Religions and ethics

Under the Constitution, there is freedom of religion and conscience in Finland. Religious communities pursuant to the Act on Freedom of Religion have been registered in the Register of Associations.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Orthodox Church are national churches. They have autonomous status and the right to levy church tax. The majority of church activities take place at the local level in parishes. Baptised members of the church belong to the parish where they live.

Churches cooperate with local authorities in child and youth work and in family work. Their activities also include Christian social work (i.e. Diakonia) and missionary work.

The government is in charge of the Faculty of Theology and military and prison pastoral care. In comprehensive and upper secondary school pupils are given instruction in their own religion or in ethics. Pupils who belong to church communities other than the national churches receive education in their own religion if they expect it, and there are at least three pupils to participate. Those who do not belong to any religious community are given education in ethics.

In the Evangelical Lutheran Church’s confirmation classes teenagers learn about Christianity and parish activities and discuss values. Young people who are ideologically non-aligned can attend Prometheus Camps.

Religions and philosophies of life in Finland

• Freedom of religion and conscience
  Information on the Finnish constitution, whose Section 11 handles freedom of religion and conscience.
  
  http://www.om.fi/21910.htm
  Ministry of Justice
• Religion and churches
  Role of churches in Finland and features of Finnish religiousness.
  
  http://finland.fi/Public/default.aspx?contentid=160099&nodeid=41800&culture=en-US
  Ministry for Foreign Affairs
• Church-related matters
  On the status of the Evangelical Lutheran and Orthodox Church, religious education and other religious groups. Information on Freedom of Religion Act.
  
  http://www.minedu.fi/OPM/Kirkollisasiat/?lang=en
  Ministry of Education and Culture
• Religious communities
  Information on registration of religious communities in the register of associations.
  
  http://www.prh.fi/en/yhdistysrekisteri/uskonnolliset_yhdyskunnat.html
  National Board of Patents and Registration of Finland NBPR

Youth work

• Confirmation classes
  Confirmation classes held by the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
  
  http://evl.fi/EVLen.nsf/Documents/9446212318241A74C22572B400213CD4?OpenDocument&lang=EN
  Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland
• Prometheus Camps
  Non-denominational 'coming of age' camps for 14-15-year-olds.
  
  http://www.protu.fi/english/prometheuscamps
  Prometheus Camp Association

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