Faroe islands

The globalization of religious culture is confronted in the Faroe Islands, an isolated island cluster in the North Atlantic Ocean, north of Scotland and midway between Iceland and Norway. Its diverse Christian influences were imported and deeply integrated during the 20th century and more recently have been affected [Page 390]by the movements for exporting evangelization overseas.

In this peripheral society of fewer than 50,000 Faroese, self-governing within the kingdom of Denmark since 1948, about 85% of the inhabitants belong to the Lutheran Church. This church was a diocese of the Church of Denmark until July 29, 2007, when it became independent and one of the smallest state churches in the world. Although registered in the state church, many Faroese attend other churches. Indeed, apart from this state church, three main influences have shaped the religious landscape of the Faroe Islands.

The Calvinist influence of the Plymouth Brethren was first introduced in 1865 by the Scottish missionary William G. Sloan and today reaches around 15% of the population, with more than 27 churches. Nineteenth-century Christian revivalist movements, such as Grundtvigian pietism from Denmark, established 30 churches and greatly influenced evangelical culture on the Faroe Islands. Finally, Pentecostalism of Norwegian influence made inroads after 1920. It now accounts for around 6% of the population and 10 churches. In addition, many free Pentecostal believers do not belong to any denomination and attend private religious services at home. Since the 1980s, a growing interest in charismatic revival focuses on the intimacy of relationship with Jesus and the theology of personal success, particularly among the youngest believers.

This unusually high rate of believers gives to the Faroe Islands a singular Christian status among the Nordic secularized societies. In recent decades, globalization has revitalized the internationalization of religious activity. The biggest charismatic churches frequently invite foreign preachers to perform “worship meetings.” Many Faroese travel abroad to attend Bible studies courses in Norway, Scotland, or North America. They generally come back with an increased legitimacy in their own church and sometimes found a new one. All the churches are also affiliated with Christian missionaries' international networks that they actively support, both financially and by sending staffs. The Plymouth Brethren have about 50 missionaries in permanent positions worldwide, whereas Home Missions are known for annually sending young people to different countries. When they finish high school, these young believers often take a break for several weeks or months and get new experience by spreading the gospel or doing volunteer work.

Thus, there is a strong religious culture in Faroese society. However, it can also be a subject of great controversy. At the local level of villages, two or three churches traditionally divide the community into distinctive networks of social and economic membership. At the national level, the distinction between born-again Christians (represented in parliament) and secular Christians asserts itself more and more, especially on issues such as abortion, homosexuality, gender equality, creationism, and Darwinism.