Sweden

The northern European Scandinavian country of Sweden has gone through a transformation from a poor agricultural society to an advanced industrial society in the latter part of the 20th century. Although the majority of Swedes belong to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sweden, profound changes have taken place in church-state relations, and traditional Christian beliefs are declining in an increasingly religiously diverse society.

[Page 1244]In 2000, a law introduced in Riksdagen (Parliament) defined the Church of Sweden as an open, democratic Lutheran Evangelical church, free from the state. Although membership has declined from 95% of the population in 1973 to 80% in 2003, the Church of Sweden is the country's largest organization, with 7.2 million members in 2002. A large majority participates in rites of passage arranged by the Church. In 2003, 70% of all infants were baptized, and 58% of all weddings and 87% of all funerals took place there. However, only 39% of all 15-year-olds were confirmed.

Some of the declining church membership can be explained by demographic changes due to immigration. In 2001, 3% belonged to free churches (Pentecostalism the largest with 90,000 members), and 2% to Roman Catholic (160,000) and Orthodox churches (100,000). The largest community of faith outside the church practices Islam (250,000–300,000). Other religious minorities are Jews (20,000), Buddhists (10,000–15,000), Hindus, Sikhs, and Baha'i (a few thousand each).

Most Swedes have a formal lifelong affiliation with the Church of Sweden, but church attendance is low. In 2002, 1.3% of Swedes attended church on an ordinary Sunday. The church also offers additional services (musical or thematic), so that 10% of Swedes attend church once a month or more. Private faith is widespread. In 1997, 75% reported that they had some sort of faith. More than 30% believed that God exists inside human beings; 20% believed in an impersonal power and 18% in a traditional Christian God. The remaining had serious doubts (15%) or were atheists (12%). More Swedes have faith in “something” after death (36%) than in Christian notions of heaven and hell (10%). Many seriously doubt the idea of life after death (25%) or reject it (24%). Gender and generation affect religion. Swedish women are more religious than men. Atheism is primarily a masculine affair and more widespread among persons 50 years and older. Traditional forms of religion are slowly being replaced by a more personal and subjective form, especially among younger Swedes. Religion is changing in Sweden, not by disappearing, but by finding support in new forms among the younger generation.