Last week the European Human Rights Court (ECHR) ruled that Italy was to remove all crucifixes from state school classroom walls.
The decision sparked immediate response from Finland’s institutions, which defended traditions found in culture and history. “Traditions are also part of the Finnish culture. In our view, for example, the Suvivirsi hymn associated with the end of the spring semester and the start of the summer holiday, or nativity plays at school Christmas parties cannot be regarded as practicing religion, but rather as relating to a tradition,” according to Marjo Kyllonen, the head the City of Helsinki Education Department.
According to Helsingin Sanomat the message for Finland’s schoolchildren is clear. “Sing hymns, build nativity crèches, invite representatives of other religions to come and join your festivities, and respect those with differing views!”
Kyllonen stated that modern Helsinki is a multicultural city where differences are celebrated as part of everyday life. “We Finns are fairly liberal. When a nativity play was presented in East Helsinki, a Muslim girl, with her parents’ consent, was chosen to portray Mary,” said Kyllonen.
In Jyvaskyla, Education Director Leena Landen said there were no disputes over religious symbols, adding that each situation called for a different tradition with regards to their use.
The crucifix has become the defining symbol of the debate, which many religious authorities feel has become an extension of growing intolerance and nihilism across Europe. The only symbol on display in all Finnish classrooms is the President’s photograph.
Groups such as the Freethinkers of Helsinki have meanwhile welcomed the European Court’s ruling with regard to Italy.
Atheism shows again that the Western Europe is going to where the Eastern Europe is coming from.
Balkanson writes in one sentence where the real danger lies.
Extreme secularisation that leads to an egocentric worldview that seems tolerant at the outset, proved in its atheistic concepts to be anti human and anti socal. Remember eastern Eurpe only twenty years ago.
According to the french magazine LeFigaro atheisitic Communism killed in less than 100 years 150.000.000 people.
We like to throw out Christianity from Europe. But what is left then? All values that we base our life are stemming from Christian views of life. The issue is not Islam, but the decline of Christianity and all the good that comes with it.
“..shackles of an oppressive religion are being removed..”
It was so stupid, that I just had to repeat it. Ha ha ha!!
Sund, thanks for your concerns – they have been noted.
Posts from this particular website user are frequently anti-Finland and some have been declined or removed in line with IceNews’s rules: we want to accommodate as many points-of-view as possible without undue offence.
The particular comment you refer to on this article we deemed acceptable as fair comment; as accusing a nation of being culturally isolationist, naive or hypocritical is not actually racism. We have approved many more scathing comments directed against Icelanders.
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Alex, editor
I’m sorry, but if this Alfred guy posted similiar comments let’s say about Turks it would be considered racism. And I’m sure if he always talked like this about Icelandics the admins of this website would do something about it. I just wanted you to know that I consider his comments racism and I don’t think it should be tolerated.
And no, I’m not from Finland… you can check my IP if you want.
Finland has an official State religion – Lutheran. No Church /State separation. This is not “liberal” Marjo, this is outdated, backwards and narrow minded. Why do Finns always have to tell us how liberal they are while they act the opposite? Marjo defends religion in the Finnish schools with the stupid statement “Traditions are also part of the Finnish culture”. Does she think that makes Finland different than any other place? Self centered Finns think they deserve different rules because they are special/unique/superior. The world is closing in on you tiny Finland, get used to it.
Atheism shows again that the Western Europe is going to where the Eastern Europe is coming from.
I agree with Jim. Sorry Runsetone, but this is not about secularization of Europe but rather the muslimification of Europe. I’m sure you know many secularists, agnostics, and athiests who have no problem working with collegues who wear cross neclaces or who even hang Xmas trees in their living rooms, etc. There is only one growing minority in Europe right now with a sour attitude towards these icons, and it is not the secularists.
And this is what left of Rome! A bunch of nuts in Strausburg decided what’s good for Italy…
Congratulation!
“Maybe we are paving the way to a religionless Finland/Europe”
Check out the difference in breeding rates between Muslims and agnostics/atheists. You’ll find the demographic answer there.
Jim, I see your point and hope it doesn’t turn out to be true. But people are not stupid: just because the shackles of an oppressive religion are being removed doesn’t mean another has to take its place. Maybe we are paving the way to a religionless Finland/Europe. That possibility makes the risk worthwhile in my mind.
[…] See more here: Finnish traditionalists moved to action over crucifix ruling … […]
The inevitable conversion to Islamic states continues. In 100 or so year will society realise that the actions of the liberal do-gooders laid the foundations for allowing Islamic Law to be established. Islam is the ultimate meme.