Denmark people receptive to Hinduism

NEVADA - “Danes have been receptive to Hinduism”, according to Danish Pluralism Project study launched by Faculty of Theology of University of Aarhus in Denmark.

“One example is yoga, which is a complex system of exercises designated as a disciplinary process of the ego, and in a wider perspective the reunion of the self and the universe. Especially, the physical exercises of yoga have won approval among the Danes…”, it adds.

This Project was to document the growing religious diversity through mapping, analyzing, and interpreting the religious pluralism in Denmark. Faculty of Theology Dean is Carsten Riis, while Pluralism Project Director is Viggo Mortensen.

Welcoming the interest in Hinduism and yoga in Denmark, prominent Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, stressed the need for separation of church and state in Denmark, where currently Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark (Folkekirken) is a state church officially supported by government and headed by the Queen.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, argued that institution of state church breached the equality of religions and the fundamentals of a secular nation. Moreover, separation might bring more independence in the decision-making process of the Church also, without any day-to-day government/legislative interference.

Rajan Zed further said that Denmark, a culturally diverse society, besides various Christian denominations, had now a considerable population of Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, non-believers, etc. There were reportedly about 12, 000 Hindus and five Hindu temples in Denmark.

Denmark is rated among nations with best quality of life, highest per capita income, and low unemployment. Its literacy rate is 100 percent and its hydrocarbon-rich economy is reported to be booming. (ANI)