Crucifix dispute stirs defenders of tradition

Decision-makers: "Sing hymns, build nativity scenes!"

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The Finnish decision-makers’ message to schoolchildren is: “Sing hymns, build nativity creches, invite representatives of other religions to come and join your festivities, and respect those with differing views!”
      According to the Tuesday ruling by the European Human Rights Court (ECHR) crucifixes are to be removed from the walls of state school classrooms in Italy.
      The verdict stirred also the representatives of various Finnish institutions to arms in the defence of strong traditions founded in one’s own culture and history.
      “Traditions are also part of the Finnish culture. In our view, for example, the Suvivirsi hymn associated with the end of the spring semester and the start of the summer holiday, or nativity plays at school Christmas parties cannot be regarded as practicing religion, but rather as relating to a tradition”, emphasises Marjo Kyllönen, the head of education at the City of Helsinki Education Department.
     
Kyllönen points out that today’s Helsinki is a multicultural city, where different religions are everyday reality. “We Finns are fairly liberal. When a nativity play was presented in East Helsinki, a Muslim girl, with her parents’ consent, was chosen to portray Mary”, Kyllönen recalls.
      Education Director Leena Landén from the central city of Jyväskylä says that there have not been disputes in the city regarding religious symbols.
      It is perfectly fine to continue their traditional use - in accordance with each situation.
      According to Jyväskylä vicar Jukka Keskitalo of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, the schools are able to differentiate between teaching religion and practicing it, just as Parliament postulated when passing the law on freedom of religion.
      Metropolitan Ambrosius of the diocese of Helsinki of the Finnish Orthodox Church says in turn that nihilism and intolerance are growing in intensity in Europe.
      The crucifix has become the symbol of this tendency, when fundamentally the target is the pluralism of the world.
      “Congregation halls and churches are also public places. Will people start insisting next that even these places should not display Christian symbols?” asks archbishop Leo, head of the Finnish Orthodox Church.
     
Kuopio Evangelical Lutheran bishop Wille Riekkinen reckons that as such the Italian crucifix dispute could not even spread to Finland. Throughout the centuries the Lutheran Church has concentrated on spreading the word and singing hymns, while the use of symbols typical to Roman Catholicism has been minimised.
      “Only the president’s photograph can now be found on the classroom walls”, Riekkinen laughs.
      Chairman Jussi K. Niemelä of Freethinkers of Helsinki is of the opinion that the EHRC decision emphasises the principles of neutralism in public places.
      “We are glad. The ruling is in line with our main goal to separate the state and the church from one another.”


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Finnish-born woman wins ECHR verdict over State of Italy in crucifix dispute (4.11.2009)

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