The online yearbook Religion in Denmark is published annually by Center for Contemporary Religion at Aarhus University and presents information about the approved religious communities in Denmark.. We are speaking of a significant amount of different religious groupings, which provides us with a foundation for saying something general about religion in Denmark today. In 1536, the Danish church became Lutheran and was integrated into the state. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark As one of the happiest countries in the world, the Scandinavian country of Denmark are very diverse. Roman Catholic churches and Jewish synagogues have long existed in the larger cities, and the first mosque in the country was built in 1967. Groups of new parents meet there with their babies for musical "baby psalm singing", teenagers prepare for their confirmation and plan parties, and older people meet for coffee and cake. In January 2020, 74.3% of the population of Denmark were members of the Church of Denmark (Den Danske Folkekirke), the officially established church, which is Protestant in classification and Lutheran in orientation. Here is some basic information on the Evangelical Lutheran doctrine and practices. Lutheranism replaced Roman Catholicism as the country’s official religion in 1536, during the Reformation. Religions > All: This entry includes a rank ordering of religions by adherents starting with the … 05/05/2016 03:50 pm ET Updated Dec 06, 2017 On a May day in Copenhagen, the sun shining brightly, the greatest security risk seems to come from bicycles speeding along the streets. There are two grand mosques in Copenhagen and more than 100 mosques throughout the country. The largest city is Copenhagen (located on the islands of Zealand and Amager), followed by Århus (in eastern Jutland), Odense (on Funen), Ålborg (in northern Jutland), and Esbjerg (in southwestern Jutland). In fact, many go only once a year - usually on Christmas Eve. We use cookies to optimize the user experience and target the content on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. The Great Synagogue of Copenhagen was founded in 1833 and services are still held there. The state’s support for the Church of Denmark today is primarily managerial and administrative in character. Definition: This entry is an ordered listing of religions by adherents starting with the largest group and sometimes includes the percent of total population. During the German occupation of Denmark (1940-45), King Christian X paid for many Jews to escape to neutral Sweden. But not all is calm in the state of Denmark. Over 75 percent of Danes identify with the church, and most attend services for holidays such as Christmas Eve and Easter, even though weekly church attendance is quite low—around 2.4 percent. 1. Religious freedom is an essentially unchallenged value in Denmark. Around 75 % of the population are registered members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark.. Christian studies is a compulsory subject for students in the Danish Folkeskole. Climate: temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summers 4. The official religion in the country of Denmark is Evangelical Lutheran, as stated in Paragraph 4 of the Danish Constitution. But to hold an event, such as a wedding or a funeral, you must be a member of the Danish church and pay your voluntary church tax. About 75 percent of the Danish population belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran religion, while a few percents are Muslim and Roman Catholics. Religious instruction in the state religion is given in schools, though pupils of another religion may be excused. The Danish constitution guarantees freedom of religion. The religiously unaffiliated represent the second-largest faith group in Denmark, an analysis from the Pew Research Center revealed on Monday . Christianity and other religions today. Asiatisk Plads 2 Rights, values, and religion in Denmark. Religion in Denmark is a resource to use by anyone who wants to know more about the situation of religion in Denmark today – either in media contexts or in connection with teaching and research. In many areas, churches also serve as community centres. Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 95%, other Protestant and Roman Catholic 3%, Muslim 2% 7. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership, Evangelical Lutheran People’s Church of Denmark. A very typical country-side-church. Bible main altar Roskilde cathedral Denmark.jpg 5,897 × 3,665; 13.45 MB Lutheranism, as it is also known, was founded by Martin Luther, who was a priest in the 16th century. Buddhist Records [edit | edit source] Buddhism was introduced into Denmark in 1921 and had a revival in 1950's and another in the 1980's. The second largest faith is Islam, due to mass immigration in the 1980 and 90s. The most prominent religion in Denmark is the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark, known as the Dansk Folkekirke (Danish People’s Church). Udby Church on Souhtern Zealand. About 270,000 Muslims live in Denmark, mostly in urban areas. Of all the religions in Denmark, the most prominent is Christianity in the form of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark, the official state church.However, pockets of virtually all faiths can be found among the population. This approval was granted in 2003. