Humanism in Norway

Jim Herrick interviews Lars Gunnar Lingas, Director of the Norwegian Humanist Association.

How has humanism in Norway go to where it is now? How hs it been so successful?

The first development came when Krisian Horn, who was the founder of the Association, started with some academics who tried to build up an organisation which would fight for the rights of unbelievers in Norway. They managed to build up a contact network all over the country, which was used during the eighties when Levi Fragell took over. He had a very successful period as Director of this organisation. Levi looked at society and had vision of how to make the humanist movement a stronger, popular movement. Then the basic activity was to fight against the state Church. There was a move to encourage people to consider their membership of the Lutheran Church and to leave it.

We have had a very good financial situation, since we had the possibility of receiving people’s Church tax. In 1982, we got a system where all our members could declare that the part of their tax going to the Church should be transferred to us. And we go the same rights as other religions. From then the progress of the increase of the humanists has been considerable. We have had 2,000-4,000 new members annually in recent years. The total membership is 52,000 in a population of 4 million. So we have the support of about one-and-a-half percent of the population.

Yes, in the last fall we got figures showing that 17 per cent of the population define themselves as humanists. That is possibly 700,000-800,000 people. We have large numbers who not members but are sympathetic to us. I would give most of the honour of the growth of membership to Levi Fragell. He was an expert on advertising and the Association was able to take advantage of his skills. In the last two years we have gained 6,000 new members (not net). There is an interesting analysis of that new group of members showing that more than half of them are less than 34 years old. I find that very inspiring, because it offers a promising youthful membership. Many members are under 25 years. There is now some slowing in the growth.

They are a way of reaching people. There are about 120,000 a year attending ceremonies. That is a very important gate to the people.

This has increased tremendously in the last two years. The press cuttings gives us reason for optimism, because we are increasingly mentioned in the media.

Yes, we have probably four members in the government and 13 members of the Parliament (out of 170 MPs). We have a lot of distinguished people among our members. In my opinion we are not using them enough.

In my period as Director we have tried some aggressive advertising. For instance, we have had some strong attacks on paying church tax.

Yes. But we received an award for our adverts. Last year we had some advertising about religion in schools.

No, there is the possibility of having life stance education instead of religious education. The conditions of this alternative are very bad. Our main aim is to have combined education in which all students are gathered together in a neutral education about different life stances. We have a struggle going on in Norway: how should the schools teach religion and life stances? Probably this year or next year we can win this century’s greatest victory for freethinkers, namely to get rid of confessional religious reaching. There is a committee working on that now and we have support from many parts of Nowegian society – teachers’ organisations, different political parties, even one of the bishops. But I think we have some problems with public opinion. I got a poll today showing that 41 percent wanted this common education in life stances, but 51 percent wanted to keep the president system. We have had much advertising on this issue.

Another issue has been the demand for a law prohibiting female genital mutilation. That is a fight we have had for a couple of years and we have sent to the Ministry has now at last taken action and proposed legislation according to our proposal.

It does. On the other hand we have great support from women’s organisations in Africa. It should not discriminate against any race. The tradition is not even religious, but cultural. It has to do with the dignity of women. Women are fighting for this all over the world.

These two issues were the theme of advertisements last year. It didn’t bring us many new members, but it put important issues on the agenda. Other issues have been the struggle against neo-fascist groups and developing a dialogue with some parts of the Church.

We have a possibility of continuing with criticism of religion and churches which will consolidate our position. We also have the challenge to say what we are for. What are the values of humanism? What can be offered to our members, what activities concerning needs for ceremonies, need for belonging to an organisation and being part of a personal network. I am trying to build up this positive side. But many in the Association have worked against the church and this new direction is controversial. Other new directions involve developing the humanist wedding ceremony and possibly embarking on publishing projects. I would like to see an increase of research and even the establishment of some kind of humanist institute.