The Declining Religion in Europe Countries

Europe is home to broad divisions of Christianity (Roman Catholicism), Protestantism, and Eastern Orthodoxy. Christianity was considered the state religion in the later times during the Roman Empire. Leading the religion in the West, the bishop of Rome became the spiritual leader and the patriarch of Consttantinople spread the religion in the East. In 1054, a break occurred dividing Christianity into two parts in the Balkan Peninsula. The western part contained Roman Catholics, Slovenes, and Hungarians. The eastern part contained Orthodox Montenegrins, Serbs, Bulgaians, Romanians, and the Greeks. Around 76.2% of the population practices Christianity. This religion has influenced most western behaviors including politics and their work ethic. Key events such as the baptism of a newborn, Christmas, and Easter derive and associate with Christianity. 

Judaism was established during Roman times. Like Christianity, there was a division into branches, the Ashkenazi and the Sephardi. Jews migrated into andthrough Europe enabling Judaism to expand, specifically in eastern Europe. However, events such as the Holocaust and emigration decreased the religions population in Europe. In the past 50 years, Europe has lost 60% of it's Jewish population. The collapse of the Soviet Union plays a part in this decline, as Jews left Eastern Europe. Today, only 9% of the Jewish population are located in Europe compared to the 90% in the 19th century. Around two-thirds live in France, the UK, and France.

Traditioanlly, Islam only spread to parts of Europe by Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. However, Muslim communities are expanding as people move into these areas and the birth rate increases. In France, Islam is on the rise creating polical conflicts. As Christianity is the leading religion, conflicts over the different pracifices are surfacing. Around 6 percent of Europe’s population are Islamic. 

Other religions in Europe that are part of the minority are Hinduism, Buddhism, Folk Religions, and others.

Expects predict that Christianity will decrease in population as Islam and the unaffiliated will rise. They believe it is projected for the number of Christians  to drop half a billion to 400 million people by 2050. Headlines are appearing stating that there is a rise of a non-Christian Europe. “Christianity as a default is gone.” (Sherwood) A survey was taken presenting 16 to 29 year olds. 91% of this age group stated they have no religious affiliation. In addition, 70% to 80% of young adults in Estonia, Sweden, and the Netherlands also say they fit into this category. In Spain, around 70% of this age group admitted to never attending religious ceremonies and around two-thirds never pray.

Reaction: Before researching this area, I had no idea Christianity was even on the brink of decline in Europe. I've always viewed as that part of world to be the birth place of Christianity. Large extravagant churches, Roman influence in the Middle Ages, and their art have been in the context of nearly all history books. This new world is full of new ideas and less strict influence. Younger adults no follow the religious majority as much as they probably had to in the past.

Resources:

Bada, F. (2019, March 18). Religion in Europe. WorldAtlas. Retrieved November 29, 2021, from https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/religion-in-europe.html. 

Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (n.d.). Religions of Europe. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved November 29, 2021, from https://www.britannica.com/place/Europe/Religions. 

Religions in Europe: Data and statistics: GRF. Pew-Templeton Global Religious Futures Project. (n.d.). Retrieved November 29, 2021, from http://www.globalreligiousfutures.org/regions/europe. 

Sherwood, H. (2018, March 21). 'Christianity as default is gone': The rise of a non-Christian europe. The Guardian. Retrieved November 29, 2021, from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/21/christianity-non-christian-europe-young-people-survey-religion. 

Textbook: Marston, S. A., Knox, P. L., Liverman, D. M., J., D. C. V., & Robbins, P. (2017). World regions in a global context: Peoples, places, and environments. Pearson Education, Inc.

Photo: Heath, E. (2020, March 20). Things to do for easter in Rome & vatican city. TripSavvy. Retrieved November 29, 2021, from https://www.tripsavvy.com/easter-events-in-rome-and-vatican-city-4587852.