Headline: Norwegian Vegan Society bboxs; Legal Battle for Recogniton as a Belief System
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In an unprecedented move, the Norwegian Vegan Society (NVS) has launched a lawsuit against the state, seeking recognition as a religion or life stance. With a membership of nearly 1000, the NVS argues that this status would entitle them to public funding of around 1500 kroner per member. The NVS’s quest for formal recognition has so far met with resistance; their application was rejected by the Regional State Administration in Agder in 2021 and later upheld by the Ministry of Children and Families in 2022. Undeterred, the NVS pursued legal action in November 2024.
Central to the NVS’s argument is the significance of rituals in veganism. The society already offers vegan alternatives to naming ceremonies, confirmations, and funerals. "Most of us have preferences for what happens to our bodies after we die, and we want that to align with the values we held in life," explains Steffen Althand, NVS leader, in an interview with Nationen.
Althand believes that veganism should be recognized as a life stance, akin to religions, due to its profound impact on individuals’ worldviews and lifestyles. He argues that veganism is more than just a diet; it’s a philosophy that challenges the commodification of animals. "We treat animals like machines that produce food for us," he says, "ignoring their conscious experiences."
However, Althand clarifies that he doesn’t advocate for absolute equality between humans and animals. "I’m not saying a chicken is as valuable as you or me," he says. "But it has enough value to live out its life without ending up on our dinner plates."
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