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Roman Catholic churches and Jewish synagogues have long existed in the larger cities, and the first mosque in the country was built in 1967. No-one knows exactly how many Muslims there are in Denmark - perhaps 200,000-250,000. Religion. The first time you visit the homepage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, you will see a banner with information about cookies. Denmark’s Muslim population may get an outsized amount of media and political attention but the second largest ‘religion’ behind Christianity is actually no religion at all. However, pockets of virtually all faiths can be found among the population. The Home Mission survives as a contemporary evangelical expression of Lutheran Pietism, which had won converts in the 18th century. According to surveys, about 5 percent of the Evangelical Lutheran population in Denmark is able to attend the weekly religious services. Danish folk tales have mythical characters such aselves, trolls, goblins, and giants. However, few Danes go to church on a regular basis. The Evangelical Lutheran Church is, by the Constitution, the State Church. Religion in Denmark. Explore the latest news and statistics on religion in Denmark, including demographics, restrictions and more. This has not prevented various Denmark religions from being practiced in the country. Population: 5+million (2019 est.) Location: Northern Europe bordering Germany 68 km 2. Most Danish cities offer a range of churches that include the Lutheran Evangelical state church as well as Catholic and Pentecostal congregations. The believers are organised in groups located throughout Denmark. The often-repeated story that the king himself wore a yellow star of David in defiance of the German occupiers is, however, untrue. Denmark Religions. About 270,000 Muslims live in Denmark, mostly in urban areas. Roskilde Cathedral - a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was established in 1997, has around 600 members and is the only officially approved Nordic religion society in Denmark. The Bahá'í Faith arrived in 1925 to Denmark. Aside from Lutheranism, there is a small Roman Catholic minority, as well as small Protestant denominations such as the Baptist Union of Denmark and the Reformed Synod of Denmark . Of all the religions in Denmark, the most prominent is Christianity in the form of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark, the official state church. The church is known as the church housing the graves of more Kings and Queens than any other church in the world. By clicking ACCEPT you accept the use of cookies from us and from third parties on the website. By the early 21st century Islam had become an increasingly important minority religion, and a significant number of Danes were not religious at all. There are two grand mosques in Copenhagen and more than 100 mosques throughout the country. We use cookies to optimize the user experience and target the content on this website. Many Danes also choose to pay the optional "church tax" required to be able to hold an event in a state church, as well as to support the maintenance of the beautiful church buildings, some dating as far back as the Middle Ages (1100-1200AD). The most prominent religion in Denmark is the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark, known as the Dansk Folkekirke (Danish People’s Church). For historical reasons, there is a formal distinction between 'approved' (godkendte) and 'recognised' (anerkendte) congregations of faith. Churches are still popular for marking life events, such as baptisms, weddings, and funerals. Denmark - Denmark - Settlement patterns: The vast majority of the Danish population lives in urban areas. The material is collected and published each year in an e-yearbook entitled Religion in Denmark. Religious freedom is an essentially unchallenged value in Denmark. Hence, Denmark is not a secular state as there is a clear link between the church and the state with a Minister for Ecclesiastical Affairs. By the early 21st century Islam had become an increasingly important minority religion, and a significant number of Danes were not religious at all. Read more about the Ministry of Foreign Affairs's privacy and cookie policy, In Denmark, 75 % of the population are registered members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. More than 55 % of the priests in the state church are women. There are local dancingcommunities throughout the country that provides lessons in music, traditionaldance and dress making. A separate revival movement also was organized within the framework of the Danish church. King Harald describes his achievements on the two-metre-tall rune stone - The Jelling Stone - which you can visit in the Danish town of Jelling. There are many religions there, some of origin some brought over with the migrants that entered. The founder of the movement, Danish bishop N.F.S. About 85 percent of the Danish population belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran religion, while 3 percent are Roman Catholics, and less than 2 percent are Muslim. Government: constitutional monarchy 8. Business Culture: Ranked 1 in The Business Culture Complexity Index™ 5. DK - 1448 Copenhagen. Factbook > Countries > Denmark > Demographics. Islam is the largest non-Christian religion in Denmark today. They enjoy a religious freedom à la Denmark that includes tax advantages for mosques and freedom of expression (although there are laws on the books against blasphemy). For more than 400 years, Jews have practiced their religion in Denmark. Same-sex marriage has been allowed in Danish churches since 2012. Religion. The core characteristics and beliefs of the world's major religions are described below. By clicking the "Accept"-button, you agree that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and third parties use cookies. There are also other religions recognized by the constitution. For more than 400 years, Jews have practiced their religion in Denmark. The largest Nordic religion society in Denmark is also called Forn Sidr. Anyone can attend a service at a church in Denmark. But less than a fifth of Danes see themselves as “very religious.”