Scandinavian Nonbelivers, Which Is Not to Say Atheists

Katy Greene
March 6th, 2009
2:21 PM

Phil Zuckerman, a sociologist who teaches at Pitzer College in California, recently published a report of his findings about religion in Denmark and Sweden that he researched for over a year. This report, entitled "Society Without God," addresses the religious percpetions and beliefs of the people of Scandinavia. Denmark and Sweden are considered two of the least religious nations in the world, yet they also have some of the best life expectancies, child welfare, literacy, education, economic quailty, and standard of living. This greatly contrasts with the feelings of many Americans, which is that a society without religion would be one, according to Mr. Zuckerman, "rampant with immorality, full of evil, and teeming with depravity."
While researching his book, Zuckerman discovered a very peaceful, stable, humane, and moral society that was very irreligious. The subjects that he interviewd do not consider themselves religious, however they do not like the term athiest. The majority of those interviewed had been baptised and married in a church. Many of them call themselves Christians, although they deny most of the teachings of Christianity, and many still belong to the national churches. They were intitally hesitant to talk about religion, as it is not really a factor in their daily lives. In his report, Zuckerman argues that contrary to what society has typically thought, there is not an instinctive need for religion.
I found Phil Zuckerman's report very interesting, and something that many people should consider. While there is certainly nothing wrong with having a religion, there are some people who think that it is impossible to have a moral society without it. Denmark and Sweden have clearly proved them wrong.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/28/us/28beliefs.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&sq=religion&st=cse&scp=4