Posted on 09/06/2016 6:24:21 PM PDT by marshmallow
STOCKHOLM (AP) — Norway's state church has seen a record fall in membership after making it possible to join and leave the church electronically.
The Church of Norway says almost 25,000 members left in August by using a new function on the church's website. Meanwhile, about 1,200 new members joined online.
Even though the church has seen a steady decline in membership in recent decades, that's by far the biggest monthly loss in recorded history. By comparison, the church lost 8,588 members in the first seven months of 2016, before the online option was introduced.
Still, church officials appear to have no regrets, saying in a statement that the online function makes it possible to "clean up" the membership list.
(Excerpt) Read more at bigstory.ap.org ...
Any state sponsored faith has a problem to start with. The solution is not to mandate beliefs. If your beliefs infringe on others doing no harm, you have the problem.
The Church is similar to PBS in that it is state funded, so your taxes pay for it whether you are a member or not. I wonder why so many would choose to drop out if nothing mandatory is being escaped.
They’re freaking GUMMINT EMPLOYEES..!
Like with timecards, and safety rules and LOTS of other stupid, boring stuff.
The kiss of Da Gummint is the KISS OF DEATH.
Historical note:
After Mustang Ranch got taken over by the IRS for back taxes and RE-OPENED under gummint management it LOST money.
Yes, but I bet PBS would like this bit of Norwegian law...:^)
By law[26] all children who have at least one parent member who is a member, automatically become members. This has been controversial, as many become members without knowing, and as this favours the Church of Norway over other churches. This law remained unchanged even after the separation of church and state in 2012.
From wiki.
Pbs would like the uk’s tv tax that funds govt stations.
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