Religion on the Political Agenda

A battle for truth: Islam-related counterpublic discourse on Scandinavian news media Facebook pages

“…Previous studies have found that the Danish press tends to be harsher and more negative in its coverage than the Norwegian and, especially, the Swedish press (Hovden and Mjelde, 2019; Lundby et al, 2018). Researchers have also observed these differences in social media discourse (Andersen, 2019; Moe, 2019a, 2019b) and political and public discourses (Brochmann and Hagelund, 2012; Lövheim et al, 2018b). In light of previous research, the results presented in this study may indicate that a fundamental driver of online counterpublics’ popularity is that dominant public spheres do not satisfactorily represent their interests and needs.…”

“…The Scandinavian countries share central traits, such as long histories of cultural homogeneity and Lutheran state churches, as well as similar civil society development, welfare systems and media systems (Esping- Andersen, 1990;Gripsrud, 2019;Syvertsen et al, 2014), yet scholars who have carried out comparative analyses of Scandinavian media discourse on Islam and non-Western immigration have found that the Danish press tends be harsher and more negative in its coverage than the Norwegian and, especially, the Swedish press (Hovden and Mjelde, 2019;Lundby et al, 2018). Researchers have also observed these differences in social media discourse (Andersen, 2019;Moe, 2019aMoe, , 2019b and political and public discourses (Brochmann and Hagelund, 2012;Lövheim et al, 2018b). Brochmann (2018), however, described a convergence during the last few years, with Sweden becoming more similar to its neighbours, as Islam-and immigrant-critical viewpoints and actors, previously considered deviant, have become more legitimate.…”

Class, religion and socialist parties: The unpredicted effect of (a)religious voting

“…Scandinavian Protestant countries share similar traits, from strict alliance between Church and state to a tradition of non-intervention in the public sphere by the Church (the ‘distant church’), to a highly secularized society (Lindberg 2013; Madeley 2000). This does not mean absence of disagreement on ethical–moral issues (Lövheim et al, 2018): the moderate-conservative parties opposed or resisted liberalizing policies of the secular parties, especially the socialist ones (Albæk et al, 2012; Knill et al, 2015), but the emphasis is not comparable to Catholic countries.…”

Intersections between Biopolitics and Religion: Cases of Politicisation of Religion in Finland and Norway

“…Several previous studies on politicisation of religion in Nordic countries have focused on immigration and religious diversity and the role of right-wing populist parties (Christensen 2010;Jacobsen 2009;Lindberg 2014a;Lövheim et al 2018). Lövheim et al (2018, 139-40) argue that growing religious diversity since the 1980s has contributed to a more complex role of religion in Nordic politics and that religious values, symbols and beliefs can become detached from particular actors and traditions and be used as cultural resources.…”

“…The comparative approach should also contribute to empirical analyses of religion's role in political discourse in Nordic countries (e.g. Christensen 2010;Hjelm 2014;Jacobsen 2009;Kanckos 2012;Lindberg 2014a;Lövheim et al 2018).…”