Sample questions: A secular state and a multi-religious country
Freedom of religion, the neutrality of the state and the religions present in Sweden.
Sweden is a secular state: the state is religiously neutral and neither favours nor discriminates against any religion. For a long time the Protestant Lutheran church was the only permitted religion; in 1860 it became possible to leave the Church of Sweden if you joined another Christian denomination, and the Religious Freedom Act of 1951 gave full freedom to choose a faith or none. In 2000 the state and the Church of Sweden were separated, and today the Church of Sweden is one denomination among several but still the largest Christian one with around five million members. Jewish history in Sweden goes back to the 18th century and Jews received full civil rights in 1870. Islam is today the second largest religion in the country; the first mosques were built in the 1970s. Hinduism and Buddhism arrived mainly during the 20th century.
The questions below are written by Medborgarklar for practice. They are not taken from a real test, they are not published by UHR, and we do not claim they have appeared in a sitting.
8 questions with answers and explanations
What does the state guarantee regarding religion in Sweden?
- AOnly Christian denominations are permitted
- BThe state appoints the leaders of religious communities
- CEveryone must belong to a religious community
- DEveryone has the right to decide for themselves whether to belong to a religion or not
Correct answer: D. Everyone has the right to decide for themselves whether to belong to a religion or not
Why: Sweden is a secular state. The state guarantees everyone the right to decide for themselves whether or not to belong to a particular religion. Under the Instrument of Government everyone has the right to practise their religion and nobody may be discriminated against because of their faith.
What happened to the Church of Sweden's status in the year 2000?
- AThe Church of Sweden became a state church
- BThe Church of Sweden was banned
- CThe state and the Church of Sweden separated and the church became one denomination among several
- DThe Church of Sweden merged with the Catholic Church
Correct answer: C. The state and the Church of Sweden separated and the church became one denomination among several
Why: When the state and the Church of Sweden separated in 2000, the Church of Sweden became one of several religious communities in society. It is still the largest Christian denomination in Sweden, with about five million members.
What does it mean that Sweden is a secular state?
- AThe state decides which religion you must have
- BReligion is prohibited in Sweden
- CThe state is religiously neutral and neither favours nor discriminates against any religion
- DEveryone must belong to the Church of Sweden
Correct answer: C. The state is religiously neutral and neither favours nor discriminates against any religion
Why: Sweden is a secular state. This means the state is religiously neutral and neither takes sides for nor discriminates against any religion. The state guarantees everyone the right to decide for themselves whether to belong to a religion.
In which year did the Swedish Religious Freedom Act give full freedom to choose a faith or none?
- A1951
- B1979
- C2000
- D1860
Correct answer: A. 1951
Why: The final breakthrough for freedom of religion came with the Religious Freedom Act of 1951, which made it possible to freely choose a religion or to belong to none at all.
In which year were the state and the Church of Sweden separated?
- A1995
- B2000
- C1951
- D1860
Correct answer: B. 2000
Why: When the state and the Church of Sweden were separated in 2000, the Church of Sweden became one denomination among several. It is still the largest Christian denomination in Sweden.
Approximately how many members does the Church of Sweden have?
- AAround one million
- BAround one hundred thousand
- CAround nine million
- DAround five million
Correct answer: D. Around five million
Why: The Church of Sweden has around five million members and has historical roots in the Lutheran, Protestant tradition.
Which is the second largest religion in Sweden today?
- AIslam
- BJudaism
- CHinduism
- DBuddhism
Correct answer: A. Islam
Why: Islam is today the second largest religion in the country, and there are mosques and prayer rooms throughout Sweden.
When were Sweden's first mosques built?
- ADuring the 19th century
- BDuring the 1950s
- CDuring the 2010s
- DDuring the 1970s
Correct answer: D. During the 1970s
Why: At the start of the 20th century there were only a few Muslims in Sweden. The number grew through immigration after the Second World War, and during the 1970s Sweden's first mosques were built.