Title: Hello from Finland
Post by: Fennia on June 28, 2010, 09:10:26 AM
Post by: Fennia on June 28, 2010, 09:10:26 AM
Hello everybody, and greetings from Finland! :brick: ). It has been in our constitution since 1922 that an individual has the freedom to believe and practice whichever faith (or lack of) they see fit. I find it contradictory, that the Evangelic Lutheran Church is held as the official “state churchâ€, courtesy of the constitution. :)
I was about five (we start school at 7 in case you wonder) when I started attending a play-group organized by the Church (the only part time activity available at the time). One day, we’d had a color-in-picture of a Jesus to do, accompanied by a biblical story. 25 years later I still remember vividly how I felt, coloring the picture of someone who, judging by the ridiculous story, must be just a weird fairy-tale man, or something on the lines. I was only five, but the whole thing smelled fishy to me. Every other picture I took home proudly, hopping all the way. This one I had carried at an arm’s length, with a look of disdain on my face.
So, ironically, in a country full of “non-believing church membersâ€, I have at times been made to feel an outsider and not accepted for being openly non-believing non-church-member, and it’s nice to find a place like HAF with so many like-minded people and good conversation.
I was about five (we start school at 7 in case you wonder) when I started attending a play-group organized by the Church (the only part time activity available at the time). One day, we’d had a color-in-picture of a Jesus to do, accompanied by a biblical story. 25 years later I still remember vividly how I felt, coloring the picture of someone who, judging by the ridiculous story, must be just a weird fairy-tale man, or something on the lines. I was only five, but the whole thing smelled fishy to me. Every other picture I took home proudly, hopping all the way. This one I had carried at an arm’s length, with a look of disdain on my face.
So, ironically, in a country full of “non-believing church membersâ€, I have at times been made to feel an outsider and not accepted for being openly non-believing non-church-member, and it’s nice to find a place like HAF with so many like-minded people and good conversation.
Title: Re: Hello from Finland
Post by: pinkocommie on June 28, 2010, 09:45:09 AM
Post by: pinkocommie on June 28, 2010, 09:45:09 AM
I had no idea Finland started school at 7. Thanks for sharing your story! Welcome to the forum. 
Title: Re: Hello from Finland
Post by: Tank on June 28, 2010, 09:49:41 AM
Post by: Tank on June 28, 2010, 09:49:41 AM
Welcome Fennia
Cecile is a Norwegian neighbour of yours. I saw you looking around yesterday and it's nice to see you join in today.
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What's on your mind today? (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=8597#p8597) The general chit chat thread.
Somewhere to discuss the fear of dying. (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=70041#p70041) Many ex-theists have to come to terms with death, this is a place to discuss this issue.
How to tell your family you are an atheist. (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=69387#p69387) Some suggestions about how to deal with this thorny issue.
Parenting Beyond Belief. (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/viewforum.php?f=44) The forum for discussing how to raise your children 'Faith Free'.
.
Cecile is a Norwegian neighbour of yours. I saw you looking around yesterday and it's nice to see you join in today.
Useful links for new members
Mission Statement (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/portal.php) Why this place is here.
Forum Rules (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=18210#p18210) More of a set of guidelines really, upset Whitney (She who must be obeyed) and you'll find the exit door very quickly!
How do I use the quote feature? (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=3442#p3442) If you are new to forums this is an important feature to understand. The maximum number of nested quotes is 3.
Help desk. (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/viewforum.php?f=39) Any problems this is where to ask them.
What's on your mind today? (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=8597#p8597) The general chit chat thread.
Somewhere to discuss the fear of dying. (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=70041#p70041) Many ex-theists have to come to terms with death, this is a place to discuss this issue.
How to tell your family you are an atheist. (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=69387#p69387) Some suggestions about how to deal with this thorny issue.
Parenting Beyond Belief. (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/viewforum.php?f=44) The forum for discussing how to raise your children 'Faith Free'.
.
Title: Re: Hello from Finland
Post by: The Black Jester on June 28, 2010, 05:36:42 PM
Post by: The Black Jester on June 28, 2010, 05:36:42 PM
Welcome, and thanks for the introduction!
