This thesis investigates the integration of priests from the Church of Sweden within the Swedish Armed Forces, despite Sweden's secularization. The study aims to understand the reasons behind this inclusion and its impact on military capabilities. Utilizing a qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with experienced military personnel and priests. The thematic analysis revealed three primary themes: moral factors contributing to combat effectiveness, existential and mental health support, and the historical and cultural integration of the Church of Sweden within the Armed Forces. The findings indicate that priests enhance moral resilience, offer existential support, and maintain cultural continuity, all of which are vital for military performance. The study concludes that while religion is not used to legitimize warfare, the presence of priests provides essential ethical guidance and psychological support, thereby reinforcing the overall combat capability and well-being of military personnel.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:fhs-12572 |
| Date | January 2024 |
| Creators | Ax, Johan |
| Publisher | Försvarshögskolan |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | Swedish |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
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