However, pockets of virtually all faiths can be found among the population. By the early 21st century Islam had become an increasingly important minority religion, and a significant number of Danes were not religious at all. Definition: This entry is an ordered listing of religions by adherents starting with the largest group and sometimes includes the percent of total population. 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. 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. 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. Religious freedom is an essentially unchallenged value in Denmark. The state’s support for the Church of Denmark today is primarily managerial and administrative in character. Location: Northern Europe bordering Germany 68 km 2. There are two grand mosques in Copenhagen and more than 100 mosques throughout the country. Religion in Denmark is prominently Christianity in the form of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark (Danish: Folkekirken), the state religion. Various other Christian churches are also represented in Denmark and have been accorded the status of … The official religion in the country of Denmark is Evangelical Lutheran, as stated in Paragraph 4 of the Danish Constitution. No-one knows exactly how many Muslims there are in Denmark - perhaps 200,000-250,000. According to surveys, about 5 percent of the Evangelical Lutheran population in Denmark is able to attend the weekly religious services. Among the central beliefs in Lutheranism involve good works, grace, and faith as a means of salvation. The believers are organised in groups located throughout Denmark. Climate: temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summers 4. 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. Select SETTINGS to choose which cookies you wish to accept. 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. The Evangelical Lutheran Church is, by the Constitution, the State Church. A separate revival movement also was organized within the framework of the Danish church. We use cookies to optimize the user experience and target the content on this website. Danish folk tales have mythical characters such aselves, trolls, goblins, and giants. 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. Even though most Danes are Lutherans, only about 6% attend church on a regular basis. A very typical country-side-church. Most Danish cities offer a range of churches that include the Lutheran Evangelical state church as well as Catholic and Pentecostal congregations. 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. 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". 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. Roman Catholic churches and Jewish synagogues have long existed in the larger cities, and the first mosque in the country was built in 1967. The Great Synagogue of Copenhagen was founded in 1833 and services are still held there. By clicking "Show Settings", you are able to choose which cookies you wish to accept. Same-sex marriage has been allowed in Danish churches since 2012. The most prominent religion in Denmark is the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark, known as the Dansk Folkekirke (Danish People’s Church). 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. The Home Mission survives as a contemporary evangelical expression of Lutheran Pietism, which had won converts in the 18th century. However, few Danes go to church on a regular basis. DK - 1448 Copenhagen. By clicking ACCEPT you accept the use of cookies from us and from third parties on the website. Government: constitutional monarchy 8. Business Culture: Ranked 1 in The Business Culture Complexity Index™ There are local dancingcommunities throughout the country that provides lessons in music, traditionaldance and dress making. About 270,000 Muslims live in Denmark, mostly in urban areas. The founder of the movement, Danish bishop N.F.S. The most well known example of this cultural clash was the so called Muhammad cartoon controversy which too… The religiously unaffiliated represent the second-largest faith group in Denmark, an analysis from the Pew Research Center revealed on Monday . Christianity has shaped Denmark's culture, and the Danish countryside remains dotted with traditional churches. 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 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. The Danish constitution guarantees freedom of religion and non-Christian religions in Denmark are given the same tax advantages as the state church. Denmark - Denmark - Settlement patterns: The vast majority of the Danish population lives in urban areas. The largest Nordic religion society in Denmark is also called Forn Sidr. The Danish monarch is also the official head of the state church. Churches are still popular for marking life events, such as baptisms, weddings, and funerals. Bible main altar Roskilde cathedral Denmark.jpg 5,897 × 3,665; 13.45 MB Known as the Home Mission (Indre Mission), it was founded by a clergyman, Vilhelm Beck, in the mid-19th century. 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. We use cookies to optimize the user experience and target the content on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. Asiatisk Plads 2 Danish Folklore consists of songs, dance, music,legends, folk tales, popular beliefs, and traditions. There are many religions there, some of origin some brought over with the migrants that entered. 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. For more than 400 years, Jews have practiced their religion in Denmark. 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). Here is some basic information on the Evangelical Lutheran doctrine and practices. By clicking the "Accept"-button, you agree that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and third parties use cookies. Roskilde Cathedral - a UNESCO World Heritage site. Aarhus University estimated 20,000 practicing Buddhists in Denmark … But less than a fifth of Danes see themselves as “very religious.”