The King of Norway presided over his last national Church Council today. As of May, the King will no longer be the leader of the Church of Norway, which is a big step in the direction of secularizing the norwegian government.
While the King up until now has had the figurehead of the church, this is changing.
QuoteDenne våren er det ventet at Stortinget vedtar endringer i Grunnloven som gjør at Kongen ikke lenger er Den norske kirkes øverste leder. Relasjonen mellom stat og kirke endres.
QuoteThis spring it is expected that Parliament vil ratify changes to the Constitution that will make the King no longer the leader of The Church of Norway. The relation between state and church is changing.
http://www.kirken.no/?event=ShowNews&famId=253545
While this will not mean much in the day to day of norwegians, it is an important symbolic act.
Excellent news.
I'm still boggled that Norway has a king. LOL!!
This is good news though, yes? :)
Like! Maybe eventually we will have an atheist king too. :D
I doubt the current crown prince is atheist, although he doesn't seem actively religious, but maybe his kids..? :D
Good job, His Majesty! ;D
His Majesty is not the one making laws, but he probably didn't have too much against this one.
In a constitutional monarchy the parliament writes and votes on the law.
And this is a good thing. For me at least. The only problem I have had with His Majesty is that he doubles as a religious leader.
Yes. Separation of church and king first, separation of church and state later. :D
Quote from: Sweetdeath on April 12, 2012, 10:22:03 PM
I'm still boggled that Norway has a king. LOL!!
This is good news though, yes? :)
You still have a Queen you know.
Quote from: Guardian85 on April 12, 2012, 10:44:35 PM
In a constitutional monarchy the parliament writes and votes on the law.
And this is a good thing. For me at least. The only problem I have had with His Majesty is that he doubles as a religious leader.
So what does the King do? (Honest question. We don't have royalty, so I'm never sure exactly what they do if they don't actually make up the laws. Are they like a perma-President? Also, can a King break the law, or would he get in trouble like anyone else?)
Quote from: Tank on April 12, 2012, 11:10:54 PM
Quote from: Sweetdeath on April 12, 2012, 10:22:03 PM
I'm still boggled that Norway has a king. LOL!!
This is good news though, yes? :)
You still have a Queen you know.
??? I know you know that SD is an American, so I can only conclude that you do not accept that the US is no longer under the rule of Her Majesty. *takes out a glove and slaps Tank across the face with it*
Quote from: The Ali on April 12, 2012, 11:19:40 PM
Quote from: Tank on April 12, 2012, 11:10:54 PM
Quote from: Sweetdeath on April 12, 2012, 10:22:03 PM
I'm still boggled that Norway has a king. LOL!!
This is good news though, yes? :)
You still have a Queen you know.
??? I know you know that SD is an American, so I can only conclude that you do not accept that the US is no longer under the rule of Her Majesty. *takes out a glove and slaps Tank across the face with it*
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg529.imageshack.us%2Fimg529%2F2103%2Fhook1xy7.gif&hash=36828a51fc235663a631cc38da332f707125ee6d)
I knew somebody would bite :D
Quote from: The Ali on April 12, 2012, 11:17:58 PM
So what does the King do? (Honest question. We don't have royalty, so I'm never sure exactly what they do if they don't actually make up the laws. Are they like a perma-President? Also, can a King break the law, or would he get in trouble like anyone else?)
He is the head of state, he has a limited right of veto and a few more or less cosmethic functions. I think he has a limited immunity when it comes to law, but not sure if that really is the case and, if so, how far that immunity goes.
Quote from: Tank on April 12, 2012, 11:21:33 PM
Quote from: The Ali on April 12, 2012, 11:19:40 PM
Quote from: Tank on April 12, 2012, 11:10:54 PM
Quote from: Sweetdeath on April 12, 2012, 10:22:03 PM
I'm still boggled that Norway has a king. LOL!!
This is good news though, yes? :)
You still have a Queen you know.
??? I know you know that SD is an American, so I can only conclude that you do not accept that the US is no longer under the rule of Her Majesty. *takes out a glove and slaps Tank across the face with it*
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg529.imageshack.us%2Fimg529%2F2103%2Fhook1xy7.gif&hash=36828a51fc235663a631cc38da332f707125ee6d)
I knew somebody would bite :D
Hahaha, Tank's just feeling secure because there are so many of us Common-wealthers around. :P
Quote from: DeterminedJuliet on April 12, 2012, 11:50:23 PM
Quote from: Tank on April 12, 2012, 11:21:33 PM
Quote from: The Ali on April 12, 2012, 11:19:40 PM
Quote from: Tank on April 12, 2012, 11:10:54 PM
Quote from: Sweetdeath on April 12, 2012, 10:22:03 PM
I'm still boggled that Norway has a king. LOL!!
