Is not a sin in one place a sin in another place? A study of pietistic norms in Norwegian- American emigrant environments

The title of the project refers to an episode when the Norwegian congregation was found guilty of sin by the British-Americans. This surprised the immigrants. After the Sunday service they danced on the church green as they used to do in Norway, with the pastor present. When they then were criticised by the Americans one of the Norwegians burst out: Is not a sin in one place a sin in another place ? * The study is limited for the period between 1870 to 1917 for several reasons among them the development and events in Norwegian- American church- history and changing traits of migration. The selection of the churches in this study is comprised of 6 Norwegian-American churches from 3 different Synods, out of a total of 14 Norwegian-American Synods. All the churches are from Minnesota. * Theme and problems raised. The theme aims at illuminating the way of life and lifestyle. The Norwegian emigrants who left during the period in question brought with them a religious heritage which they one way or another tra nsformed. * Source material. The primary material is the congregations? hand-written protocols. *Method.The composition of the material immediately pointed towards comparison as the appropriate method. *Results. If it is relevant to characterise somethi ng as old fashion or modern when speaking about mentality, lifestyle and church life, one can refer to the English historian Frank Thistletwaite who said about Norwegians in Minnesota that they were preserving a Lutheranism that was regarded as archaic in Norway and Europe.