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The State Church is interesting - part of its existence is simply due to the fact that there's a massive amount of cultural heritage that can't just be handed over to the local congregations. Bake sales just can't cover the upkeep of a 13th-century cathedral.
But Danes only tend to go to church for baptisms, confirmations, weddings and funerals - and perhaps Christmas. And the funny thing about a state church is that it's the most toothless institution imaginable. Civil servants don't want to make waves and spew fiery theology - they want to run their careers, perhaps advance within the church, and retire with a handshake from the Queen and a "Knight of Dannebrog" medal to put on the mantelpiece.
A few years ago, there was a major to-do about a vicar who'd declared that he didn't actually believe in God. The bishop wanted him fired (for obvious reasons) - the congregation, such as it was, liked him and wanted to keep him around. (They won.) The church is like the monarchy - always been there, comforting to have around, makes for a nice sense of ritual and succession and history, a bit of pageantry to mark special occasions. But it's nothing to really influence one's life.
Spent a few days in Copenhagen and Arhus and I had the greatest experience. I had been doing some research about Denmark especially given the fact that they are overall the happiest people in the world and the most satisfied with their health care system.
Everytime I travel to a different country, I just get this feeling that the US is a very overrated country, it also makes me realize how many lies Americans are told on a daily basis, this whole, "We are the greatest, no one compares to us" is truly a bunch of BS. Beautiful country, very safe, no guns, no homeless people, a very happy bunch of people overall
High taxes, and some evil socialism does not seem to be all that bad after all.
My mother's sister died as a result of the Danish health care system. My mother and her sister born in Danmark. My aunt, IOW. She was having abdominal pains. She was scheduled to have her gall bladder removed in 6 months. She died of liver cancer in excruciating pain.
Nice story, too bad it is not true and medical errors happen in America all the time.
Why do you think malpractice insurance is so expensive?
So you call me a liar? It is not a nice story. Her name was Birthe Elm. She survived TB and the Nazi occupation only to die of cancer because of lazy doctors. Lived at 1 Vingekrogen in Herlev with my late uncle Sander Elm who survived her by another 15 years. My cousins Pia and Helle still live in Danmark. Notice I use the correct Danish way in spelling the country.
I don't make this stuff up. But you sit there on your high and mighty throne and proclaim offhandedly she didn't exist.
Be interesting to see if this post gets deleted.
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