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The majority of french population still is catholic, even if actual przctice has fallen. It has fallen also in Spain, probably more quikly than here. That doesn't even is the question, since we speak here about cultural heritage, not individual religious practice. France identity, culture and mentallity has been shaped by 1600 years of catholicism, you canno't erase suddently all this past history. Protestantism was once stronger than it is, it it never really took roots and didn't shaped much french culture since most protestand left the country to settle in Germany, switzerland or the US, etc.
This map shows the percents of Europeans saying that God doesn't exist (2005). France has the highest percent. It's hard to compare the situation with Spain or Italy.
Obviously France has christian roots. I don't say the opposite. I simply say, that the cultural predominance of catholicism in France isn't as strong as in southern europe and maybe in Latin America. In France there always has been a kind of distrust towards religion (especially since 1789), something very strong called "anticlericanism" and a lot of jokes about religion.
Last edited by arthurrdim; 02-27-2016 at 08:35 AM..
Cultural predominance of catholicism is as strong in France as in Spain.
Distrust of religion? There was a civil war here and most priests or a large part of them were killed...70 years ago...
There was a Catholic dictatorship that also generated a lot of HATRED against the church...40 years ago.
Anticlericalism was stronger here...
But history counts more, Hispania and the Gallia has been Catholic during the last 1700 years...
Too many years.
Look at gay wedding...here nobody cares, if a priest says anything people will be more in favour...but in France there's a powerful group of devout people.
France is just like Spain in that respect.
Italy is just like Spain and France....but the Vatican is there, a great pull....just like Coca Cola and Atlanta..
But Italians, not different.
They can't close churches, were would tourists go!!
Italians have always been atheistics, always, they laught at everything!!
Location: Near Tours, France about 47°10'N 0°25'E
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Krokodill
Cultural predominance of catholicism is as strong in France as in Spain.
Distrust of religion? There was a civil war here and most priests or a large part of them were killed...70 years ago...
There was a Catholic dictatorship that also generated a lot of HATRED against the church...40 years ago.
Anticlericalism was stronger here...
But history counts more, Hispania and the Gallia has been Catholic during the last 1700 years...
Too many years.
Look at gay wedding...here nobody cares, if a priest says anything people will be more in favour...but in France there's a powerful group of devout people.
That's true. Nowadays Spain is not very religious anymore. It still be culturally catholic. I discussed gay marriage question with a Spanish college two year ago, he was actually surprised by the strong division of french society on this forum. Stereotypes picture France as a very unreligious country and Spain as a very religious country when there is clearly not that distinction anymore.
I.m myself not catholic, not baptised, not practicing, but I aknoledge being part of a country that had a catholic cultural legacy
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