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There is no such thing as a devout RC (or Protestant) country in western Europe. Europeans are increasingly and predominantly secular.
However, in some countries, legislation inspired by a religious tradition remains on the books. It generally isn't a problem because a European can travel as easily from Spain to France as an American can travel from Indiana to Illinois.
Yes, they can travel, but the reason that there was a strong protest...
Spain , on the other hand, has for years had a religion unifying the entire country. An overwhelming percentage of people in the country still practice that religion and for the mere reason that the religion has been such a big part of the culture in the country, it is still a part of the public institutions. According to the Spanish constitution, religion must be available to students at whatever school they attend, while it is voluntary, it must be available in all religions. This is the case in both public and private schools and the religious teaching in public school is something that is most likely a result of the decades of national religion that was present in the country. The private schools are mostly endorsed by the Catholic Church. In essence, any child that goes to the public or private schools in Spain will have the option to immerse themselves in the Catholic religion.
The huge difference that religion plays in Spain and US education is a direct result of the history of the land. While Spain remains a predominantly Roman Catholic country, as it has been for hundreds of years, the US prides its self on individuality, freedom and a division of church and state.
Yes, they can travel, but the reason that there was a strong protest...
Spain , on the other hand, has for years had a religion unifying the entire country. An overwhelming percentage of people in the country still practice that religion and for the mere reason that the religion has been such a big part of the culture in the country, it is still a part of the public institutions. According to the Spanish constitution, religion must be available to students at whatever school they attend, while it is voluntary, it must be available in all religions. This is the case in both public and private schools and the religious teaching in public school is something that is most likely a result of the decades of national religion that was present in the country. The private schools are mostly endorsed by the Catholic Church. In essence, any child that goes to the public or private schools in Spain will have the option to immerse themselves in the Catholic religion.
The huge difference that religion plays in Spain and US education is a direct result of the history of the land. While Spain remains a predominantly Roman Catholic country, as it has been for hundreds of years, the US prides its self on individuality, freedom and a division of church and state.
Your quote demonstrates that you do not have a good understanding of modern Spain.
...an area in which the Church has an especially strong influence due to its leading role in private schools – it positioned itself against the new school subject of "citizenship”. It is in competition with Catholic religious education and is described by the Church as "laical ideology”. In the area of health, too, its social influence in certain departments of some hospitals (gynaecology, obstetrics etc.) has made it more difficult to apply current abortion law. This is because some of the medical staff has refused to perform abortions, citing a "right of refusal on grounds of conscience”. In some parts of Spain, in which the influence of the Catholic Church is especially strong, Spanish women who have a legal right to abortion in Seguridad Social treatment centres, must travel to another town or even abroad in order to be allowed to undergo an abortion.
Your response to my posted quote shows that you did not understand that I was giving an example of the Catholic Church still having a strong influence in Spain. Whether or not each citizen chooses to strictly practice the faith or not does not change the fact that the citizenry is predominantly Catholic.
Not all of the world wishes to see Abortions on Demand.
It is a misconception that most of the world is more lax on abortions than that US. In fact, virtually every European country, most of Latin America, and Australia have much stricter abortion laws than the US.
The US is more unique in that it is considered a major issue. Most Europeans and Australians care very little about abortion on both sides and it is rarely mentioned. I've lived in Australia for almost eight years now and most pro-choice people (many of them are educated and well into adulthood) are surprised to learn that it is extremely difficult to get an abortion in Australia and that the laws are stricter than in the US.
Location: By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea
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Originally Posted by samyn on the green
The Spanish are an old and wise society that has maintained the ancient cultural knowledge of the Hebrews, Greeks and Romans in their hearts. They do not want to subject themselves to the spiritual slavery that sexual immorality invariably triggers. The Spanish know what freedom is and they are fighting for it.
Fighting for what freedom? The 'freedom' of having the government control a woman's body and medical decisions affecting it?
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Your response to my posted quote shows that you did not understand that I was giving an example of the Catholic Church still having a strong influence in Spain. Whether or not each citizen chooses to strictly practice the faith or not does not change the fact that the citizenry is predominantly Catholic.
Predominantly catholic .... yes, they get married, get christened and get buried in church. For the most part those are the only times they ever go. So, nominally they are catholic, in practice they are non-practising and secular. It is more about tradition than devotion.
Does the church have a strong influence. I would say the answer is no just as in other European countries.
The Spanish are an old and wise society that has maintained the ancient cultural knowledge of the Hebrews, Greeks and Romans in their hearts. They do not want to subject themselves to the spiritual slavery that sexual immorality invariably triggers. The Spanish know what freedom is and they are fighting for it.
I see you convenentley left out their Islamic past.
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