The Changing Relation Between Sexual and Gender Minorities and Religion in Finland: Some Observations in the Light of Postsecularity

Abstract

This chapter addresses some relevant issues regarding religion and sexual and gender diversity in Finland. Starting from the notion of a postsecular condition and making use of three complementary lenses, the chapter first provides an overview of recent developments in both legislative equality and changing attitudes in Finland. Second, it provides additional depth with an interview study including professionals from organizations working with issues of relevance to sexual and gender minorities. The chapter identifies some remaining challenges in the nexus of religion and gender and/or sexual diversity in Finland, an aspect that is emphasized when the chapter finally turns to public discussions in the media where different positions and views tend to clash today. The discussion in this chapter exemplifies the need to critically account for recent changes in the religious landscape.

Chabad on Ice

“…She also described how reli gious practice has shifted away from 'obli gation' in the direction of 'consumption' , a change that seems to be dependent on the concept of vicarious religion. Her for mula of 'believing without belonging' has been reversed, and applied in the Nordic context as 'belonging without believing' (Davie 2007a;Nynäs et al 2020); we may note the characteristic stance of religiosity in the Nordic countries, where it is nat ural for individuals to take part in religious ritu als centred around birth, death or matri mony, and thus to 'belong without believ ing' . Alongside the concept of vicarious religion, therefore, the approach adopted by many people can be articulated via belief or belonging, depending on the specific context (Davie 2007b: 22-5).…”