Neutral society is not realistic, Norwegian Christian Democrat says

Bollestad, leader of the Christian Democratic Kristelig Folkeparti (KrF) in the Norwegian parliament, writes this in an opinion article in the Norwegian newspaper Vårt Land.

The background of her article is the controversy surrounding the library in the municipality of Lindesnes. Earlier this month, a group of Christians who regularly meet on Friday evenings in one of the library’s rooms were told they were no longer welcome. According to the library, the meetings were not compatible with the Library Act, which states that “public libraries shall be an independent meeting place and arena for public discussion and debate.” Although the library management subsequently reversed its decision, the discussion was not over.

Challenge for society

In her opinion piece, Bollestad notes that the event at Lindesnes is not an isolated one. The Christian Democrat politician mentions several other “cases that indicate that the space for the Christian view of life in our society has become smaller”.

For example, in the case where “voluntary child and youth work under the auspices of Christian organisations and congregations is deprived of municipal support, because local politicians believe their teachings are not politically correct” – an issue that is currently being discussed in the municipality of Klepp. Or the case of young Muslims and Christians who refuse out of fear to share their faith on social media. Bollestad also mentions the Oslo schools that “want to end their collaboration with NLA University College due to a wording in their value document.”

Though “it should be said that several” have “gone back on their decisions”, the list is “unfortunately (too) long”, Bollestad writes. She adds that this is not just a problem for believers but a challenge for society. “In an age where we strive for diversity and inclusion, it is strange that this should not also apply to believers. Our country will be poorer if we push those who believe behind the curtains.”

Basis of democracy

Bollestad quotes the Norwegian Research Professor Dag Wollebæk of the Institute for Social Research, who stated in a report from 2013 that a solid organisational life is central to maintaining trust in modern societies and that both Christian and non-Christian organizations have a role here.

The Christian Democrat is “strongly critical” to strive for a neutral society. “Striving for neutrality is like striving for a utopia. A society with space for everyone is a society that is good for everyone.”

The very basis of liberal democracy is that we must tolerate those we strongly disagree with, Bollestad states. “A society that emphasizes diversity and inclusion needs more meeting places that both safeguard the individual’s opportunity to share existential things with like-minded people and places where we can meet across ethnicities, faiths and opinions – no less.”