Title: Re: Hello from Finland
Post by: Cecilie on June 28, 2010, 08:44:35 PM
Post by: Cecilie on June 28, 2010, 08:44:35 PM
Hey neighbour. Welcome!
Title: Re: Hello from Finland
Post by: Fennia on June 30, 2010, 07:32:46 AM
Post by: Fennia on June 30, 2010, 07:32:46 AM
Thanks for the welcome :D I proof read the above post and didn't notice anything wrong, but after submitting I looked at the post and realised the title read "Hell from Finland" lol
Cecile, neighbour, ever been to Finland?
Cecile, neighbour, ever been to Finland?
Title: Re: Hello from Finland
Post by: _7654_ on June 30, 2010, 07:50:54 AM
Post by: _7654_ on June 30, 2010, 07:50:54 AM
And Tadaa you are an atheist, and you are here. Congratulations and welcome to the forum 
Title: Re: Hello from Finland
Post by: Cecilie on June 30, 2010, 11:29:08 PM
Post by: Cecilie on June 30, 2010, 11:29:08 PM
Quote from: "Fennia"Cecile, neighbour, ever been to Finland?
No, I haven't, but I have been around finnish people before. Fascinating language you have. Ever been to Norway?
And by the way, why does everybody spell my name wrong? You too Tank.
Title: Re: Hello from Finland
Post by: Tank on July 01, 2010, 07:46:24 AM
Post by: Tank on July 01, 2010, 07:46:24 AM
Because there is no second 'i' in th English version 
Title: Re: Hello from Finland
Post by: Fennia on July 01, 2010, 08:20:43 AM
Post by: Fennia on July 01, 2010, 08:20:43 AM
ooops, sorry Cecilie :)
Swedish is our second official language, so everyone has to study a bit of that in school . Our silly-old-teacher used to define the difference between Swedish and Norwegian / Danish, by saying that the latter are like speaking Swedish but with hot potato/porridge in your mouth :crazy: Good grief, the things stuck in our minds in the name of education!
Swedish is our second official language, so everyone has to study a bit of that in school . Our silly-old-teacher used to define the difference between Swedish and Norwegian / Danish, by saying that the latter are like speaking Swedish but with hot potato/porridge in your mouth :crazy: Good grief, the things stuck in our minds in the name of education!
Title: Re: Hello from Finland
Post by: Cecilie on July 01, 2010, 09:36:14 AM
Post by: Cecilie on July 01, 2010, 09:36:14 AM
Quote from: "Tank"Because there is no second 'i' in th English version
Have you ever heard of anybody named Cecile? Cecil perhaps. And Cecilia, yes.
Title: Re: Hello from Finland
Post by: Cecilie on July 01, 2010, 09:38:23 AM
Post by: Cecilie on July 01, 2010, 09:38:23 AM
Quote from: "Fennia"ooops, sorry Cecilie :)
Swedish is our second official language, so everyone has to study a bit of that in school . Our silly-old-teacher used to define the difference between Swedish and Norwegian / Danish, by saying that the latter are like speaking Swedish but with hot potato/porridge in your mouth :crazy: Good grief, the things stuck in our minds in the name of education!
I find it odd that they teach you Swedish instead of Norwegian (maybe it's easier to learn) since the Norwegian language is similar to both Swedish and Danish while Swedish is not similar at all (as I see it) to Danish... If that makes sense.
Title: Re: Hello from Finland
Post by: Fennia on July 01, 2010, 10:56:29 AM
Post by: Fennia on July 01, 2010, 10:56:29 AM
Quote from: "Cecilie"Have you ever heard of anybody named Cecile? Cecil perhaps. And Cecilia, yes.
Then there is also Cecelia, as in Cecelia Ahern, the Irish writer. ;) . See, the way we were taught to think was that Swedish is the simplest to learn, but that basically all the scandinavian languages are the same (apart from Islandic, which is in a league of it's own) and with a bit of extra effort we could master Norwegian and Danish too, if need be. I doubt. strongly.
