Data appraisal
To prevent identification of participants, the variable denoting the municipality of residence as well as all open-ended responses to the "Other, please specify" response option were removed from the data.
Related publications
Karhu, Juha (2020). Rukoilun merkityksestä juutalaisuudessa: Pro gradu -kyselytutkimus Suomen juutalaisten rukoilemiseen liittyvistä käsityksistä. Helsinki: Helsingin yliopisto. Lähi-idän tutkimuk-sen pro gradu -tutkielma. http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:hulib-202012155200.
Ketola, Kimmo, Hytönen, Maarit, Salminen, Veli-Matti, Sohlberg, Jussi & Sorsa, Leena (2016) Osallistuva luterilaisuus. Suomen evankelis-luterilainen kirkko vuosina 2012-2015: Tutkimus kirkosta ja suomalaisista. Kirkon tutkimuskeskuksen julkaisuja 125. Tampere: Kirkon tutkimuskeskus.
Ketola, Kimmo; Hytönen, Maarit; Salminen, Veli-Matti; Sohlberg, Jussi & Sorsa, Leena 2017:
Luthersk delaktighet: Evangelisk-lutherska kyrkan i Finland 2012-2015: En undersökning om kyrkan och finländarna. (Kyrkans forskningscentrals publikationer, 126) Tammerfors: Kyrkans forskningscentral.
Ketola, Kimmo & Salminen, Veli-Matti & Sohlberg, Jussi & Sorsa, Leena (2018). Socially Engaged Lutheranism. Finnish attitudes to faith and the Church in the light of surveys and statistics. The Church Research Institute, Publications 64.
Salminen, Veli-Matti (2020): Missä mennään, diakoninen kirkko? Nelivuotiskertomuksen
havain-toja. Diakonian tutkimus 2/2020: 34-39. https://evl.fi/documents/1327140/45652999/Minne+menet%2C+diakoninen+kirkko+%28V-M+Salminen+DT+2_2020%29.pdf/3177e2f1-4dc0-c506-8a00-cd59dcf05017?t=1608543389147
Salomäki, Hanna & Hytönen, Maarit & Ketola, Kimmo & Salminen, Veli-Matti & Sohlberg, Jussi (2020): Uskonto arjessa ja juhlassa: Suomen evankelis-luterilainen kirkko vuosina 2016-2019 [verkkodokumentti]. Tampere: Kirkon tutkimuskeskus. Kirkon tutkimuskeskuksen julka-isuja 134. https://julkaisut.evl.fi/catalog/Tutkimukset%20ja%20julkaisut/r/4238 [viitattu 9.2.2021]
Salomäki, Hanna & Hytönen, Maarit & Ketola, Kimmo & Salminen, Veli-Matti & Sohlberg, Jussi (toim.) (2020): Kirkon kehittämistyön tukena: Suomen evankelis-luterilainen kirkko vu-osina 2016-2019. Kirkon tutkimuskeskuksen verkkojulkaisuja 64. Tampere: Kirkon tutkimuskeskus.
1.4. Use of data
Location of the data collection
Finnish Social Science Data Archive
Weighting
The data include a weight variable bv1 (paino), which weights the data to be representative of the general population in terms of gender, age, region of residence and religious affiliation.
Restrictions
The dataset is (B) available for research, teaching and study.
Chapter 2 Variables
[FSD_NO] FSD study number
Question
FSD study number
Descriptive statistics
statistic value
number of valid cases 4194
minimum 3211.00
maximum 3211.00
mean 3211.00
standard deviation 0.00
[FSD_VR] FSD edition number
Question
FSD edition number
Descriptive statistics
statistic value
number of valid cases 4194
[FSD_ID] FSD case id
Question FSD case id
Descriptive statistics
statistic value
number of valid cases 4194
minimum 1.00
maximum 4194.00
mean 2097.50
standard deviation 1210.85
[K1] Do you belong to a church or other religious community?
Question
Do you belong to a church or other religious community?
