Religious freedom in court in Norway

That is the concern from the Norwegian lawyer Anders Ryssdal. He represents the Jehovah’s Witnesses in a court case regarding state grants for this religious group and certain Christian schools. In the talk with CNE’s podcast host Evert van Vlastuin, Anders Ryssdal explains the tensions between faith, state and society in one of Europe’s most secular countries. Anders has dealt with more cases regarding religious freedom, and he thinks there is an “indirect threat” to this liberty. A very secular state and society can give you a “stigma”, he says. This stigma is there already for Jews, Ryssdal says. “They need police protection for the synagogue. There could be a personal risk to be a Jew.” This direct risk is not there for Christians. “If the government refuses funds to particular Christian societies, these societies are undermined and could suffer”, the lawyer says. This could be a path to marginalisation. Ryssdal stresses that religious freedom is not only a liberty to believe, but also a liberty to assemble with others. In this week’s CNE podcast, Ryssdal explains the Norwegian system of state money for all (recognised) religious groups. But the Jehovah’s Witnesses lost all grants because of their exclusion policy if members live a sinful life. This is especially sensitive if it concerns young members between 15 and 18 years, who are still minors legally. Although Ryssdal won the first round, the case will reach Norway’s Supreme Court in February 2026 — and could redefine religious freedom in the country.  The conversation doesn’t end with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Christian schools in Norway tied to the conservative church community Menigheten Samfundet face scrutiny from the Ministry of Education. Their “crime”? Not teaching about homosexuality according to state expectations. Ryssdal sees government interference as overreach: “It’s possible to teach both science and religious belief. The question is, are we allowed to stress the religious dimension?” State money was originally only there for the state church. However, since the Church of Norway is no longer an official state church, the free churches also receive government funding to create legal equality. This means that pastors in independent churches and among Jehovah’s Witnesses also receive funding from Oslo. Ryssdal admits that the government money makes the issue of religious freedom more complicated. “As soon as you get money from the state, the state gets a grip on you,” Ryssdal observes. For more, visit https://CNE.news or subscribe to our newsletters at https://cne.news/subscribe