Title: Re: Hello from Finland
Post by: Cecilie on July 01, 2010, 08:55:25 PM
Post by: Cecilie on July 01, 2010, 08:55:25 PM
Quote from: "Fennia"But I think your viewpoint of Norwegian as "a middle-language" and thus more useful/practical interesting. Just goes to show such issues are not considered when nations are formed :D
Even I have serious trouble understanding Danish (when spoken) so I don't get how a Finnish person who knows Swedish but it not being their first language is going to understand Danish at all. Aaaanyways...
Title: Re: Hello from Finland
Post by: Cecilie on July 02, 2010, 12:04:12 AM
Post by: Cecilie on July 02, 2010, 12:04:12 AM
Quote from: "Cecilie"Have you ever heard of anybody named Cecile?.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C3%A9cile (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C3%A9cile)
Apparently there has been quite a few people names Cecile. Nevermind then.
Title: Re: Hello from Finland
Post by: Martin TK on July 05, 2010, 03:47:33 PM
Post by: Martin TK on July 05, 2010, 03:47:33 PM
Hi,
I used to work for a university in the States, named Finlandia, it is the only college in the US founded by Finnish immigrants to the UP of MIchigan back during the copper minning days. It's a very small, and yes Evangelical Lutheran, college of about 600 students. When I came to the school, they were aware of my atheism, but because I have a long history of turning universities around from poor enrollment to record enrollment, I was hired and payed a pretty nice salary.
As soon as I turned around their enrollment issues, we had record new student, record retention, and record overall enrollment in less than three years, they invented some rather ugly things about me in order to "fire" me. Well, I left needless to say, and am now going to work for a much larger university in New York that has NO affiliation with religion. Anyway, long story shorter, I went to Finland in 2007 and visited a number of your colleges there. The climate and the people are very similar to those living here in the UP of Michigan, so I felt at home. I wish that the Americans who follow the Evangelical Lutheran Church were as laid back as the Finns are, it would make things a lot nicer around here.
Well, peace, and keep up the good fight against the falsehood of religion, and welcome to the forum.
Martin
I used to work for a university in the States, named Finlandia, it is the only college in the US founded by Finnish immigrants to the UP of MIchigan back during the copper minning days. It's a very small, and yes Evangelical Lutheran, college of about 600 students. When I came to the school, they were aware of my atheism, but because I have a long history of turning universities around from poor enrollment to record enrollment, I was hired and payed a pretty nice salary.
As soon as I turned around their enrollment issues, we had record new student, record retention, and record overall enrollment in less than three years, they invented some rather ugly things about me in order to "fire" me. Well, I left needless to say, and am now going to work for a much larger university in New York that has NO affiliation with religion. Anyway, long story shorter, I went to Finland in 2007 and visited a number of your colleges there. The climate and the people are very similar to those living here in the UP of Michigan, so I felt at home. I wish that the Americans who follow the Evangelical Lutheran Church were as laid back as the Finns are, it would make things a lot nicer around here.
Well, peace, and keep up the good fight against the falsehood of religion, and welcome to the forum.
Martin
Title: Re: Hello from Finland
Post by: The Black Jester on July 05, 2010, 03:54:18 PM
Post by: The Black Jester on July 05, 2010, 03:54:18 PM
Quote from: "Martin TK"Well, I left needless to say, and am now going to work for a much larger university in New York that has NO affiliation with religion.
Where in NY?
Title: Re: Hello from Finland
Post by: The Magic Pudding on July 05, 2010, 05:04:30 PM
Post by: The Magic Pudding on July 05, 2010, 05:04:30 PM
Quote from: "Fennia"One day, we’d had a color-in-picture of a Jesus to do, accompanied by a biblical story.Yes, the colour in Jesus, a mighty tool of the evangelist.
I'm glad you weren't ensnared by it.
Title: Re: Hello from Finland
Post by: Davin on July 05, 2010, 11:17:13 PM
Post by: Davin on July 05, 2010, 11:17:13 PM
Welcome to the forums.