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland 1 2540 60.6 60.6
Finnish Orthodox Church 2 47 1.1 1.1
Don’t belong to any 3 1479 35.3 35.3
Can’t say 4 6 0.1 0.1
Other 5 122 2.9 2.9
4194 100.0 100.0
[K2_1] How important do you consider the following reasons to be for be-longing to the church? The faith taught by the church is important to me
Question
How important do you consider the following reasons to be for belonging to the church? The faith taught by the church is important to me
K2_3
label value n % v. %
Very important 1 466 11.1 18.3
Fairly important 2 939 22.4 37.0
Not very important 3 725 17.3 28.5
Not at all important 4 336 8.0 13.2
Can’t say 5 74 1.8 2.9
System missing (SYSMIS) . 1654 39.4 –
4194 100.0 100.0
[K2_2] How important do you consider the following reasons to be for be-longing to the church? Possibility to attend worship services
Question
How important do you consider the following reasons to be for belonging to the church? Possi-bility to attend worship services
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
Very important 1 307 7.3 12.1
Fairly important 2 799 19.1 31.5
Not very important 3 908 21.6 35.7
Not at all important 4 485 11.6 19.1
Can’t say 5 41 1.0 1.6
System missing (SYSMIS) . 1654 39.4 –
4194 100.0 100.0
[K2_3] How important do you consider the following reasons to be for be-longing to the church? Possibility to have a Christian baptism for my chil-dren
Question
How important do you consider the following reasons to be for belonging to the church? Possi-bility to have a Christian baptism for my children
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
Not very important 3 283 6.7 11.1
Not at all important 4 200 4.8 7.9
Can’t say 5 59 1.4 2.3
System missing (SYSMIS) . 1654 39.4 –
4194 100.0 100.0
[K2_4] How important do you consider the following reasons to be for be-longing to the church? Possibility to act as a godparent
Question
How important do you consider the following reasons to be for belonging to the church? Possi-bility to act as a godparent
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
Very important 1 818 19.5 32.2
Fairly important 2 1063 25.3 41.9
Not very important 3 470 11.2 18.5
Not at all important 4 157 3.7 6.2
Can’t say 5 32 0.8 1.3
System missing (SYSMIS) . 1654 39.4 –
4194 100.0 100.0
[K2_5] How important do you consider the following reasons to be for be-longing to the church? Possibility to be married in a church ceremony
Question
How important do you consider the following reasons to be for belonging to the church? Possi-bility to be married in a church ceremony
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
K2_7 (cont. from previous page)
label value n % v. %
Not at all important 4 248 5.9 9.8
Can’t say 5 29 0.7 1.1
System missing (SYSMIS) . 1654 39.4 –
4194 100.0 100.0
[K2_6] How important do you consider the following reasons to be for be-longing to the church? Possibility to have a funeral ceremony in church
Question
How important do you consider the following reasons to be for belonging to the church? Possi-bility to have a funeral ceremony in church
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
Very important 1 1206 28.8 47.5
Fairly important 2 865 20.6 34.1
Not very important 3 270 6.4 10.6
Not at all important 4 170 4.1 6.7
Can’t say 5 29 0.7 1.1
System missing (SYSMIS) . 1654 39.4 –
4194 100.0 100.0
[K2_7] How important do you consider the following reasons to be for be-longing to the church? The church upholds traditional Christian moral standards
Question
How important do you consider the following reasons to be for belonging to the church? The church upholds traditional Christian moral standards
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
Not at all important 4 263 6.3 10.4
Can’t say 5 55 1.3 2.2
System missing (SYSMIS) . 1654 39.4 –
4194 100.0 100.0
[K2_8] How important do you consider the following reasons to be for be-longing to the church? The church strengthens my faith in God
Question
How important do you consider the following reasons to be for belonging to the church? The church strengthens my faith in God
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
Very important 1 397 9.5 15.6
Fairly important 2 674 16.1 26.5
Not very important 3 733 17.5 28.9
Not at all important 4 642 15.3 25.3
Can’t say 5 94 2.2 3.7
System missing (SYSMIS) . 1654 39.4 –
4194 100.0 100.0
[K2_9] How important do you consider the following reasons to be for be-longing to the church? The church is part of the Finnish way of life
Question
How important do you consider the following reasons to be for belonging to the church? The church is part of the Finnish way of life
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
Very important 1 641 15.3 25.2
K2_11 (cont. from previous page)
label value n % v. %
Can’t say 5 47 1.1 1.9
System missing (SYSMIS) . 1654 39.4 –
4194 100.0 100.0
[K2_10] How important do you consider the following reasons to be for belonging to the church? The church maintains the hope of life after death
