Ales

According to the Final Figures of the 2001 Population and Housing Census there are
only 32.1% believers, 59% nondenominational and 8.8% not identified in Czechia (Czech Republic), see The Czech Statistical Office, 16 July 2002, (http://www.czso.cz:8005/sldbrwin/owa/gt04?xjazyk=EN&xuzemi=1&xtyp=1)
("Not identified" are those who left this question empty. With respect to Luke 12:9 "But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God" or Matt 10:33: "But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven" and the fact that the questionnaires of non-adults were filled in by their parents, who, if beievers, are ordered to integrate them into the church structure it seems that there isn’t more than one third of adult believers in Czechia.)

Let us now compare these numbers with the results of the 1991 census, also provided by The Czech Statistical Office: Men: 40.7% believers, 42.3% nondenominational, 17.0% not identified; Women: 47.0% believers, 37.7% nondenominational, 15.3%

For the theists-who are unconstitutionally paid by the state-it must be a disappointment and it is a counterexample to an assertion that removal of communism and a massive pro religious campaign would lead to an increase of number of believers.

And also one curiosity: you have perhaps heard of our president V. Havel. Among the scientists he is notorious for his anti science postmodernist views but what seems to me yet stranger is that he is a vigorous defender of churches (including the violating of our Constitution) but there are fairly reliable information from independent sources about his extensive number of sexual relations in the past considered by the Christians to be illegitimate.

Joel

Yet another thread that makes me think I'd be better off living in Europe.

As to what you had to say about the Czech president, that sounds like typical behavior for a politician with a religious bent. 'Do as I say, not as I do'. It makes me wonder if his support of churches is just political pandering.... (okay, so I really don't wonder - sounds pretty certain.)

ohwilleke

What does "nondenominational" mean in the Czech Republic?

In the United States, this term would mean someone who is a believer who is either not affiliated with any church, or who is affiliated with a church that is not part of a multi-church organization.

Non-religious, in the U.S. would mean someone who is not part of any organized or recognized religion, but may or may not have beliefs in a higher power or the supernatural.

Atheist would be a non-believer in U.S. terminology.

mac_philo

What do you mean, theists are 'paid by the state'?

Also, how is it a violation of your constitutional for Havel to 'support churches'?

Please be more specific.