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<img height='250' src='http://vaticanstamps.org/VPS/images/296/C89.jpg' > 
Travels of Pope John Paul II in 1989 Scandinavia, June 1-10, 1989 Scott C89 (1990)
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We are grateful to our friend and VPS member Patrick Moore for providing additional insights and perspectives into the Daily Emails and Page 2 articles we present to our membership. Patrick provided some feedback to today's Daily Email on Christianity in Iceland when we first presented it. He offers the following regarding Christianity in Scandinavia:
<blockquote>”About two years ago, an article about Christianity in Scandinavia in appeared in "Gabriel," the journal of the German society for religious topicals of the same name. The author wrote extensively about the spread of Christianity and the emergence of new saints and religious leaders in Scandinavia over the centuries and about the stamps depicting them. He remarked that these countries and their histories are very little known here in Germany, even though some of them are popular with vacationers. I said to myself that this man is right and began closing some gaps in my own knowledge about Scandinavia, particularly as Sweden and Finland were applying to join NATO. It has been a rewarding experience, both intellectually and for my stamp collection.” </blockquote>
A quick Google search finds that Christianity, in the form of Lutheranism, is the predominant belief across Scandinavia. As a specific example, the religious breakdown in Sweden is:
<li>Lutheran (Church of Sweden): 60.2% 
<li>”Other” Religion (including Roman Catholic): 8.5% 
<li>Not identified or No Religion: 31.3%
 
The numbers seen in Iceland are similar to those found in Sweden.
 
Unfortunately, even for those identifying with a religion, church attendance is low, with three-quarters of Swedes showing low levels of religious commitment. Surveys reveal that 65% “seldom” attend religious services, with attendance for Christians usually limited to “significant rituals and ceremonies”, such as baptisms, marriages and funerals.
 
We all gain a “rewarding experience” when we are able to make the connection between our stamp collections and the topics and events found in the world all around us. Here is just another example of our hobby helping us expand our knowledge.
 
REFERENCES:
<li>Chara Scroope, Cultural Atlas, 2007, <a href='https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/swedish-culture/swedish-culture-religion'>Swedish Culture: Christianity in Sweden</a> 
<li>Vatican Philatelic Society website, www.vaticanstamps.org, Stamp Database Search

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