Question
How important do you consider the following reasons to be for belonging to the church? The church maintains the hope of life after death
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
Very important 1 492 11.7 19.4
Fairly important 2 671 16.0 26.4
Not very important 3 645 15.4 25.4
Not at all important 4 615 14.7 24.2
Can’t say 5 117 2.8 4.6
System missing (SYSMIS) . 1654 39.4 –
4194 100.0 100.0
[K2_11] How important do you consider the following reasons to be for belonging to the church? The church organises activities for children and young people
Question
How important do you consider the following reasons to be for belonging to the church? The church organises activities for children and young people
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
label value n % v. %
Can’t say 5 29 0.7 1.1
System missing (SYSMIS) . 1654 39.4 –
4194 100.0 100.0
[K2_12] How important do you consider the following reasons to be for be-longing to the church? The church teaches Christian love for one’s neigh-bour
Question
How important do you consider the following reasons to be for belonging to the church? The church teaches Christian love for one’s neighbour
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
Very important 1 877 20.9 34.5
Fairly important 2 1047 25.0 41.2
Not very important 3 377 9.0 14.8
Not at all important 4 195 4.6 7.7
Can’t say 5 44 1.0 1.7
System missing (SYSMIS) . 1654 39.4 –
4194 100.0 100.0
[K2_13] How important do you consider the following reasons to be for belonging to the church? The church teaches the right values to children and young people
Question
How important do you consider the following reasons to be for belonging to the church? The church teaches the right values to children and young people
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
K2_15 (cont. from previous page)
label value n % v. %
Not very important 3 353 8.4 13.9
Not at all important 4 181 4.3 7.1
Can’t say 5 55 1.3 2.2
System missing (SYSMIS) . 1654 39.4 –
4194 100.0 100.0
[K2_14] How important do you consider the following reasons to be for belonging to the church? The church helps the elderly and the disabled
Question
How important do you consider the following reasons to be for belonging to the church? The church helps the elderly and the disabled
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
Very important 1 1081 25.8 42.6
Fairly important 2 1146 27.3 45.1
Not very important 3 204 4.9 8.0
Not at all important 4 72 1.7 2.8
Can’t say 5 37 0.9 1.5
System missing (SYSMIS) . 1654 39.4 –
4194 100.0 100.0
[K2_15] How important do you consider the following reasons to be for belonging to the church? The church maintains cemeteries
Question
How important do you consider the following reasons to be for belonging to the church? The church maintains cemeteries
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
Not at all important 4 68 1.6 2.7
Can’t say 5 18 0.4 0.7
System missing (SYSMIS) . 1654 39.4 –
4194 100.0 100.0
[K2_16] How important do you consider the following reasons to be for belonging to the church? The church helps the poor in the Third World
Question
How important do you consider the following reasons to be for belonging to the church? The church helps the poor in the Third World
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
Very important 1 608 14.5 23.9
Fairly important 2 1115 26.6 43.9
Not very important 3 517 12.3 20.4
Not at all important 4 227 5.4 8.9
Can’t say 5 73 1.7 2.9
System missing (SYSMIS) . 1654 39.4 –
4194 100.0 100.0
[K2_17] How important do you consider the following reasons to be for belonging to the church? The church maintains churches and churchyards which are part of our cultural history
Question
How important do you consider the following reasons to be for belonging to the church? The church maintains churches and churchyards which are part of our cultural history
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
K2_19 (cont. from previous page)
label value n % v. %
Not at all important 4 105 2.5 4.1
Can’t say 5 36 0.9 1.4
System missing (SYSMIS) . 1654 39.4 –
4194 100.0 100.0
[K2_18] How important do you consider the following reasons to be for belonging to the church? The church publicly defends the poor and the marginalised
Question
How important do you consider the following reasons to be for belonging to the church? The church publicly defends the poor and the marginalised
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
Very important 1 865 20.6 34.1
Fairly important 2 1086 25.9 42.8
Not very important 3 375 8.9 14.8
Not at all important 4 139 3.3 5.5
Can’t say 5 75 1.8 3.0
System missing (SYSMIS) . 1654 39.4 –
4194 100.0 100.0
[K2_19] How important do you consider the following reasons to be for belonging to the church? The church maintains the Christian tradition of church holidays (Christmas, Easter etc.)
