Icelandic Worldview

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https://worldviewjourneys.com/worldview-journey/

It is hard to say what Iceland's main worldview is. Everything started with Christianity and traditional Nordic beliefs, however nowadays we can observe increasing religious diversity. More and more people become atheists. In 2015, a survey in Iceland found that 46% of respondents considered themselves believers, 30% did not, and 24% were unsure. Additionally, almost 69% considered themselves Christians, 23% as atheists, and about 9% supported other religions or beliefs according to „Facing the New Situation of Religious Education in Iceland” by Gunnar J. Gunnarsson. Especially among the younger generation religion is less impactful than it used to be for older generations. Iclenadinc’s educational system has adapted to growing multiculturalism so children are taught the positive seeing in this increasing case. Even in the older generations, small changes are visible. Traditional Christian holidays and celebrations are still celebrated. There is an increasing number of exceptions where the events take place without the strict Church’s teaching. For example, funerals for atheists or marriage are getting more popular, the ritual is almost the same as for religious people however it is organized without the head of the church.

https://images.app.goo.gl/qU4VyDfivU2Ki59W8

Icelandics feel a strong connection with nature. It is not only a historic meaning but also a cultural one. They love traveling around their country more than anything else and keeping it in the same condition is their priority. Moreover, traditional Norse beliefs are rooted in nature. A BBC article says “Surveys suggest that more than half of Icelanders believe in, or at least entertain the possibility of the existence of, the Huldufolk - the hidden people”. They are supernatural beings that look like humans that live in nature but live in a parallel world to ours which is why we can not see them.

When it comes to death, Icelandic culture was highly influenced by both secular and spiritual beliefs. The secular perspective is focused on traditional religious and cultural practices. Since many of them are still Lutheran Christians they practice tradition. The funerals take place in church and are performed by a priest. The ceremony includes Bible, hymns, and prayers The dead body can be cremated or buried. After the ceremony, it is placed in the grave. On the ground, a wooden cross is placed and people bring buckets. What surprised me was that it is common to announce a death in a national Icelandic newspaper.

the Sagas of Iceland
https://images.app.goo.gl/WXrDbBak3zooP7647

In Icelandic folklore, there are death rituals too that can be found in the Sagas of Iceland. People used to treat the dead body especially because they believed it would stop the body from coming back to life and causing trouble for the living.

Icelandic worldview is fairly homogeneous because of its small population and unique point of view where tradition and modernism are combined. Iceland is one of the most secular countries in the world because a significant portion of the population identifies as non-religious or atheist. This attitude coexists with a strong cultural connection to Lutheran Christianity. Another common worldview is Asatru. “It is a modern religion that revives, reconstructs, and reimagines the ancient polytheism of Northern Europe” according to Thor’s Oak Kindred.

According to Iceland’s National Assembly, which has about 1,400 participants, the most important values for society are equality, respect, freedom, justice, and responsibility. With increasing immigration, some religious traditions come from Islam, Buddhism, and Catholicism. Iceland is known for its tolerance and encouragement to be yourself. That is why no religion dominates significantly.

If you want to learn more about old Northic religions I recommend you this video https://youtu.be/7ZTnd93qm30?si=spKKxamvz1vrUUz9


Websites I also used to write this blog:

https://www.mountainguides.is/blog/icelanders-love-of-land-and-language

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hulduf%C3%B3lk

https://www.icelandreview.com/news/integrity-named-iceland%E2%80%99s-most-important-value/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icelandic_funeral

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