The matter in summary Hægebostad has the country’s most ardent churchgoers with an average of 2.93 church visits last year, according to new figures from Statistics Norway. This is far higher than the national average, which is 0.59 church visits a year. The parish priest in Hægebostad, Bernt Rune Sandrip, believes it is not correct to call itself Norway’s “most Christian” municipality based on church attendance. Sandrip praises the local community and the congregation for their faithful work, which he believes is the reason for the high number of church visits. Karlsøy in Troms and Finnmark is the country’s “least Christian” municipality, according to Statistics Norway. Mayor of Karlsøy, Mona Benjaminsen, believes that the municipality’s residents are spiritual and spiritual, and that many see outdoor life as a way to talk to God. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAi. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. – We must give credit to God, first of all, says Bernt Rune Sandrib with a smile. He is the parish priest in Hægebostad, the municipality where we find the country’s most ardent churchgoers. The “most Christian” municipalities Hægebostad (2.93) (Agder) Fitjar (2.04) (Vestland) Engerdal (1.97) (Inlandet) Rollag (1.95) (Viken) Suldal (1.95) (Rogaland ) Kvitsøy (1.88) (Rogaland) Fedje (1.87) (Vestland) Bjerkreim (1.82) (Rogaland) Bokn (1.80) (Rogaland) Gloppen (1.73) (Vestland) The inhabitants had on average 2.93 church visits last year, according to new figures from Statistics Norway (SSB). That is far higher than the national average, which is 0.59 church visits a year. – Can’t measure Christianity Even though Hægebostad sits at the top of the statistics, the parish priest is not that impressed by the figures. – It may not be very impressive with three church visits a year. But when we spread it across the population, it is encouraging that so many people visit the church. Photo: Tom Nicolai Kolstad / news Nor does he think it would be right to call itself Norway’s “most Christian” municipality. – It may be that there are more people who have the boldness to come to church, but I certainly don’t think we should claim that we are more Christian. We cannot measure Christianity on the basis of the individual person’s church attendance. But that people want to come to church, they do. The house is full on Sundays in Hægebostad church. Photo: Privat / news The parish priest praises the local community and the congregation, and gives them credit for Hægebostad coming out on top of the statistics. – It is about people who have carried out faithful work with children, young people, association work and missionary work. Through long times, and who still do. And who is happy to belong to the church. The country’s “least Christian” municipality On the other side of the country, we have Karlsøy in Troms and Finnmark, which is the country’s “least Christian” municipality, according to Statistics Norway. That surprises mayor Mona Benjaminsen (Ap). The mayor believes that nature is an important part of the lives of the residents of Karlsøy, including their relationship with God. Photo: Dina Storvik / news – We are spiritual and spiritual people, and a large outdoor municipality. For many people, going for a walk can be a way of talking to God, says Benjaminsen. The mayor herself is an active churchgoer, and says that she feels that the services are well attended. The “least Christian” municipalities Karlsøy (0.26) (Troms) Nord-Odal (0.27) (Inlandet) Berlevåg (0.30) (Finnmark) Lillestrøm (0.30) (Viken) Lørenskog (0.30) (Viken) Nesodden (0.30) (Viken) Øvre Eiker (0.32) (Viken) Ullensaker (0.33) (Viken) Rælingen (0.33) (Viken) Oslo (0.33) (Oslo) – Our priest is an incredibly nice guy, with nice and philosophical sermons. And I think he is most concerned with the conversation you have with the god you have, regardless of whether you are in church or in nature. Karlsøy mayor Mona Benjaminsen. Photo: Øystein Antonsen / news How Christian are the counties: Here are the counties ranked according to the average number of church visits per inhabitant, on Sundays or public holidays in 2023. Agder (0.93) Rogaland (0.86) Møre og Romsdal (0.79) Vestland (0.67) Inland (0.65) Troms and Finnmark (0.63) Nordland (0.63) Vestfold and Telemark (0.58) Trøndelag (0.57) Viken (0.44) Oslo (0.33 ) Published 27.08.2024, at 13.25 Updated 27/08/2024, at 21.12
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Hægebostad is Norway’s “most Christian” municipality – news Sørlandet – Local news, TV and radio
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