Siðmennt, the Icelandic Ethical Humanist Association, has played a pivotal role in a changing Iceland, where the boundaries between tradition and modernity are being continually re-examined. Founded in February 1990 after organising a civil confirmation course the preceding year, Siðmennt was born from a desire to provide non-religious alternatives for life’s major events. Its name fuses “sið-” (meaning ethics or tradition) with “-mennt” (education), reflecting its core focus on ethical humanism and personal development.
From its earliest days, Siðmennt has stood as a voice for secular values and human rights in Iceland. Its most visible work lies in its organisation of civil confirmations, primarily for 14-year-olds. These non-religious ceremonies offer an alternative to the country’s deeply embedded tradition of Christian confirmation, affirming humanist values rather than religious belief.
By 2020, about 13% of Icelandic youth in this age group selected a civil confirmation over a church-based one, an indication of the gradual but significant movement toward secularisation. Siðmennt’s influence has only grown since its first ceremony, and its services now extend to secular namegiving, wedding, and funeral ceremonies, all conducted by trained celebrants. Since 2008, these options have become increasingly popular, paralleling shifts in Icelandic society’s religious and philosophical outlook.
Legal and cultural recognition
A milestone was reached in 2013 when changes to Icelandic law made it possible for non-religious lifestance organisations to gain the same state recognition and rights as religious groups. This legal change was strongly supported and lobbied for by Siðmennt. On May 3, 2013, it achieved full legal status, securing state funding equivalently to religious associations and reinforcing the principle of equality among different worldviews.
This recognition spurred rapid growth. Membership in Siðmennt expanded from around 300 at the time of legal registration in 2013 to over 4,700 by April 2022. By 2025, membership numbers surpassed 6,000, making Siðmennt one of the largest lifestance organisations, religious or secular, in Iceland. Part of this growth reflects an increasing openness to worldviews not tied to church or scripture.
Focus on humanism and community
Beyond ceremonies, Siðmennt is active in promoting human rights, ethics and freedom of belief. It hosts debates and discussion forums on a wide range of topics, from freedom of expression and education policy to issues affecting sexual minorities. The group also organises an annual Humanist Award and an Education and Science Award, recognising individuals and organisations that contribute to social progress and human rights.
Siðmennt’s reach is not limited to Iceland; it is affiliated with European and international humanist unions and has ties to similar organisations in Norway and the United Kingdom. Despite these broad connections, Siðmennt commonly avoids direct political involvement, but it does advocate for the separation of church and state and the equal treatment of all belief systems.
Since 2015, Siðmennt has operated from a dedicated office in Reykjavík with permanent staff, marking its evolution into a stable presence in Icelandic life. Its steady growth and expanding influence reflect ongoing conversations in Icelandic society about tradition, individual rights and the meaning of community in a modern, diverse society.
Sources
- Wikipedia
- Wikipedia (Icelandic) in Icelandic
