Spain Losing Its Religion/Expactica.com

[I thought this might explain the Spanish SSM poll, for those who doubt its authenticity. . .Maggie]

Spain 'will not be a Catholic country in 20 years'

5 April 2006

"For the first time ever, a majority of young Spaniards said they did not consider themselves Catholics, according to a new survey.

The survey, by the Fundacion Santa Maria, said many felt a mounting distrust of the Roman Catholic Church and growing disbelief in God, the Spanish daily El Pais reported. The authors of the survey said its results indicate that within a generation Spain will no longer be a Catholic country, as the present generation's children will not be brought up as believers.

The survey polled Spaniards aged between 15 and 24. It found that last year only 49 percent said they were were Catholics - either practising or non-practising. In comparison, a previous survey, in 1996, found 77 percent of respondents said they would describe themselves as Catholics.

Part of the huge drop in support for the Church was put down to its failure to adapt to modern times, said sociologists. Juan González Anleo, one of the authors of the report, said the Church's "unpopular" stance on issues such as the legalisation of gay marriage or abortion have alienated younger people.

The survey found the Catholic Church is the least trusted of any institution, including multi-national companies and NATO.One in eight said it was excessively wealthy. But 43 percent said they wanted a Church wedding, compared with 22 percent who would like a civil ceremony."
posted by maggie at 1:07 PM | link

2 Comments:

At 4/24/2006 3:57 AM,  José Solano said...

—
This survey of the Fundación Santa María is reported by Expatica which is a publication for expatriates, I think mostly Americans, in Spain. No other direct link to the survey has been provided. Expatica borrowed it from the newspaper El Pais and apparently put their own spin on it. I could not find the story in El Pais but found a far more detailed account of the survey at Información, Comunidad Escolar, http://comunidad-escolar.pntic.mec.es/644/info4-1.html

I consider Comunidad Escolar a more reliable source on such matters than El Pais and certainly far more than Expatica. As with the earlier posting about a poll showing that 61% in Spain favored homosexual marriages, the actual studies need to be seen. Clearly Comunidad Escolar is emphasizing other aspects of the survey.

Although the report notes considerable discontent in the age group of 15 - 24 year olds over many issues in Spain, from drug problems to terrorism, as well as some distrust of all institutions, Comunidad Escolar notes absolutely nothing about Spain not being a Catholic country in 20 years nor does it show any complaints about the Catholic Church's opposition to same-sex marriage. It does note that only 12% are attending Mass weekly as compared with 20% in 1984. This drop, the survey indicates, is caused by youth's involvement with musical activities, night life, sex, consumerism, travel, etc. which the survey indicates has been detrimental to both their schooling and church life.

I do not have the time to give a complete explanation and translation of the study as detailed by Comunidad Escolar, but I can say that the youth are divided into five major categories that express varied dissatisfactions with contemporary problems. Many are disinterested in politics and religion but most are very much supportive of Spanish family life. More than 90% live with their parents and are, after the Italians, the last in all Europe to leave home.

 

At 4/24/2006 5:09 AM,  José Solano said...

—
Based on reading several on-line newspapers from Spain it appears that the sociologist Juan María González-Anleo is himself making interpretations based on the data obtained from the survey that he coordinated. He notes a wide variety of problems among youth including a very high drop in overall reading. 26% stated they had not read a book in the last year and another 21% said they read only when forced, while 50% go out every weekend and most do not return home till four in the morning.

The survey seems to be more an indictment on Spain's youth than on the Catholic Church. I do know that youth often tends to grow up so that the attitude of youth is not reliable indicator of how they will be 20 years later.

I'm still working on finding the actual results of the survey and to learn more about González-Anleo.

 

Post a Comment

<< Home