Question
How important do you consider the following reasons to be for belonging to the church? The church maintains the Christian tradition of church holidays (Christmas, Easter etc.)
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
Fairly important 2 932 22.2 36.7
Not very important 3 314 7.5 12.4
Not at all important 4 156 3.7 6.1
Can’t say 5 25 0.6 1.0
System missing (SYSMIS) . 1654 39.4 –
4194 100.0 100.0
[K2B] Have you considered leaving the Evangelical Lutheran Church?
Question
Have you considered leaving the Evangelical Lutheran Church?
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
Couldn’t consider leaving the church under any cir-cumstances
1 549 13.1 21.6
Have never considered leaving, no reason to consider it now
2 1003 23.9 39.5
Have considered leaving but concluded it’s out of question
3 483 11.5 19.0
Have frequently considered leaving but not sure about this
4 319 7.6 12.6
It is likely that I will leave the church at some point 5 147 3.5 5.8
Can’t say 6 39 0.9 1.5
System missing (SYSMIS) . 1654 39.4 –
4194 100.0 100.0
[K3] (IF DOES NOT BELONG TO THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH) Have you resigned from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland at some point?
Question
(IF DOES NOT BELONG TO THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH) Have you resigned from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland at some point?
K4_2
label value n % v. %
Have never been a member 1 245 5.8 14.8
Yes, when? 2 1409 33.6 85.2
System missing (SYSMIS) . 2540 60.6 –
4194 100.0 100.0
[K4_1] To what extent did the following have an impact on your decision to resign from the church: I am not a religious person
Question
To what extent did the following have an impact on your decision to resign from the church: I am not a religious person
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
Not at all 1 294 7.0 20.9
Only a little 2 123 2.9 8.7
Somewhat 3 139 3.3 9.9
Quite a lot 4 245 5.8 17.4
Decisively 5 608 14.5 43.2
System missing (SYSMIS) . 2785 66.4 –
4194 100.0 100.0
[K4_2] To what extent did the following have an impact on your decision to resign from the church: The church does not matter to me as an institution
Question
To what extent did the following have an impact on your decision to resign from the church: The church does not matter to me as an institution
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
Not at all 1 186 4.4 13.2
Only a little 2 190 4.5 13.5
label value n % v. % 4194 100.0 100.0
[K4_3] To what extent did the following have an impact on your decision to resign from the church: I was disillusioned with the activities of the Evan-gelical Lutheran parish
Question
To what extent did the following have an impact on your decision to resign from the church: I was disillusioned with the activities of the Evangelical Lutheran parish
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
Not at all 1 472 11.3 33.5
Only a little 2 227 5.4 16.1
Somewhat 3 218 5.2 15.5
Quite a lot 4 212 5.1 15.0
Decisively 5 280 6.7 19.9
System missing (SYSMIS) . 2785 66.4 –
4194 100.0 100.0
[K4_4] To what extent did the following have an impact on your decision to resign from the church: Another religious community matches my thinking better
Question
To what extent did the following have an impact on your decision to resign from the church:
Another religious community matches my thinking better
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
Not at all 1 1175 28.0 83.4
Only a little 2 61 1.5 4.3
K4_6 (cont. from previous page)
label value n % v. %
Decisively 5 90 2.1 6.4
System missing (SYSMIS) . 2785 66.4 –
4194 100.0 100.0
[K4_5] To what extent did the following have an impact on your decision to resign from the church: I do not want to pay the church tax
Question
