Finnish state body calls songs about God in schools “discrimination”
Authorities in the city of Espoo have been ordered to pay compensation to a pupil after a complaint over Christian songs performed at school celebrations.
On May 31, Finland’s Non-Discrimination and Equality Tribunal ruled that a pupil’s participation in events where Christian songs were performed amounted to discrimination and ordered the city of Espoo to pay compensation, European Conservative reports.
According to the outlet, the case was prompted by a complaint from the pupil’s parents, who said they had not been notified in advance about the religious content of school events and had not been given the option to exempt their child from attending them.
Under the tribunal’s decision, the city of Espoo was fined €10,000. The authorities were also ordered to pay the pupil an additional €2,500 in compensation. The ruling states that the pupil had been subjected to discrimination over several years because of Christian content in songs performed at Christmas and spring school celebrations.
Among the works cited in the complaint were traditional songs and hymns containing references to God. In particular, objections were raised to lines saying that God rewards those who help the poor, as well as words thanking God for the beauty of nature.
Despite the tribunal’s decision, Espoo school officials informed parents that the traditional spring hymn, sung at Finnish school ceremonies for generations, would be performed again this year. The publication notes that neither the tribunal nor Finnish media specified which religious beliefs of the pupil had allegedly been affected by the performance of Christian songs.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that Greece’s Ministry of Education explained its refusal to remove icons from courtrooms.
