Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country somewhere in Europe, marked mostly by wiki-wars and gloom, happiness.[1][2][3][4][5] While Denmark (like any piece of landmass covered with a flag) has many problems, there are many happy Danes. Their Prime Minister is notably hawt.[6]
It also has several thousand names in English, most notably, Daneland, Danmarkish, Dansklande, Dane-Marque, and Dennishland.
Denmark's supporters have provided evidence that despite not being subject to laissez-faire economic policies it is the happiest country in the world,[7] and also the best country in which to do business.[8] Denmark joined the European Union, then the European Economic Community, in 1973.
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Religion
Denmark has a state church, the Lutheran Church of Denmark, and most Danes are still nominally Lutheran because Danish law requires them to opt out rather than opt in. However, the country's laws and population are largely secular, and less then 10% of the population attends any church, temple, or mosque regularly. A 2005 Eurostat poll suggests that 19% of Danes self-identify as atheists.[9]
Islam is the second largest religion (though it is only 2% of the country) due to heavy Islamic migration in the 1990s. This has caused a host of troubles for the secular, yet mono-cultural nation. Danes are perhaps becoming more aware of their Western cultural heritage (including political freedom, freedom of expression, etc.), though as in all nations, there are nationalist movements that push the value of Danish culture specifically.
Denmark and Sweden demonstrate that religion is likely not critical to a healthy society.[10][11]
Cartoons
There were problems when a small, local Danish newspaper considered, solicited and printed cartoons that Muslims found offensive. However, they did not immediately cause any trouble. A number of months later some Muslim Imams, looking to stir up trouble, took the 8 cartoons, added what would be the four most offensive images and distributed the cartoons in Muslim countries. These cartoons then led to death threats and even attempted murder. 100 people worldwide are known to have died due to the trouble.[12]
See also
Fodnotes
- ↑ Denmark 'happiest place on earth'
- ↑ Happiness is... being Danish and enjoying life
- ↑ What can the Danes teach us about happiness?
- ↑ Denmark: The Happiest Place on Earth, Despite High Taxes, Danes Rank Themselves as Happy and Content
- ↑ Rating Countries for the Happiness Factor
- ↑ http://www.flickr.com/photos/worldeconomicforum/6766152991/
- ↑ Denmark - happiest country! And that's after Kierkegaard!
- ↑ Denmark - best country in which to do business!
- ↑ http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_225_report_en.pdf
- ↑ Phil Zuckerman: Society Without God
- ↑ Society without God
- ↑ Cartoon Body Count at the Internet Archive