Norwegian Christian Leaders: The Term ‘Christian Values’ is Divisive and Useless

Hans Morten Haugen

doi:10.3390/rel11100524

Abstract

Church leaders and politicians in several countries make frequent references to Christian values as part of a rhetoric of dividing between wanted and unwanted view and practices. Hence, even more than a source for division between adherents of different faiths, religion divides adherents of the same faith when identifying the core of religion. The article presents findings from a survey and focus group interviews with five groups of Norwegian Christian leaders: church leaders, bishops and deans from the Church of Norway, as well as leaders in mission organization and diaconal foundations. The informants are generally very hospitable towards immigrants, not particularly skeptical of Islam, and highly skeptical of politicians applying the term ‘Christian values’ for protectionist purposes. While distancing themselves from the term ‘Christian values’, informants have a clear understanding of what these values encompass. These attitudes mirror the major attitudes among the so-called church-going Norwegians in the Pew report, “Being Christian in Western Europe”, having higher appreciation of both Islam and immigration than the other groups of informants. The article proceeds by explaining and contextualizing, including how the churches have promoted conviviality in diverse societies and whether the leaders are willing to act when Christianity is applied to legitimize nativism.

Highlights

The term ‘Christian values’ is a vague term that can be used by various actors to further their ideologies and interests
Table: What do you think are the most important factors to consider faced with immigrants who come to Norway; scores (1–4) for those without the need for protection and in need of protection
There was nobody who can be interpreted to have any sympathy with linking Christianity and nativism—nativism being rejected by the current Norwegian PM (Solberg 2020)—but such linking is done by some Norwegian Christians, as will be further analyzed below

Summary

Introduction

The term ‘Christian values’ is a vague term that can be used by various actors to further their ideologies and interests. It has been increasingly applied by the Christian right, both relating to family policies and immigration. Does in this article refer to a broad movement that promotes preservation of traditional values and norms, whose main inspiration comes from certain readings of the Bible, believed to be compatible with a conservative political ideology. Jesus’ life and words do, often contradict these values, norms, and ideologies, as he did himself not embrace marriage, asked persons to leave their families and property, and embraced strangers and those held in low esteem. Compassion, and caring for the common good do often characterize those affiliating with the Christian right, but there are tendencies towards promoting preservation and maintaining heritage by using an “us versus them” rhetoric

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Results

Discussion

Conclusion