A confirmation class in Iceland has created controversy over its sex education content. Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson, leader of Iceland's Centre Party, entered the debate about sex education at Glerárkirkja church in Akureyri. He said the teaching materials portray Jesus, Virgin Mary, the disciples and Mary Magdalene as characters in pornography. He called this approach outrageous and nearly insane.
Parents reacted differently to the sex education evening for confirmation students last week. Sex educator Sigga Dögg led the session. One father, Ingþór Örn Valdimarsson, withdrew his daughter from confirmation classes after attending. He described the content as blasphemous and said church priests laughed and applauded during the presentation.
The education included discussions about masturbation on cold winter nights. It also covered the benefits of examining each other's bodies, complete with slides. Sigga Dögg responded in a radio interview yesterday. She said sex education receives mixed reactions from people. Her goal was to empower children and teach them that Jesus celebrated love, so they could do the same. She stated she never mentioned the Virgin Mary in her lecture.
Confirmation is a major religious coming-of-age ceremony in Nordic Lutheran churches, typically around age 14. The Akureyri controversy highlights ongoing tensions between traditional religious values and modern sex education approaches in Iceland. Religious education remains part of Iceland's school curriculum despite declining church membership.
This incident reflects broader cultural debates happening across Nordic countries about appropriate sex education content. Similar controversies have emerged in Sweden and Norway recently over comprehensive sex education in schools. The Akureyri case shows how traditional religious institutions grapple with modern approaches to sexuality education.