Sweden: the model secular society?

When:
18th May 2017 @ 8:00 pm
2017-05-18T20:00:00+01:00
2017-05-18T20:15:00+01:00
Where:
Davenport Hotel
Dublin 2
Cost:
Free
Contact:
Sweden: the model secular society? @ Davenport Hotel

Speakers: Mattias Nordstrom, theologian and pastor
& Ruth Nordstrom, CEO and lawyer

 

It is fair to say that Sweden receives favourable coverage in the Irish media, as it does in the Western media generally. It is renowned for its generous and egalitarian social policy. The influence of religion upon Swedish society is very small these days, including that of the formerly dominant Lutheran Church. All in all, Sweden is seen and presented as a sort of ‘secular paradise’ which Ireland would do well to emulate.

Our next speakers are husband and wife, Mattias and Ruth Nordstrom (pictured). Mattias is a theologian and pastor in Uppsala in Sweden. Ruth is CEO and Senior Legal Counsel at Scandinavian Human Rights Lawyers.

Ruth is currently legally representing two Swedish midwives who have been refused employment in Swedish hospitals because they will not perform abortions. Ruth will speak about this case, that will soon be brought to the European Court of Human Rights, and about other ongoing cases and issues regarding human rights, human trafficking, migration & asylum law and religious freedom.

Mattias will speak about what it is like to live in a country that has become so secular and in which religion has been pushed to the margins of life, the state of marriage and family life, and how Christians in Sweden are responding to the challenges they face.

The Swedish example is very relevant to Ireland because it is so often held up as the model country. We hope you will be able to attend what promises to be an enlightening and informative talk.

If you would like to attend, please email info@ionainstitute.ie or phone 01 661 9204.