Church in Finland increasingly seen as safety net amid changing attitudes towards religious visibility

The Church in Finland is increasingly viewed as a safety net, with 80% of the population supporting the idea that churches should remain open for reflection and provide spiritual assistance during crises, according to the recent report “The Church in Times of Uncertainty 2020–2023.” However, the acceptance of religion’s visibility in public spaces has declined. Only 75% of respondents viewed the singing of traditional hymns in schools positively, down from 85% in 2015. Support for religious education also dropped from 62% to 55%.

Interestingly, while negative perceptions towards religious visibility have not significantly increased, more individuals now maintain neutral views, indicating a normalization of religion’s role in schools. This trend is particularly evident among younger generations, who tend to be more permissive towards religious minorities. However, over a third of respondents expressed negative views towards mosques in their communities, a sentiment unchanged since 2015 despite a growing Muslim population in Finland.

Young people’s attitudes are more favorable, with a third of those under 30 having a positive view of mosques. Approximately 25% of all respondents supported the hijab, yet fewer than 10% viewed the burqa positively. On the topic of religious freedom, nearly 60% believe individuals should be free to wear religious symbols.

Despite a general decline in religiosity in Finland, the global religious population is increasing, particularly among Muslims. Factors like birth rate disparities and the geographic distribution of religious groups contribute to this trend. The report also highlighted a rise in discrimination against religions worldwide, including in Western democracies. Finland has been identified as one of the European countries where Muslims face significant discrimination, highlighting the need for greater acceptance and understanding in everyday life.