– I have a great motivation to come forward with my story because I have been in pain. I know that other people have also had that, says Robin Andersen. This weekend the book “Alone out – from Menigheten Samfundet til evig stapelse” was launched in Kristiansand. In the book, the 28-year-old tells the story of what it was like to break with the congregation he had belonged to all his life. – It was very tough because almost everyone I had around me was also a member. I feared the relationships and situations I would end up in when I made the choice, he says. The reaction from the family was strong, according to Robin. – They went all the way to the basement and the reaction was “How can you do this to us?”. It quickly became a cold relationship with several family members whom I have not seen again for many years. He emphasizes that the parents are nice and honest people. – They have done their actions in love based on the outlook on life and the understanding of reality that they have been served since they were small children. news has been in contact with Robin’s mother, who says that they do not want to comment on the book publication in the media. More than 200 people turned up at Kristiansand library when the book was launched on Saturday. It was so full that not everyone got a seat. Photo: Kjetil Samuelsen / news Received over a hundred SMS – How was it to share so much personally in the book? – It has been scary, but I feel that I am not alone in having such a story. The latter has been confirmed by Robin in the last week. He says he is “shocked” by how much response he has received. He has counted over a hundred messages on the phone from people who say that they really identify with what he says. – I have received messages both from people who have been in the same situation as him previously or are in the same situation now. There has been an incredible amount of good feedback. 02.06.23 at 12:06AA: You really hit home with me, I recognize myself in so many things. So much that is similar! Especially the confusing and subtle way of pushing you away. When and where it is appropriate to have contact is up to them. The focus is on their hurt feelings, not on you, how painful it is for you to lose good contact. Met 46 times The book was written by journalist Bjørn Markussen. He wrote several articles about the congregation Samfundet when he worked for the newspaper Fædrelandsvennen. In the articles, he has written, among other things, that the members of the congregation are not recommended to vote in elections and are not allowed to participate in the children’s train on 17 May. The congregation Samfundet Lutheran denomination which broke with the state church in 1890. Has approximately 1,750 members in Kristiansand and Egersund where there are congregations. Has its own schools where all the teachers are members of the congregation. Managed by 12 men. Can only marry each other. Robin contacted Markussen via SMS in February 2015. He had seen his articles and thought a lot about opting out. Chaos reigned in his head and he was in a life crisis. – Regardless of whether I opted out or stayed, it would be bad for me. I saw no good way out, he says. In recent years, the idea of opting out had matured. He had made a few friends outside the congregation who he describes as nice and kind people. – The picture that was described by those who stood outside the congregation was much scarier than what I experienced in those people. He contacted the journalist because he wanted to contribute and share his experiences. Markussen tells of a strong first meeting. – There was a 19-year-old in crisis, but who thought he had something to tell that a journalist should know, says the author. Journalist and author Bjørn Markussen has written the book about Robin Andersen and Menigheten Samfundet. Robin opted out in May 2015. Photo: Heidi Ditlefsen / news The two have met 46 times during these seven years. All the meetings, except for the very first one in a crowded cafe, took place secretly at home in Markussen’s kitchen. Making a book was only talked about many years later. – The book is both a story about Robin and his way out, but also a portrait of Menigheten Samfundet, says the author. All the conversations with Robin over these seven years are reproduced in the book. – You therefore see a development of what happens to him over the course of seven years. I’ve read quite a few books about “breakaways”, but never anything like this one. When he worked for Fædrelandsvennen, Markussen interviewed 22 people who had resigned from the Society. Three of these said that it had been fairly uncomplicated to opt out. – For the other 19, it would have been complicated. Relationships had changed in ways they were not happy about, he says. The book is also a portrait of the congregation Samfundet based on secret, internal documents that the author has received from members. Photo: Heidi Ditlefsen / news Marked by his upbringing, Robin today has a good life with his own small family, wife and two children. – The choice to break away from the congregation means that my children can make free, independent choices and have parents who stand up and respect the choices the children make regardless. – How is the relationship with your own family today? – I understand that it is an interesting question, but I do not wish to comment on it. The 28-year-old says that growing up in a conservative environment with strict rules still affects him to this day. He was taught that the congregation were the only ones who had the right faith and that everyone else was wrong. He was also told that only members of the church went to heaven. Everyone else ended up in hell. – Looking at all other people and having equal love and respect for all people is something I still have to work on. – Do you have any examples? – For example, when I see people working on a Sunday, hear people cursing or have sex outside of marriage, I have to take an extra step with myself and think “Yes, this is perfectly fine”. Robin hopes everyone who has sent him messages over the past week can understand that even if they feel alone, they are not. – Help is always available. There are always people who want to be there. I hope that reading the book and recognizing yourself will provide both understanding and help, says Robin Andersen. 02.06.2022 at 17:03BB: Dear, nice Robin. Now I have just finished reading the book, and I bow in the dust for how tough you have had it all these years. Most of all, I’m really sorry that there wasn’t a single adult who took you and your thoughts seriously and helped you through this. It is too much for a young person to bear.. Does not wish to comment Head of the Society Sigmund Aamot does not wish to comment on the book publication. In a message to news, he writes that it would not be right to comment on the publication since it is written around a personal story. “In such a setting, it would not be right for me to comment on this book project, or personal experiences that are described. But it is sad that some are left with negative experiences from our congregation,” writes Aamodt.
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Broke out of Menigheten Samfundet – has received over 100 messages – news Sørlandet – Local news, TV and radio
