Secular youth and religious practice: candle lighting in Norwegian folk high schools. Issue 2 (4th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lövgren, Johan
• Is Part Of: British journal of religious education. Volume 40:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 124
• Page End: 135
• Publication Date: 2018-05-04
• Subjects: Youth -- religion -- reflective practice -- folk high schools; Religious education -- Periodicals; Christian education -- Periodicals; 207.5
• DOI: 10.1080/01416200.2016.1256268
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0141-6200

Abstract

Abstract: Although large international studies have defined Norway as one of the most secular countries in the world, Christian folk high schools in Norway have experienced record high attendance. This paper presents case studies of the religious education (RE) and practices of two Christian folk high schools in Norway. A survey shows that students at these schools can be considered representative of the confessional backgrounds and stated values of their cohort of Norwegian youth. The studied institutions have the declared goal of offering RE, of which an on-campus worship service is a central element. A large portion of the student body attends these services. Using a reconstruction of Etienne Wenger's theory of communities of practice, the author analyses student participation in the school worship service, specifically in the act of candle lighting. Observations and student interviews indicate that the service can be described as a reflective practice representing a dialogic form of religion. This article contributes an analysis of the distinctive form of RE offered by Christian folk high schools in Norway. In a broader sense, it contributes to the understanding of secular youth and their relation to religious practice.