France, the growth of religious plurality
Résumé
After the Second World War, France, a secular state, remained the eldest Daughter of the Roman Catholic Church, i.e. her religious landscape was largely dominated by the Catholic Church, its hierarchy, and its institutions. Jewish and Protestant minorities held very little ground, and Islam's only stronghold was the Paris mosque. Additionally, researchers used a map of Catholic practice to provide a geographic picture of religious France.
Fifty years later, a majority of the French population continues to call itself Catholic, but the institution has become more discreet, its priests more rare, and the faithful sparse and scattered. This decline has affected, almost in the same way, the other recognized religions. Inversely, other religions have, however, gained ground - their numbers growing from migratory influx - and, today, seek recognition by the secular French state.
A review of the country's main religions shows a growth in the diversity of affiliations, and more specifically a change in the way one belongs to his/her Church. For purposes of simplification, our description only focuses on European France.
Fifty years later, a majority of the French population continues to call itself Catholic, but the institution has become more discreet, its priests more rare, and the faithful sparse and scattered. This decline has affected, almost in the same way, the other recognized religions. Inversely, other religions have, however, gained ground - their numbers growing from migratory influx - and, today, seek recognition by the secular French state.
A review of the country's main religions shows a growth in the diversity of affiliations, and more specifically a change in the way one belongs to his/her Church. For purposes of simplification, our description only focuses on European France.
Domaines
Géographie
Loading...