddings take place in church.
  • Around 3 out of 4 Swedes have Christian burials.

Many Swedes attend church due to traditional or cultural reasons, but are otherwise not practicing Christians. One poll found that only 25% of Swedish people actually believe in Jesus.[7]

Relatedly, the Swedish government has passed several secular reforms over the years; a legal opt-out of the previously mandatory 1.1% church tax was allowed in 1951, automatic birthright membership in the Church of Sweden - the organization's enrollment practice since the 1850s - ended in 1996, and the Church of Sweden was formally separated from the state in 2000, leaving Sweden as "the only Nordic country without a state church".[8][9][10]

References
  1. Phil Zuckerman. "Atheism, Secularity, and Well-Being: How the Findings of Social Science Counter Negative Stereotypes and Assumptions" (PDF). Oitzer.edu. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-12-28. Retrieved 2014-02-02.; "Evolutionary Psychology: Original Article/Essay" (PDF). Epjournal.net. Retrieved 2013-08-16.; "Beliefs about God across Time and Countries" (PDF). -Norc.org. Retrieved 2013-08-16.; Zuckerman, Phil (2009-12-21). Atheism and Secularity - Google Books. ISBN 9780313351822. Retrieved 2013-08-16.; "Atheism: Contemporary Rates and Patterns" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-06-12. Retrieved 2012-07-04.; "Beliefs about God across Time and Countries" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-07-04.
  2. "Phil Zuckerman, Professor of Sociology - Faculty Profiles - Pitzer College". Pitzer.edu. Archived from the original on 2009-11-28. Retrieved 2014-02-02.
  3. Zuckerman, Phil (2006). "Atheism—Contemporary numbers and Practices". In Michael Martin (ed.). The Cambridge Companion to Atheism. Cambridge University Press. pp. 47–50. ISBN 0-521-84270-0. Retrieved 2007-11-15.
  4. "Global report on religion: end of year 2016" (PDF). Gallup Poll. 2017-04-12.
  5. "Only one in ten Swedes trusts religious leaders". The Local. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
  6. "Svenska kyrkan i siffror" (in Swedish). Church of Sweden.
  7. "Swedish Church members 'don't believe in Jesus'". The Local. Retrieved 2016-01-28.
  8. "Swedes End Long Union Of Church And State". The New York Times. Associated Press. 1995-12-31. Retrieved 2016-01-27.
  9. "Sweden 'least religious' nation in Western world". The Local. 2015-04-13. Retrieved 2016-01-27.
  10. Scott Sutherland (2015-08-28). "10 fundamentals of religion in Sweden". Swedish Institute. Retrieved 2016-01-27.
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