Christianity




Friland is the only country in Europe that has never been completely converted to Christianity: despite numerous attempts from the outside the country has successfully managed for centuries to resist the forced conversion to which most other countries fell victim. The stubborn Frisians, the proud Saxons and even the mighty Vikings eventually had to accept their baptising, but the Frilanders remained loyal to their gods. Despite this, about 10% of the Frilanders is Christian these days, of which 6% are Protestant, 4% Catholic and an additional small number that belongs to other Christian movements such as Arianism and the Jehova's witnesses.

Protestantism
The Frilandic Protestants are united in the "Edstifta Kirik Friland" (Reformed Church of Friland), their ideas are mainly based on those of Calvin and Luther. The sober character of Protestantism and the possibility to get rid of the in Friland not so popular papal authority, caused the Frilandic Christians to almost collectively convert to this movement in the 16th century.

Catholicism
The majority of the Catholic Frilanders lives in Walamark, which through the centuries underwent most of the Hiverian conversion attempts. Especially the Irish minority in the south consists of loyal supporters of Catholicism.

Arianism
Arianism, which probably already came to Friland during the Migration Period, is the oldest Christian community in the country. Although most Frilandic Arians converted to Protestantism in the 16th century, here and there there are still representatives of this movement that disappeared elsewhere.

Jehova's witnesses
Because of the active conversion prohibition it is in Friland not allowed to ring doorbells in an attempt to convert people. The Jehova's witnesses therefore have come up with an alternative and in many cities they have opened little churches where passers-by can get free coffee. Because these people voluntarily enter the house of prayer, it is allowed by Frilandic law to inform them about the religion that is practiced there.

Paternoster in Frilandic
Unsa Fader en ța Hemilan,
Țin Nam werțiț gahailagiț,
Țin Rik skul kuman,
Țin Wil gaskehiț,
swa en ța Hemil, swa up erț.
Geb uns daglik braud
and fargeb uns unsa skuldan
swa wiz fargeban unsa skulan.    
Breng uns ni en farleidung
and leus uns fan ubil.
Ja fan Țu es ța Rik,
ța Maht en ța Wulț
in ai, amen.
Our Father in the Heavens,
Your Name is hallowed,
Your Kingdom shall come,
Your Will shall be done,
as in Heaven, as on earth.
Give us daily bread
and forgive us our sins
as we forgive our sinners.
Bring us not in temptation
and deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the Kingdom,
the Power and the Glory
in eternity, amen.