I see the creation story as symbolic

How christian are you? Are you superkristen? Filip Eldegyll from Vännäs outside of Umeå are used to get the questions.

" But the key for me is to have a faith in Jesus, the love that gives hope and joy. And then, I don't think it should be more or less christian.

Filip Eldegyll is a firefighter and also works at a restaurant. Photo: Fredrik Samuelson

the man walked away from God. For that we could more easily understand God, he became man, Jesus. Jesus died on a cross and rose from the dead to demonstrate eternal life.

According to Filip, we have people easily to do evil to ourselves and others. Every day, we can do no wrong, think a bad thought about someone. We are in need of guidance. That's what we get with Jesus. The christian faith is not a result of the performance or to comply with a list of what you may or may not do, " says Philip.

" Jesus has done all the work, man only needs to say yes to him. It is to believe and trust that Jesus leads us in our lives. You may believe in his heart and develop a personal relationship with God.

He grew up in a family that belongs to the mission covenant Church of sweden, a part of Equmeniakyrkan.

But in christianity it is important to take its own decision whether to believe in Jesus. My decision I took after confirmation of the missionary Church when I was 15 years old.

Filip Eldegyll on a visit in Immanuelskyrkan, which belongs to Equmeniakyrkan, in the centre of Stockholm. Photo: Fredrik Samuelson

faith is not some set rituals. However, it is common, but not required, to apply to any church, read the Bible and pray, " he says.

" I like to go to my church. All come from different backgrounds, have different opinions but share the most central in our lives. We pray together if that is difficult, but also that which we are grateful and teaches us more about the faith.

He believes that God hears prayer, which he describes as a call to God which all might have.

– Then if you get the answer to prayer, it is not known. But I can feel a very, very quiet.

much doubt that there is a god he has not known. Rather, he can wrestle with any question, about what is right or wrong. He may sometimes hear that christianity is about rules, but compare to children during the childhood get advice from their parents about how they are going to do. The important thing, according to Philip, is not to see the Bible as a rulebook, but as a guidance.

Some things are weird, especially the Old testament, " he says. Philip speculates that it must interpret what it says based on the time it was written and that you get to leave it you don't understand.

" I think there is a reason for every word and every book in the Bible, but God also wants us to interpret and think for yourself about the lyrics. The society was very different 2,000 years ago. We people should not to judge, it says, it is only God who judges, then I shall not judge other people.

He believes in science and says of the creation story:

" I see the creation account as symbolic. But I think that everything has somehow come from God.

Filip think of the free churches, in some contexts, may have been a conservative stamp.

but admit that homosexuality can be considered to be a sin in the Bible. It depends on what interpretation one makes. He sees sex as something you share with someone in a relationship. Abortion is up to the woman, but he thinks that there might be ethical dilemmas, such as if you make abortion on the grounds of the wrong sex.

He does not drink alcohol but says that it has to do with the fact that he is ”straight edge”, a lifestyle associated to the punk and hardcoremusik which means that avoiding tobacco, alcohol and other drugs. At leisure, he sings in a hardcore band. Otherwise, he is a fireman and works in the restaurant.

Philip believe that the free churches, in some contexts, may have been a conservative stamp.

– People can be very skeptical as to the faith and the church. You might have a picture of the american christian right. When there is something extreme they are about it. It is what you usually see in the media. It is the this rough generaliseringarna. Questions about sex before marriage, what you think about homosexuality. It is also very different how to set it up in the question.

" Some think that christians should impose on a something. For me it is very important that the person you talk to is curious and interested. I don't think anyone I know would say that I prackar on someone something.

" But it is a difficult balancing act. It feels like I'm violating someone's privacy, or perceived it as that I actually care about this person and want to tell you about something that I think can also do good in the lives of others, because it is so for me? I try to think about it and be careful.

Filip Eldegyll live in Vännäs, outside Umeå. Photo: Fredrik Samuelson

between personal faith in his heart and religion, that can and has been misused for political or economic purposes, and be aware of the history of the church.

– we have a separate state and church is very important. The society shall not be conducted on the basis of pressure, or linked to, the church. As a christian I need to be aware of the church's bloody history, that I can not defend or stand for. For me it is very important not to shut themselves in the church but is a christian in real life on the weekdays. Otherwise, it just becomes religion.