Nominerad till Prix Europa. En ensam, arbetslös amerikansk kvinna får till uppdrag att döda Lars Vilks. Arbejdsløs, det forklarer jo det hele.

Röda sten – natten till den elfte september

Gudløshed gjorde Sverige stort

Mjah, njoh, det indtil kedlige, fredelige land producerede søvndyssende krimis på samlebånd. Gud så, at landet var kedeligt, så opfandt han multikulturen. Ingen har endnu skrevet en femi-krimi om den og dens dødsofre. Hvad er de så bange for, Mankell og Marklund? Hvad spilder de deres liv med?

Sweden has long played an outsized role in the global music industry, providing a host of songwriters, producers, technological innovations and successful performers. A solid musical education system, general prosperity and a deftness at imitation have all been mentioned as drivers. But one of the patriarchs of Swedish pop has a different explanation: godlessness.

“Sweden is an open, liberal, secular and democratic country,” he says. “We strive towards achieving equality, we are forward-looking and refuse to be pulled back by social constructs, such as religion.”

While ABBA never made any serious political statements with its music, Ulvaeus himself has emerged as a controversial social commentator in recent years. Less known outside Sweden are his secularist views, and his avid criticism of religion. An active member of Humanisterna, the Swedish member organization of the International Humanist and Ethical Union, he says religion constraints creativity. “Religion is the root of so much misery in the world and I’ve always thought there is lack of criticism against it.”

“Look at all the misery in the Middle East for example. All these countries have Islam in common, and far too few dare to criticize Islam as an ideology, and what it’s doing to these countries. I know I might get punched in the face for saying these things, but my conviction is that less religion in the world would be better.” WSJ: ABBA Founder: Godlessness Makes Sweden’s Pop Music Great