de Waal Malefijt, Matina Eloïse
(2023)
Secularisation of Rite of Passage Rituals A Study on How Danish Teens Created Inclusion by Hosting a Nonfirmation.
Master thesis, Master Religion Conflict and Globalisation.
Abstract
Rite of passage rituals have always been significant as they mark our transition from one stage to the
next. Despite the low level of religiosity in Denmark, there is a strong emphasis on confirmation a
Christian rite of passage signifying the transition from childhood to adolescence. Since a few decades
it is possible to host a nonfirmation, the non religious alternative to the confirmation. As the
confirmation is an essential aspect of Danish upbringing, this investigation’s aim was to determine to
what extent nonfirmands’ decisions were influenced by fear of exclusion of Danish society.
Through survey questions and interviews, two main themes were elucidated when examining why
some Danish teens choose to host a nonfirmation as opposed to opting out of the celebration. Firstly,
hosting a nonfirmation allowed the teens to (re) affirm their non religious identity as they publicly
rejected the prevalent cultural Christianity in Denmark. Secondly, inclusion was created by hosting a
nonfirmation. Opting out o f a celebration or hosting an alternative confirmation such as a humanist
confirmation would lead to more marginalisation than a nonfirmation, which is seen as a valid
substitute.
Finally, the nonfirmands questioned the authenticity of their peers’ choice
to get confirmed despite
not believing. I have argued that the aspects that seemingly take away from the authenticity, namely
expensive gifts and an elaborate celebration, are intricate parts of the confirmation ritual if seen
through the framework of Dan ish civil religion. By hosting a similar celebration, the nonfirmands are
able to partake in Danish civil religion, despite opposing themselves to the Christian majority.
| Type: |
Thesis
(Master)
|
| Supervisors (RUG): |
|
| Degree programme: |
Master Religion Conflict and Globalisation |
| Academic year: |
2022-2023 |
| Date of delivery: |
30 Aug 2024 13:37 |
| Last modified: |
30 Aug 2024 13:37 |
| URI: |
https://rcs.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/801 |
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