This is good news though, yes? :)
You still have a Queen you know.
??? I know you know that SD is an American, so I can only conclude that you do not accept that the US is no longer under the rule of Her Majesty. *takes out a glove and slaps Tank across the face with it*
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg529.imageshack.us%2Fimg529%2F2103%2Fhook1xy7.gif&hash=36828a51fc235663a631cc38da332f707125ee6d)
I knew somebody would bite :D
Hahaha, Tank's just feeling secure because there are so many of us Common-wealthers around. :P
Buhahaha.
Exactly as planned.
Quote from: The Ali on April 12, 2012, 11:17:58 PM
Quote from: Guardian85 on April 12, 2012, 10:44:35 PM
In a constitutional monarchy the parliament writes and votes on the law.
And this is a good thing. For me at least. The only problem I have had with His Majesty is that he doubles as a religious leader.
So what does the King do? (Honest question. We don't have royalty, so I'm never sure exactly what they do if they don't actually make up the laws. Are they like a perma-President? Also, can a King break the law, or would he get in trouble like anyone else?)
The King is the leader of the nation, but only in name the leader of the government.While the cabinet ministers convene at the castle for the Council of State, his powers are largely ceremonial. The real power rests i the hands of the Prime Minister.
QuoteThe King heads the government meetings at Oslo Palace every Friday (Council of State). He also has weekly meetings with the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister. He receives foreign envoys, and opens parliament every September. According to the Norwegian constitution, he appoints his government. Since 1884 parliamentarism has been in place in Norway, so the government has to have support from Parliament. The King appoints the leader of the parliamentary block with majority as prime minister. When the parliamentary situation is unclear the king relies on the advice of the president of Parliament and the sitting prime minister. He travels extensively throughout Norway and makes official state visits to other countries.
-Wikipedia-
In addition to this, the King is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces (one of only two four-star generals, the other being the Chief of Defence), for a brief period still is the leader of the Church of Norway, and holds a host of other honorary titles and patronages.
And to top it all off, he was an Olympic sailor.
As of today it is official. Norway no longer has an official state church. (https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fserve.mysmiley.net%2Fhappy%2Fhappy0064.gif&hash=5a20bf56d2ab626e7e9deb1cc05ae02e9adadb01) (http://www.footballerpictures.co.uk) The Church of Norway is henceforth to be treated as any other faith group.
http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/artikkel.php?artid=10061921
As expected the demonstration against the changes to the constitution brought out the entirety of Norways hardcore christian fundamentalists. All 50 of them... (https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fserve.mysmiley.net%2Findifferent%2Findifferent0009.gif&hash=d280dc03fae977f4a3f8e955a9dd57f92603bf30) (http://www.celebrityfashionarchive.com)
...Obviously the same asshole as my open letter in the terrorism thread was directed at. Well, who else could it be? ???
Although I wish they took this separation all the way, it's a good first step.
Quote from: Guardian85 on May 21, 2012, 05:47:40 PM
As of today it is official. Norway no longer has an official state church. (https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fserve.mysmiley.net%2Fhappy%2Fhappy0064.gif&hash=5a20bf56d2ab626e7e9deb1cc05ae02e9adadb01) (http://www.footballerpictures.co.uk) The Church of Norway is henceforth to be treated as any other faith group.
http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/artikkel.php?artid=10061921
As expected the demonstration against the changes to the constitution brought out the entirety of Norways hardcore christian fundamentalists. All 50 of them... (https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fserve.mysmiley.net%2Findifferent%2Findifferent0009.gif&hash=d280dc03fae977f4a3f8e955a9dd57f92603bf30) (http://www.celebrityfashionarchive.com)
Packing my bags, and moving there now. Wanna grab a bite to eat? :)
Quote from: Sweetdeath on May 23, 2012, 05:56:50 AM
Quote from: Guardian85 on May 21, 2012, 05:47:40 PM
As of today it is official. Norway no longer has an official state church. (https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fserve.mysmiley.net%2Fhappy%2Fhappy0064.gif&hash=5a20bf56d2ab626e7e9deb1cc05ae02e9adadb01) (http://www.footballerpictures.co.uk) The Church of Norway is henceforth to be treated as any other faith group.
http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/artikkel.php?artid=10061921
As expected the demonstration against the changes to the constitution brought out the entirety of Norways hardcore christian fundamentalists. All 50 of them... (https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fserve.mysmiley.net%2Findifferent%2Findifferent0009.gif&hash=d280dc03fae977f4a3f8e955a9dd57f92603bf30) (http://www.celebrityfashionarchive.com)
Packing my bags, and moving there now. Wanna grab a bite to eat? :)
Love to. Know this great little cafe where I am friendly with the head waitress.