Transcript
[TEXT ON SCREEN: We wanted to find out what Finnish people think about religious tolerance. How do you think different religions are treated in Finland?]
SPEAKER 1:
Well I think well Finland, first of all, is very homogeneous country when it comes to religion. It's very dominantly, predominantly Christian, and becoming more secular and secular all the time. So I think that is the main feature in Finnish attitudes towards religion. A lot of things are not that religious. And then I don't think, it's not indifferent, but the idea of religion, it's not too fundamental to any direction. But when it comes to, and obviously, the we have the state church, so Christianity, obviously, is accepted as part of our history and tradition and culture. But when it comes to other religions, I think Finns are fairly tolerant. There are always these opinions that attach certain characteristics to one specific religion. There is Islamophobia and that sort of attitudes towards, for example, Islam. But I think, overall, the overall secular attitude that most Finns have, I think, it's a fairly, it gives a fairly balanced and fairly tolerant approach to different religions.
SPEAKER 2:
I think mostly Finnish people are open about religions. And they think it's a positive thing. But some older people might have something against religion. But mostly, I think it's only positive vibes in Finland.
[TEXT ON SCREEN: Do you believe that religion, peace and tolerance fit together?]
SPEAKER 3:
They can be together if they aren't extreme, extreme point of view, no extreme point of views. And there is the extreme point of view in every religion, like extreme Christianity, or ISIS, or something like that. So it would be best if all can fit together if they want to.
SPEAKER 4:
As for this question, yes. My resounding yes is my answer. In any case, when it comes to world views, and religions, and different opinions, my approach and my belief is that people should always start from the things that they have in common. Start from common ground. Find that common ground and this way, you can start seeing yourself in other people, and other people will start to see you in themselves.
And that is true, it is true that people also have opinions that differ and divide them. And of course, that is something that, in any discussion will, unavoidably, take that path of discussion. But surely, even the things that divide us and that we don't have in common, we can still behave like adults, and constructively discuss those things, and find answers that might not be perfect, but might leave all of us content, if not happy. Thank you.
[TEXT ON SCREEN: Thank you for all participants and thank you for watching.]