Freedom of Religion in Iceland 1874–1915

Policy Making and Legal Framework

Abstract

The article discusses the development of religious freedom in Iceland in the period 1874–1915.
In 1874 the king of Denmark granted Icelanders a constitution which covered their internal affairs. Among the rights it granted was the freedom to leave the Evangelical-Lutheran faith and form religious communities and congregations associated with other Christian denominations. However, nothing in the constitution indicated that it was permitted to stand outside all religious organizations and thereby reject religion, or embrace atheism.
In 1886 the Parliament (Alþingi) passed a law on the status of those who had left the national church. The law guaranteed the rights of those who had taken advantage of the rights that the constitution granted and had left the Evangelical-Lutheran church.
Freedom to stand outside all religious associations was granted (indirectly) by an amendment to the constitution in 1915. This marked the end of the first period of development of religious freedom in Iceland.