. According to recent estimates, some 270,000 Muslims, most identifying as Sunnis, currently reside in the Nordic country. On the stone, it says: "King Harald ordered these kumbls made in memory of Gorm, his father, and in memory of Thyra, his mother; that Harald who won for himself all of Denmark and Norway and made the Danes Christian". Known as the Home Mission (Indre Mission), it was founded by a clergyman, Vilhelm Beck, in the mid-19th century. Christianity is the dominant religion in Denmark. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. The established church, which is the Evangelical Lutheran Church, is by far the largest (encompassing 85.4% of the population in 1998) religious community. Nevertheless, the overwhelming majority of Danes remained at least nominally members of the state church, the Evangelical Lutheran People’s Church of Denmark (folkekirken). Various other Christian churches are also represented in Denmark and have been accorded the status of … These traditions werepassed on from generation to generation orally. According to Brian Arly Jacobsen, Associate Professor at the University of Copenhagen and an expert on the sociology of religion, Danish Christians generally see religion as a matter of national identity rather than religious identity. The second largest faith is Islam, due to immigration in the 1980 and 90s.In general, however, Danes are secular, and church attendance is generally low. Media in category "Religion in Denmark" The following 2 files are in this category, out of 2 total. The official Danish religion is the Evangelical Lutheran church, which is state supported. The Danish Constitution protects religious freedom. By 2005 there were around 1,251 practicing the faith. Today members of the Home Mission constitute a minority within the church; they place emphasis on the importance of individual Bible study, personal faith, and a sin-free style of living. Christianity came to Denmark more than 1000 years ago courtesy the Viking king Harold Bluetooth - better known today for the "Bluetooth" function you may have on your smartphone. The Danish constitution guarantees freedom of religion and non-Christian religions in Denmark are given the same tax advantages as the state church. By clicking "Show Settings", you are able to choose which cookies you wish to accept. Despite having a secular atmosphere which stresses acceptance and cooperation Denmark hasn’t escaped conflicts involving various religious communities. In the 19th century, at a time when Danish Lutheranism had become very formal and ritualistic, a revitalization movement known as “Grundtvigianism” inspired a new sense of Christian awareness. Today's Jewish community in Denmark is very small. Select SETTINGS to choose which cookies you wish to accept. Since the Constitution of 1849 granted citizens full religious freedom, membership of the Church of Denmark depends on individual free choice. In the ca… The collection of information also helps targeting of relevant content, compile statistics as well as marketing. The Danish monarch is also the official head of the state church. Over 75 percent of Danes identify with the church, and most attend services for holidays such as Christmas Eve and Easter, even though weekly church attendance is quite low—around 2.4 percent. Islam is the largest non-Christian religion in Denmark today. Danish Folklore consists of songs, dance, music,legends, folk tales, popular beliefs, and traditions. This was achieved by establishing folk high schools in which Christian belief and peasant culture were taught as a basis for creating pride in the Danish heritage. However, pockets of other major faiths can be found among the population. Grundtvig, provided a philosophical, religious, and organizational basis for “educating and awakening” the impoverished peasantry. Today, the Danish government usually includes a "minister for churches", who works to oversee church buildings and keep the rules of the church up to date. Ethnic Make-up: Scandinavian, Inuit, Faroese, German, Turkish, Iranian, Somali 6. Nearly 85% of the Danish population belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran Church, while the other 15% consists of many other religions including Jewish, Catholic and Islamic. Christianity has shaped Denmark's culture, and the Danish countryside remains dotted with traditional churches. Even though most Danes are Lutherans, only about 6% attend church on a regular basis. Among the central beliefs in Lutheranism involve good works, grace, and faith as a means of salvation. The most well known example of this cultural clash was the so called Muhammad cartoon controversy which too… Aarhus University estimated 20,000 practicing Buddhists in Denmark … In 2020, an estimated 4.4% of the Danish population were Muslims. Religion in Denmark is prominently Christianity in the form of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark (Danish: Folkekirken), the state religion. Islam is the second largest religion in Denmark. Christianity is the predominant religion of Denmark, with 80% of the Danish population estimated as adherents of the "Folkekirken" ("People's Church"), Denmark's national Lutheran church. Capital: Copenhagen 3. Due to increased immigration from countries such as Iran, Iraq, and Somalia, the second largest religion in Denmark is Islam. Mosques throughout the country 1448 Copenhagen a philosophical, religious, and information from Britannica... 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