To what extent did the following have an impact on your decision to resign from the church: I do not want to pay the church tax
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
Not at all 1 254 6.1 18.0
Only a little 2 247 5.9 17.5
Somewhat 3 245 5.8 17.4
Quite a lot 4 226 5.4 16.0
Decisively 5 437 10.4 31.0
System missing (SYSMIS) . 2785 66.4 –
4194 100.0 100.0
[K4_6] To what extent did the following have an impact on your decision to resign from the church: I moved to another municipality
Question
To what extent did the following have an impact on your decision to resign from the church: I moved to another municipality
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
Not at all 1 1331 31.7 94.5
label value n % v. %
System missing (SYSMIS) . 2785 66.4 –
4194 100.0 100.0
[K4_7] To what extent did the following have an impact on your decision to resign from the church: I disagreed with a decision or position of the church
Question
To what extent did the following have an impact on your decision to resign from the church: I disagreed with a decision or position of the church
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
Not at all 1 539 12.9 38.3
Only a little 2 145 3.5 10.3
Somewhat 3 191 4.6 13.6
Quite a lot 4 216 5.2 15.3
Decisively 5 318 7.6 22.6
System missing (SYSMIS) . 2785 66.4 –
4194 100.0 100.0
[K4_8] To what extent did the following have an impact on your decision to resign from the church: I resigned along with my parents
Question
To what extent did the following have an impact on your decision to resign from the church: I resigned along with my parents
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
Not at all 1 1352 32.2 96.0
Only a little 2 8 0.2 0.6
K4_10 (cont. from previous page)
label value n % v. %
System missing (SYSMIS) . 2785 66.4 –
4194 100.0 100.0
[K4_9] To what extent did the following have an impact on your decision to resign from the church: The church is too intolerant of sexual minorities
Question
To what extent did the following have an impact on your decision to resign from the church: The church is too intolerant of sexual minorities
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
Not at all 1 718 17.1 51.0
Only a little 2 125 3.0 8.9
Somewhat 3 175 4.2 12.4
Quite a lot 4 187 4.5 13.3
Decisively 5 204 4.9 14.5
System missing (SYSMIS) . 2785 66.4 –
4194 100.0 100.0
[K4_10] To what extent did the following have an impact on your decision to resign from the church: The church is too tolerant of sexual minorities
Question
To what extent did the following have an impact on your decision to resign from the church: The church is too tolerant of sexual minorities
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
Not at all 1 1184 28.2 84.0
Only a little 2 52 1.2 3.7
label value n % v. % 4194 100.0 100.0
[K4_11] To what extent did the following have an impact on your decision to resign from the church: I resigned on the spur of the moment
Question
To what extent did the following have an impact on your decision to resign from the church: I resigned on the spur of the moment
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
Not at all 1 1262 30.1 89.6
Only a little 2 84 2.0 6.0
Somewhat 3 36 0.9 2.6
Quite a lot 4 17 0.4 1.2
Decisively 5 10 0.2 0.7
System missing (SYSMIS) . 2785 66.4 –
4194 100.0 100.0
[K4_12] To what extent did the following have an impact on your decision to resign from the church: I do not believe in God
Question
To what extent did the following have an impact on your decision to resign from the church: I do not believe in God
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
Not at all 1 407 9.7 28.9
Only a little 2 121 2.9 8.6
Somewhat 3 121 2.9 8.6
Quite a lot 4 161 3.8 11.4
K6
[K5] Have you considered joining the Evangelical Lutheran Church?
Question
Have you considered joining the Evangelical Lutheran Church?