. Grundtvig, provided a philosophical, religious, and organizational basis for “educating and awakening” the impoverished peasantry. In the ca… 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. 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. Denmark Religions. Religion. The established church, which is the Evangelical Lutheran Church, is by far the largest (encompassing 85.4% of the population in 1998) religious community. 1. 5. The official Danish religion is the Evangelical Lutheran church, which is state supported. The often-repeated story that the king himself wore a yellow star of David in defiance of the German occupiers is, however, untrue. Factbook > Countries > Denmark > Demographics. Since the Constitution of 1849 granted citizens full religious freedom, membership of the Church of Denmark depends on individual free choice. The Danish Constitution protects religious freedom. 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. 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. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership, Evangelical Lutheran People’s Church of Denmark. As one of the happiest countries in the world, the Scandinavian country of Denmark are very diverse. There are two grand mosques in Copenhagen and more than 100 mosques throughout the country. The core characteristics and beliefs of the world's major religions are described below. Christianity is the dominant religion in Denmark. The second largest faith is Islam, due to mass immigration in the 1980 and 90s. Islam is the largest non-Christian religion in Denmark today. But not all is calm in the state of Denmark. In 1536, the Danish church became Lutheran and was integrated into the state. Lutheranism replaced Roman Catholicism as the country’s official religion in 1536, during the Reformation. The most prominent religion in Denmark is the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark, known as the Dansk Folkekirke (Danish People’s Church). 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. It was established in 1997, has around 600 members and is the only officially approved Nordic religion society in Denmark. This has not prevented various Denmark religions from being practiced in the country. Due to increased immigration from countries such as Iran, Iraq, and Somalia, the second largest religion in Denmark is Islam. 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. Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 95%, other Protestant and Roman Catholic 3%, Muslim 2% 7. 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 . In 2020, an estimated 4.4% of the Danish population were Muslims. 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. Christianity and other religions 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). Despite having a secular atmosphere which stresses acceptance and cooperation Denmark hasn’t escaped conflicts involving various religious communities. Explore the latest news and statistics on religion in Denmark, including demographics, restrictions and more. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. More than 55 % of the priests in the state church are women. Roman Catholic churches and Jewish synagogues have long existed in the larger cities, and the first mosque in the country was built in 1967. Islam is the second largest religion in Denmark. The church is known as the church housing the graves of more Kings and Queens than any other church in the world. Religion in Denmark. Rights, values, and 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. For more than 400 years, Jews have practiced their religion in Denmark. By 2005 there were around 1,251 practicing the faith. Anyone can attend a service at a church in Denmark. Lutheranism, as it is also known, was founded by Martin Luther, who was a priest in the 16th century. The collection of information also helps targeting of relevant content, compile statistics as well as marketing. Capital: Copenhagen 3. 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. This approval was granted in 2003. Islam is the largest non-Christian religion in Denmark today. Population: 5+million (2019 est.) However, pockets of other major faiths can be found among the population. Udby Church on Souhtern Zealand. In fact, many go only once a year - usually on Christmas Eve. 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. The Danish constitution guarantees freedom of religion. Media in category "Religion in Denmark" The following 2 files are in this category, out of 2 total. The Bahá'í Faith arrived in 1925 to Denmark. Nevertheless, the overwhelming majority of Danes remained at least nominally members of the state church, the Evangelical Lutheran People’s Church of Denmark (folkekirken). Religious freedom is an essentially unchallenged value in Denmark. For historical reasons, there is a formal distinction between 'approved' (godkendte) and 'recognised' (anerkendte) congregations of faith. Today's Jewish community in Denmark is very small. About 270,000 Muslims live in Denmark, mostly in urban areas. Ethnic Make-up: Scandinavian, Inuit, Faroese, German, Turkish, Iranian, Somali 6. 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. Religions > All: This entry includes a rank ordering of religions by adherents starting with the … 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. By the early 21st century Islam had become an increasingly important minority religion, and a significant number of Danes were not religious at all. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. In many areas, churches also serve as community centres. 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. The material is collected and published each year in an e-yearbook entitled Religion in Denmark. Religious instruction in the state religion is given in schools, though pupils of another religion may be excused. 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