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Sweden’s Big Government ‘Utopia’: Not so tolerant after all

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Here’s a quick question. What four adjectives would you associate with the country of Sweden?

If you’re a secular humanist, you’ll probably answer: tolerant, equitable, well-educated and prosperous – or something along those lines.

Indeed, atheists have long praised Sweden as a secular society, whose example other nations would do well to follow (see here, here and here). I suppose they like the thought of living in a society where Intelligent Design theory cannot be discussed in biology classes, and where even faith-based schools are not allowed to teach that religious doctrines are objectively true, as that would be tantamount to “proselytizing.”

Well, as they say, there are two sides to every story. The flip side of Sweden’s much-vaunted secular model is that it is in fact a highly intolerant society, in which big government determines children’s moral values. And woe betide the parents who think it’s their job to instil values in their children, and not the government’s.

This article will show you what a secular utopia is really like. Read what happened to one religious family that decided to defy the State and home-school their child.

Click here to learn the shocking truth about the persecution of religion in Sweden, and here to learn more about FreeSweden.net, which describes itself as:

“a party-politically and religiously neutral, non-profit, pro-(authentic) liberal democracy and libertarian/freedom website dedicated to the cause of homeschooling and the persecuted homeschooling community of both those left in Sweden, those refugees who have fled Swedish government totalitarianism for a life abroad as social and political exiles, and those homeschooling children (such as Domenic Johansson) that have been abducted by the state and their imprisoned or otherwise devastated parents.”

Are secular humanism and freedom of thought ultimately incompatible? What do you think?

Comments
There is a fundamental problem here, and it concerns the way people perceive families. Those of us who consider family life to be designed to be the best way for children to be nurtured and developed must necessarily take a pro-family stance. Some evolutionists will also do this, as they think the family structure is selected. However, away from design considerations, there are no solid reasons for defending the family. It can be defended pragmatically - bu is this a solid reason? Most social workers have to deal with dysfunctional families - so domestic violence, brainwashing and other unhealthy influences on children are everyday occurrences for them. Unfortunately, when caring parents get their lives snarled up with social workers, they can often suffer because social workers have been given a lot of power by the state. But ultimately, we have a major problem with too many children suffering. Some problem families need help sorting themselves out - rather than having children removed from their parents care. There are too many children in care - and the state does not have the capability of giving them a good upbringing.David Tyler
May 18, 2011
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Well, if nothing else, I praise Sweden for being consistent with its ideals. When one is completely consistent then the worthiness of those ideals will be shown, or at least one's true ideals will be shown.Brent
May 17, 2011
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Four adjectives I associate with Sweden would be: Small Ethnically Homogenious Socialist And it's not an adjective but the only other thing I can think of is easily confused for Norway.UrbanMysticDee
May 17, 2011
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Mung Sweden is a nice place to visit - I was there myself for about three days back in 1995. But for me the real test of a country is: would you want to raise a child there?vjtorley
May 17, 2011
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Sweden is a nice place to visit.Mung
May 17, 2011
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I would recommend this book. It has a section on Sweden's socialist system. http://www.amazon.com/Politically-Incorrect-Guide-Socialism-Guides/dp/1596986492/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1305579648&sr=8-1tragic mishap
May 16, 2011
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