Extracts from Professor Paul Knutsen’s Norwegian language Life Before Death – the Norwegian Humanist Association 1956-2006. Translation of extracts by Roar Johnsen

Throughout the 50 years of its existence, the Norwegian Humanist Association has been a distinct voice in Norwegian public debate. It has untiringly fought for separation of Church and State, against Christian object clauses in kindergarten and schools, for freedom of religion and beliefs, for human rights, equal rights for women and the rights of minorities.

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Leaders in the Norwegian Humanist Association have long since acknowledged the need to stimulate membership through ‘selective incentives’: if people are going to join us, we must offer something they otherwise would not get. The membership magazine is one such incentive, financial advantage like lower prices on the ceremony services another. .. Being able to divert your ‘church tax’
to the Association has also appealed to many members … However, the principle of solidarity has always been visibly present in the Norwegian Humanist Association: it is a question of making the world a better place to be, not only for yourself, but for others as well.

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“Knowledge of Christianity in our country is one of the most central culture-supporting subjects in the school. A person who does not know the content of Christian faith, tradition and teachings, does not know our country, our customs, our language, our art, our values and our norms. The subject is basically giving essential knowledge – what you have to know to be able to interpret and to choose … all children and youth should have a solid teaching in biblical history and church history, both because it raises, illuminates and bring to life the great questions in life, and because it ties each person’s identity to the big stream that has made sedimentary deposits in every corner of our country, and through the multitude of traditions reaches most of the corners of our minds”.
– Minister of education Gudmund Hernes addressing parliament on March 7, 1995, introducing the new mandatory topic “Christianity, religion and belief“.