Brussels
What role should Religion play in the European Union Society?
Well, citizens of the European Union are still divided over the role of Religion in European society, according to a new survey of public opinion conducted by Eurobarometer.
The survey shows that forty-six percent of European Union citizens strongly believe that Religion plays too big of a role in European society, although it shows significant differences between the EU member states.
For example, twenty percent of Estonians believe that too much importance is given to religious matters.
The results of the survey also show the increasing difference between public opinion and the stance the governments of the member states take regarding top religious subjects.
According to the poll, in Poland there is a sharp tendency towards conservative Catholicism, on the government side, while fifty-five percent of Polish citizens believe that religion plays a too big of a role in Poland.
On the other hand, in Germany, only 33 percent of the population believes that Religion is given too much of an influential role. This is reflected by the German Chancellor Angela Merkel who will try to revive the European Union Constitution in the coming year. She and other German politicians strongly support some kind of reference to the Christian values of the European Union.
The Eurobarometer survey shows that many Europeans would like to see less religious influence and involvement in the affairs of the European Union; at the same time, many Europeans still remain conservative.
By Israel Rafalovich
Please also see:
Eurobarometer http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/index_en.htm
Bias Against EU Muslims Under-reported
http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1165994003675&pagename=Zone-English-News/NWELayout
What role should Religion play in the European Union Society?
Well, citizens of the European Union are still divided over the role of Religion in European society, according to a new survey of public opinion conducted by Eurobarometer.
The survey shows that forty-six percent of European Union citizens strongly believe that Religion plays too big of a role in European society, although it shows significant differences between the EU member states.
For example, twenty percent of Estonians believe that too much importance is given to religious matters.
The results of the survey also show the increasing difference between public opinion and the stance the governments of the member states take regarding top religious subjects.
According to the poll, in Poland there is a sharp tendency towards conservative Catholicism, on the government side, while fifty-five percent of Polish citizens believe that religion plays a too big of a role in Poland.
On the other hand, in Germany, only 33 percent of the population believes that Religion is given too much of an influential role. This is reflected by the German Chancellor Angela Merkel who will try to revive the European Union Constitution in the coming year. She and other German politicians strongly support some kind of reference to the Christian values of the European Union.
The Eurobarometer survey shows that many Europeans would like to see less religious influence and involvement in the affairs of the European Union; at the same time, many Europeans still remain conservative.
By Israel Rafalovich
Please also see:
Eurobarometer http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/index_en.htm
Bias Against EU Muslims Under-reported
http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1165994003675&pagename=Zone-English-News/NWELayout