Irreligion in Norway

[9] In 1997, public primary schools were required to teach a course titled “Christianity, Religions and Life Stances”.

The course was revised in 2008, renamed as “Religion, Philosophies of Life and Ethics” in an attempt to further incorporate both Humanist and non-Christian teachings into public education.

By far the biggest, oldest and most visible is the Norwegian Humanist Association (HEF), founded in 1956, which has close to 100,000 members.

The HEF offers civil alternatives for wedding, funeral, and Confirmation ceremonies which may typically be facilitated through religious institutions.

[18][15] In light of the Church of Norway being supported through taxation, nearly 600[10] additional faith and life stance organisations such as the HEF have the opportunity to apply for and receive financial support proportional to the Church of Norway based on membership.

[19] When the city council of Oslo permitted public broadcasting of Islamic prayer calls in 2000, the Norwegian Heathen Society, in protest, applied for and was permitted the right to broadcast anti-religious sentiments in public spaces as well.

[20] A 2021 study comparing secularization across Norway, Denmark, and Sweden using survey data from 1998, 2008, and 2018 found that affiliation with National Lutheran Churches among the Norwegian population dropped from nearly 89% in 1998 to 69.8% in 2018.