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
Couldn’t consider joining the church under any cir-cumstances
1 735 17.5 44.4
Have never considered joining, see no reason to con-sider it now
2 606 14.4 36.6
Have sometimes considered joining but concluded it’s out of question
3 109 2.6 6.6
Have frequently considered joining but not sure 4 51 1.2 3.1 It is likely that I will join the church at some point 5 57 1.4 3.4
Can’t say 6 96 2.3 5.8
System missing (SYSMIS) . 2540 60.6 –
4194 100.0 100.0
[K6] The parish of a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church is de-termined by their place of residence. In your opinion, should members of the church be able to choose their own parish regardless of their place of residence?
Question
The parish of a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church is determined by their place of residence. In your opinion, should members of the church be able to choose their own parish regardless of their place of residence?
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
Yes 1 929 22.2 34.2
No 2 829 19.8 30.5
Can’t say 3 957 22.8 35.2
System missing (SYSMIS) . 1479 35.3 –
[K7] How often do you take part in the activities or services of your parish or are otherwise directly in contact with the parish? (e.g. worship services, wedding and funeral ceremonies, concerts, children’s play groups, diaconal work etc.)
Question
How often do you take part in the activities or services of your parish or are otherwise directly in contact with the parish? (e.g. worship services, wedding and funeral ceremonies, concerts, children’s play groups, diaconal work etc.)
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
Weekly 1 305 7.3 11.2
At least once a month 2 389 9.3 14.3
Once per six months 3 707 16.9 26.0
Once a year 4 445 10.6 16.4
Less frequently 5 612 14.6 22.5
I do not use parish services 6 230 5.5 8.5
Can’t say 7 27 0.6 1.0
System missing (SYSMIS) . 1479 35.3 –
4194 100.0 100.0
[K7A_1] How often do you take part in or attend: Worship services
Question
How often do you take part in or attend: Worship services
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
At least once a week 1 121 2.9 2.9
At least once a month 2 244 5.8 5.8
A few times a year 3 571 13.6 13.6
At least once a year 4 538 12.8 12.8
Less frequently than once a year 5 862 20.6 20.6
Not at all in the past few years 6 1858 44.3 44.3
4194 100.0 100.0
K7A_4
[K7A_2] How often do you take part in or attend: A church ceremony (bap-tism, wedding, funeral)
Question
How often do you take part in or attend: A church ceremony (baptism, wedding, funeral)
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
At least once a week 1 8 0.2 0.2
At least once a month 2 25 0.6 0.6
A few times a year 3 680 16.2 16.2
At least once a year 4 1035 24.7 24.7
Less frequently than once a year 5 2131 50.8 50.8
Not at all in the past few years 6 315 7.5 7.5
4194 100.0 100.0
[K7A_3] How often do you take part in or attend: Church concerts or other religious musical events
Question
How often do you take part in or attend: Church concerts or other religious musical events
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
At least once a week 1 11 0.3 0.3
At least once a month 2 100 2.4 2.4
A few times a year 3 710 16.9 16.9
At least once a year 4 718 17.1 17.1
Less frequently than once a year 5 1002 23.9 23.9
Not at all in the past few years 6 1653 39.4 39.4
4194 100.0 100.0
[K7A_4] How often do you take part in or attend: Voluntary work for the
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
At least once a week 1 93 2.2 2.2
At least once a month 2 149 3.6 3.6
A few times a year 3 161 3.8 3.8
At least once a year 4 140 3.3 3.3
Less frequently than once a year 5 528 12.6 12.6
Not at all in the past few years 6 3123 74.5 74.5
4194 100.0 100.0
[K7A_5] How often do you take part in or attend: Other parish activities
Question
How often do you take part in or attend: Other parish activities
Frequencies
label value n % v. %
At least once a week 1 140 3.3 3.3
At least once a month 2 188 4.5 4.5
A few times a year 3 295 7.0 7.0
At least once a year 4 285 6.8 6.8
Less frequently than once a year 5 661 15.8 15.8
Not at all in the past few years 6 2625 62.6 62.6
Not at all in the past few years 6 2625 62.6 62.6