Debate over parliamentary chaplain shows Denmark still thinks like Christians

A debate is unfolding in Denmark concerning the role of Christianity in the nation's governance, intensified by discussions around appointing a permanent chaplain to the parliament.

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The very idea of 'religion' as a demarcated part of life, which one can have more or less of, and which is separated from the secular, is a Christian invention.

Aggressive secularists and atheists have voiced concerns, suggesting that the appointment could steer Denmark toward a theocracy. However, the author, Nikolaj Bøgh, argues that this perspective misunderstands the nature of religion and its historical development.

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Unlike Christianity, the other major world religions do not have a concept of the secular, including Islam, Hinduism, or Judaism.

Bøgh posits that the idea of 'religion' as a distinct, separable aspect of life, separate from the secular, is a uniquely Christian concept. He contrasts this with other major world religions like Islam, Hinduism, and Judaism, which he claims do not possess a similar concept of the secular.

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Hardly many would have imagined a few months ago that the big summer debate of 2026 would be about Christianity's role in the country's governance.

The ongoing discussion highlights a tension within Danish society regarding the integration of religious and secular spheres, with the author advocating for a nuanced understanding rooted in historical and theological distinctions.

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Or that aggressive secularists and atheists could seriously claim that Denmark risks developing into a kind of theocracy if there is a permanent chaplain in parliament.