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Kelli Owens
Dr. Godfrey
GCU 114
Wednesday February 27
Religion in Iceland
The very first religion Iceland ever adopted was Christianity. Christianity was the very
first official religion of the nation, however, at the time a lot of the older settlers still practiced
old pagan ways in private (Expert). By 1530 the Lutheran Reformation had came to Iceland but a
lot of the upper class people were hesitant to look into it since they were used to the Catholic
Church being the only church (Expert). The capital of Iceland, Reykjavik, was where a lot of
these religions originated since it is where the majority of people lived early on (Expert). Once
people started spreading out farther across the continent their religions traveled with them.
Like many other countries, religion shapes the social development of a country and its
culture. Religion is the source of a lot of traditions such as easter or hanukkah and these
traditions add to a country’s culture. Since the country of Iceland is made up of Christians the
country celebrates things such as Christmas and goes to church on Sundays ( Iceland). There are
variations between these groups of Christiantiy. Some of the Christians who make up the country
are catholic, some are prodestant and there is evidence of that as well within Iceland’s culture.
The most sacred places in Iceland are mostly churches (S.r.o.). Some of the most
important sacred churches are relatively new in the grand scheme of time. An example of a new
sacred religious church is The Church of Hallgrimur, this church was built in 1986 and is a major
tourist attraction in Iceland today (S.r.o.). There are other examples of older sacred places in
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Iceland that are also churches such as the Church of Thingvellir which was built in the 11th
century (S.r.o.). Most of these sacred places are along the southern coast where Iceland was first
colonized.
There are a few connections between government and religion in Iceland. One of the very
first things the small government Iceland had set up did was make Chrisitanity the official
religion of the nation. Since then things have changed but the nations religion has stayed the
same since that decision was made (Expert). The government of most countries follows a lot of
religious ideas and texts and the same goes for Iceland. Even though Iceland has a unique
government it still holds its religion and its influence close to itself.
Today Iceland still cherishes its religious history and influences all of its religious
beginnings had. This is shown by them promoting the use of their sacred centers for both
practice and tourism. The people of Iceland has allowed their religion to shape their culture and
their identity of people from that country. Although these ideas of religion have changed in
modern perspectives it is not something these people push away or are ashamed of. Religion in
Iceland is not as prevalent as it used to be but it is present and there is a lot of appreciation for it.
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Works Cited
Ask the Expert: What is the largest religion in Iceland? (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://icelandmag.is/article/ask-expert-what-largest-religion-iceland
https://travel.sygic.com/en/list/religious-places-to-visit-in-iceland-country:3