medborger_i_danmark_engelsk.pdf - Ny i Danmark

Religious worship in Denmark103Right of free worshipUnder the Danish Constitution “thecitizens shall be entitled to formcongregations for the worship of God in amanner consistent with their convictions”.All Danish citizens are therefore freeto worship according to their chosenreligion. As a result, there are manydifferent religious persuasions – and alsomany atheists.CULTURE AND LEISURE TIMENational ChurchmembershipThe Danish National ChurchUnder the Danish Constitution, the DanishNational Church* is EvangelicalLutheran*. The Church carries out anumber of tasks for society at large,including the registration of births, namesand deaths.The majority of the Danish population –approximately 85% – are members of theDanish National Church. Most of thembecame members when they were baptisedin this Church.Any newcomer to Denmark may jointhe Danish National Church in one of thefollowing ways:Persons who inform the authorities onentering Denmark that they belong to anEvangelical Lutheran community otherthan the Danish National Church will beinformed on being entered into the DanishNational Register that they will beregistered as members of the DanishNational Church (for further informationabout registration, see also the section“Help and advice provided by themunicipal authority” on page 31).If you have been baptised, but not inan Evangelical Lutheran community, youmay become a member of the DanishNational Church by contacting aclergyman of the parish in which you willbe residing.If you have not been baptised, you mayjoin the Danish National Church bybecoming baptised.Any member of the Danish NationalChurch who is subject to unlimited taxliability in Denmark must also pay churchtax.The church taxes go towards the costof running the churches and churchyards.The churches are used for church servicesand ceremonies such as baptisms,weddings and funerals.If you no longer wish to be a member ofthe Danish National Church, you may