THE DANISH EXPERIENCE, FROM THE LAST THIRD OF THE 19TH CENTURY TO THE PRESENT: CULTURAL STRUGGLE AND CONSERVATISM

Abstract

In the last three decades of the 19^th Century, Denmark experienced a major cultural struggle, a spiritual fight, which has profoundly influenced the way of thinking and the situation for the Christian Faith until the present. In this struggle, Christianity and Conservatism expressed themselves on one side, Atheism, Materialism and Individualism on the other. One of the signs was an intense debate about the relationship between faith and knowledge. In this case the Protestant Bishop Martensen presented a very interesting answer to Atheist claims. Another was the demand, from the Radical side, for schools without confession, that is without any connection with Christianity at all. Finally, there was the question, if upbringing and education should take place in absolute freedom. In the old Orthodox countries, young people as well as parents, schools and the Church, will face many of the same problems and questions. All of this asks the question, how can the Church handle a general cultural conflict?