Are there many atheists and agnostics in Poland?

How do u feel about atheists and agnostics?

Well, i would say that like 10% maybe, certainly more then the offcial statistics say.
I, for one, am agnostic, who is officialy a catholic in the church's documents :).

two of my friends are atheists, I'm a christian

do you want to make some statistics or something?

Most atheists still carry the baggage of the religion of the cultural background or that they were brought up with.
Some lapsed Catholics still call themselves Catholics whereas others claim to be atheists when the term lapsed-Catholic applies just as well.

I hope this conversation stays positive and is representative of Poland's history of being tolerant of all kinds of religious beliefs.

Sadly religious tolerance is not a virtue expressed by many in Poland these days.

I'm actually quite proud of that fact. You know we were really ahead of our time. We accepted people regardless of religion in a time when wars were fought over religion.

Protestant VS Catholic
Christian VS Jew
Christian VS Muslim
Etc. VS Etc.

Only in the past few years have most people come to accept others regardless of religion. I think its great that the Polish nobles we so open to others back in the day.

I agree the history of Poland's tolerance is good, however I do not think modern day Poland is very tolerant at all in regards to religion. Some have an open mind, but I think the Church has way to much influence in people's perspectives in this country.

Thats the thing with being very devout. It obviously has its good points and its bad. Like the modern American is influenced by technology and the media, leading to a lazier person who wants more money for less work, while the average latino is more influenced by the church which makes them harder workers and more family oriented.

Everything has its ups and downs.

This may be true, however the Church in Poland has a lot of political power. Separation of Church and State does not exist here. For an athiest or anyone of a different religion this is pretty insulting, but that is the law of the land. Not much you can do about it since for the most part it's supported.

I have a friend doing a study about this in Poland. The majority of atheists or agnostics in Poland can't really tell their families they don't believe in god. Their family will pretty much insult and degrade them for it. Very few polish families would accept someone divorcing their faith in Poland. It's changing on some scale, mostly youth, but overall it's not that drastic of a shift.

How big is the influence of the Church in Poland actually? Examples?

M-G (can't believe that there is no seperation of Church and State in Poland)

Yes but there is something very chivalric about how religious the eastern countries are in today's world. I think countries like Poland and Slovakia and the others in that area are the only countries in the world today who have an opportunity to be able to perfectly balance out religion with modern day theology. They have old values, and are getting new education and technology and have a chance to retain some of the old with their new.

I hope they do. The western countries are already past that point.

Well a law was passed prior to the election last November. It states that on all Catholic holidays every business must close. They even included gas stations, but someone figured out that was completely ridiculous since so many people travel on those days. They found a loophole that allowed some places to be open if only the owner worked, none of the employed workers are allowed to work on those days. I wouldn't be surprised if their next move is to make it a law that all businesses must be closed on Sundays. Many churches this Saturday where pushing this sin as being very important.

For those that can't read polish, "Shopping on Sunday"

The mandatory religion course, which really only covers Catholicism is also in all schools. You can opt of out it and they are supposed to have an ethics class as a substitute, but the majority of schools don't offer that, so the student will just sit in an empty classroom for that time period.

The church has a lot of influence in shaping policy.

Omgah i knew poland was backwards but that is downright sick! Pretty much every theorcracy has really oppressed its citizens! Ur invisible friend has no place in politics or schools! Decisions should b based on facts not faith!

That is an opinion. The majority of people in Poland believe in their faith and will fight for what they believe in. Why should you try and change that. It may not be for you but you aren't living there so you shouldn't care really.

Just my 2 cents...

I'm just wondering if all this religiosity (is that correct English?) comes as a reaction of 50 years of atheist communism?

M-G

That would depend on how they are as a person..

True but wat is more logical? To make a decision b/c of something that u cannot prove exists or to make a decision based on facts? I am sure if the catholic church had its way being gay would be illegal and condoms would b illegal as well! If decisions are being based on faith they cannot b challenged at the moment since they r the "word of god" and are basically uniform throughout the church!

It is a fact that most theocracies have been very corrupt! Wat would u rather have some1 who based his policies off a 2000 yr old book or some1 who based them off current events?

everyone

First of all some Polish atheist from Poland should speak out, otherwise we can read only about stereotypes of Poland among foreigners.

Could I ask what's your religion ?


You sir are a sick clown. The law was more about trade unions than the Church.

BTW Half of Yanks don't believe in Darwin theory so don't make me hurt you...

I am an athiest from birth, just like most are Christian by birth. Most do not choose to be one faith or another, their parents usually made that decision for them. My mother was Buddhist, my father Episcopalian. I went to an Episcopalian high school and was taught both Buddhist and Christian ideals at home. However I was never baptised and I never followed either religion. So that would make me an athiest. Normally I just say I don't believe in any religion, saying your an athiest is as bad as saying your a devil worshiper in most countries.

Not sure why this would matter, but apparently it does. I don't have a problem with faith, I do have a problem with the institutions of faiths trying to impose their beliefs on my life however. In my opinion this is very much what is happening in Poland. In conversations with Catholics in Poland I hear this same sentiment as well. Luckily I've met a lot of open minded people here, but not many are over the age of 30.

"You sir are a sick clown", I like this Greg. Do urself a favour Greg and start posting longer answers. U r a smart guy, show it more

And how does It happen ?


So get out If you don't like It. You don't seriously except that we're going to change over a thousand years old tradition to make you happy, do you ?

Well let's see, yesterday and today I have to deal with the complete inconvenience of not being able to buy eggs for breakfast because of a Catholic holiday.


You just proved my point with this comment. I'm different so I should just get the hell out. I never said you had to change. I even stated there is not much I can do about it since that is the way of the land. But obviously you missed that point.

Uhhhmm... So Catholics instead of observing Easter should go to work to sell you eggs ?


No. You either express tolerance toward the culture of your host country or get the hell out.


Gee... Thanks...

No but the choice should be theirs shouldn't it? But since the church wants everyone to follow their way of life, LAWS were passed to ENFORCE this. Not everyone is Catholic, whether they are immigrants of Poland or actually Polish. There is a big difference between allowing people to live their life they choose and having religious doctrine influence politics and dictate a certain lifestyle.


Hmmm lets see, I go to all the family events that are related to the Catholic traditions because I actually do have tolerance for their beliefs and customs. I don't have tolerance for beliefs being imposed on me by politics.

You know s*ite about this law, so better go and educate yourself.

In my experience Religion is never a good topic for forums, I upset many people a while back on one of my own sites by posting my own religious beliefs.

In a way I am envious, we (in England) have lost much of our Religious integrity, I know people from all over the world and it seems Faith is stronger almost everywhere else (except the US where sadly people like Bush use it to strengthen crazy wars).

To some it would appear that we are afforded greater freedom, more choice by not being forced to go to church every Sunday/pray 5 times a day/sacrifice goats or whatever, but as we shed the confines of organised religion, we also seemed to have lost many morals.

At the moment we have a large intake of Muslim people here, Their faith is heavily based on community, much like Christianity was here once. It is very humbling to witness. But I fear for them, our 'Western ways' are polluting their children's minds and British Islam will become diluted over time also, which is sad.

Faith is important in any society, we all need to feel there is a reason for being, something to aim for and someone to watch over us. Its just a shame that Religion has killed more than any territorial war, disease or natural disaster ever has.

Be nice to each other in here guys, just because it makes little sense to you, don't mean its wrong.

Thank you for your insight here. I'm sure you a great asset to whoever listens to you.