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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

Iceland. (n.d.). Retrieved from ​https://www.everyculture.com/Ge-It/Iceland.html

S.r.o., T. (n.d.). Must Visit Religious Places in Iceland. Retrieved from

https://travel.sygic.com/en/list/religious-places-to-visit-in-iceland-country:3

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