With a land mass not much bigger than twice that of Massachusetts, including 406 islands, and 5.5 million people, Denmark is a unique country in more ways than one. After being here for four weeks, I have personally validated that the Danes are the happiest people in the world. Most people seem to not have a single worry on their mind which is ironic considering the internal workings of the society pertaining to culture and religion.
Nearly 94 percent of the Danish population belongs to the National Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark. As the official state religion with an overwhelming majority of members, one would assume that the Danes are characterized by and reflect Lutheran beliefs. On the contrary, Denmark is by far the most non-religious society I have ever encountered. Even though nearly the entire population is Christian Evangelical Lutheran, an astonishing majority of the society claims to be non-believers. Denmark is home to the third largest atheist and agnostic population in the world.
I find it harshly ironic that a country whose history lies in the Middle Ages and Renaissance period now possesses hardly any religion at all. The Danish Constitution, written in 1849, clearly states that the Evangelical Lutheran Church is the Danish People's Church (paragraph 4). Further along in the constitution, that statement is justified by saying that no one is required to personally contribute to any form of religion other than his own (paragraph 68). Even though it was written over 150 years ago, the constitution still accurately describes the Danish way of life concerning religion.
Denmark recently received the title as the happiest country in to world. That description puts a whole new twist on the importance of religion in a society. In many parts of the world, religion and belief is seen as a source of internal peace and comfort. Many religions find obedient practice a sign of goodness and passage to a higher being in another life. With an alarming number of atheists and agnostics, it is bewildering that Denmark can still be the happiest country. That single fact contradicts what has seemed like a concrete belief for centuries that you believe in a higher power, you live your life according to its doctrine, and you live a happy life. It seems all too simple and yet completely invalid after analyzing the Danish culture.
After struggling with this theory, I found it necessary to find what it is that makes Denmark an ideal place to live. While living here for a month, I have discovered that the Danes are extremely family-oriented. Family, friendships, and relationships with one's self illuminate the culture and send waves of contentment throughout the population. Even a foreign onlooker cannot help but smile at the site of true happiness radiating from a society. With a strong sense of family, Danish dinners can last hours only to be followed by more family time in the sitting room. They truly contribute to their own religion that fits their desires and needs as mapped out in the constitution. The Danes have proven that one can be traditional and proper without conforming to rules of the past. In my mind, this alone characterizes an ideal modern society.
One aspect of Danish society that I find perplexing among a family-oriented culture is the lack of marriage. I have encountered numerous couples who have kids and simply live together without getting married. This concept seems to makes sense on the surface considering the lack of religion and tax benefits of being married. It just seems odd to meet a 50 year old woman with 5 kids and her live-in boyfriend of 20 years. In the United States, marriage is not only a religious tradition but a commonality among those who love another person. It is such a key aspect of American culture that even people of all sexual orientations want to get married. In other societies and religions, marriage is sometimes mandatory and a means of acceptance among a family and culture. It is clear that the Danes view traditions that may be common in another country differently. It truly is a much more complex society that most people think and the nature of its being will be examined to great extents throughout the upcoming years.
I find it harshly ironic that a country whose history lies in the Middle Ages and Renaissance period now possesses hardly any religion at all. The Danish Constitution, written in 1849, clearly states that the Evangelical Lutheran Church is the Danish People's Church (paragraph 4). Further along in the constitution, that statement is justified by saying that no one is required to personally contribute to any form of religion other than his own (paragraph 68). Even though it was written over 150 years ago, the constitution still accurately describes the Danish way of life concerning religion.
Denmark recently received the title as the happiest country in to world. That description puts a whole new twist on the importance of religion in a society. In many parts of the world, religion and belief is seen as a source of internal peace and comfort. Many religions find obedient practice a sign of goodness and passage to a higher being in another life. With an alarming number of atheists and agnostics, it is bewildering that Denmark can still be the happiest country. That single fact contradicts what has seemed like a concrete belief for centuries that you believe in a higher power, you live your life according to its doctrine, and you live a happy life. It seems all too simple and yet completely invalid after analyzing the Danish culture.
After struggling with this theory, I found it necessary to find what it is that makes Denmark an ideal place to live. While living here for a month, I have discovered that the Danes are extremely family-oriented. Family, friendships, and relationships with one's self illuminate the culture and send waves of contentment throughout the population. Even a foreign onlooker cannot help but smile at the site of true happiness radiating from a society. With a strong sense of family, Danish dinners can last hours only to be followed by more family time in the sitting room. They truly contribute to their own religion that fits their desires and needs as mapped out in the constitution. The Danes have proven that one can be traditional and proper without conforming to rules of the past. In my mind, this alone characterizes an ideal modern society.
One aspect of Danish society that I find perplexing among a family-oriented culture is the lack of marriage. I have encountered numerous couples who have kids and simply live together without getting married. This concept seems to makes sense on the surface considering the lack of religion and tax benefits of being married. It just seems odd to meet a 50 year old woman with 5 kids and her live-in boyfriend of 20 years. In the United States, marriage is not only a religious tradition but a commonality among those who love another person. It is such a key aspect of American culture that even people of all sexual orientations want to get married. In other societies and religions, marriage is sometimes mandatory and a means of acceptance among a family and culture. It is clear that the Danes view traditions that may be common in another country differently. It truly is a much more complex society that most people think and the nature of its being will be examined to great extents throughout the upcoming years.
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