HELSINKI, Finland/GENEVA, (LWI) - Recently enacted laws in Finland have contributed to decreased membership in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland (ELCF) according to ELCF Archbishop Jukka Paarma. However, the new law on religious freedom and the law concerning funerals have also led to significant debate in Finland on the meaning of church membership for individual Christians.
"What does it mean that one is a church member? Is it only that you pay membership fee, some tax, and get some services in return or is that membership something more? Does membership signify a commitment to the faith that churches represent?" Paarma reflected in a recent interview with Lutheran World Information (LWI).
The law on religious freedom came into force in August 2003 while that on funerals was effected early this year. Previously, religious education in public schools emphasized the concept of "confessional religious education." With the new law, the teaching of religion continues, but allows all pupils to have access to such instruction in their respective faith tradition. Freedom of religion is understood as an individual's right to confess and practice faith, and belong to a religious denomination. The role of the state is to ensure freedom of religion and create the right conditions for it, the archbishop explained.
Paarma said the new laws have affected membership in the ELCF, currently with over 4.6 million members representing around 84 percent of the Finnish population. While there were notable declines in membership during significant periods of social, political and economic changes in the country in the past, the current decrease, although not higher than during the 1990s recession, was remarkable.
Requirements for Leaving Church Made Easier
According to the 2004 ELCF Annual Report there were several peaks of cessation of membership between the two laws of freedom of religion (1923 and 2003). The first was after the 1923 introduction of the law of religious freedom, during which time, members of religious minorities in particular left the Lutheran church. The number of those leaving the church increased again after the Second World War, when antagonism to the church was fierce, especially in the labor movement. The number of resignations began to drop at the beginning of the 1960s when church tax levying was transferred from the parishes to the state. A sharp rise in resignations in 1984 was caused by the General Synod's decision not to accept the ordination of women, which was accepted two years later. By the end of the decade, the number of those leaving and joining the church was nearly equal. In 2003 around 27,000 persons left the ELCF while some 10,000 new members were registered. The report notes that last year's resignations increased from the previous year's by over 10,000 individuals.
The new law of religion makes it easy for people to leave the church, the ELCF archbishop explained. The month-long notice period is no longer a requirement for individuals wishing to discontinue membership in a religious denomination. Neither does the resignation letter need to be delivered personally.
Concern over New Regulations on Burial Grounds
Another reason for leaving the Lutheran church are new regulations governing burial grounds, said Paarma. Under the law effective January 2004, Lutheran cemeteries now serve as public burial grounds, and even those who are not church members have the right to a grave there. Accordingly, grave fees are no longer cheaper for ELCF members, and funeral fees are the same for all Finns. "Many church members are disappointed that they've paid church tax all their life, and now those who have never paid anything get a grave site and funeral at the same price." But he pointed out that the state subsidizes for such services "so we cannot say it is not right, but there is a feeling of betrayal on
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