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Religious presence in the public sphere

The relations between the Church and the state are a topic of numerous public debates and legal analyses.
In Poland, the presence of religious symbols, Church and priests in the public sphere is strongly grounded in culture. The vast majority of Poles do not object to crucifixes in public buildings (88%), religious character of military oath (85%), religious education in school (82%), participation of the clergy in state ceremonies (80%), consecration of public space and buildings (76%) or priests on public television (74%). Even people who rarely or never attend religious service and respondents with left-wing political views do not object in their majority to the above-mentioned practices

Do you accept the following situations?
Question/response Approve Disapprove Don’t know
Crucifixes in public buildings 88% 10% 2%
Religious character of military oath of enlistment 85% 10% 5%
Religious education in schools 82% 15% 3%
Priests participating in State ceremonies 80% 16% 4%
Consecration of public places and buildings 76% 20% 4%
Priests appearing on the public television 74% 22% 4%
Church pronouncements on the moral and lifestyle issues 61% 33% 6%
Church pronouncements on parliamentary legislation process 39% 55% 6%
Priests instructing citizens on how to vote in elections 15% 82% 3%

Results from a more recent survey do not differ significantly "God’s and Caesar’s. Relations between the State and Church(es)", Polish Public Opinion 48, 2015 (full report in Polish).

Church pronouncements on moral and lifestyle issues are more controversial; however, approval prevails (61%). Moral teaching of the Church offends the majority of people who do not practice religion (52%), almost half of people who go to church incidentally (46%), as well as a significant proportion of supporters of the political left wing (45%).

The majority of respondents reject Church influence on politics: expressing views on legislation (55%), and, especially, priests giving instructions how to vote (82%). Even the most religious respondents, such as people attending service several times a week (54%) and supporters of political right wing (76%) oppose priests advising citizens on voting behaviour.
In the last 18 years, the opinions about the public presence of the Church have remained stable, in spite of some context-dependent fluctuation. However, Church pronouncements on moral issues and lifestyle have become increasingly unacceptable for the public opinion

Source: "Religion and the Church in public space", Polish Public Opinion December 2013.
More information about this topic can be found in CBOS report in Polish: "Religion and the Church in public space", Polish public opinion, 170, December 2013.

Presence of the cross in the Lower Chamber (Sejm)

While nine-tenths approve of a crucifix in public buildings, its presence in Sejm is accepted by 56% of respondents.

Response Should there be a crucifix in the Lower Chamber (Sejm)?
yes 56%
no 20%
Don’ care either way 22%
Don’t know 2%

Source: "Religion and the Church in public space", Polish Public Opinion December 2013.
More information about this topic can be found in CBOS report in Polish: "Religion and the Church in public space", Polish public opinion, 170, December 2013.

Presence of the cross in the classrooms

While nine-tenths approve of a crucifix in public buildings, its presence in Sejm is accepted by 56% of respondents. Its acceptance in schoolrooms is slightly higher, at 62%.

Response Should there be crucifixes in the classrooms?
yes 62%
no 20%
Don’t care either way 16%
Don’t know 2%

Source: "Religion and the Church in public space", Polish Public Opinion December 2013.
More information about this topic can be found in CBOS report in Polish: "Religion and the Church in public space", Polish public opinion, 170, December 2013.

Presence of the crucifix in public space – violation of the freedom of non-believers

Sometimes the argument is invoked that the crucifix in public space violates the freedom of non-believers. This opinion is rejected by 60% of respondents, while one-third (33%) agree that it may indeed be the case.

Response Does putting a crucifix in the public space (e.g. in classroom) violate the freedom of the non-believers?
Yes 33%
No 60%
Don’t know 7%

Source: "Religion and the Church in public space", Polish Public Opinion December 2013.
More information about this topic can be found in CBOS report in Polish: "Religion and the Church in public space", Polish public opinion, 170, December 2013.

D 29 June 2016    AMichał Zawiślak

CNRS Unistra Dres Gsrl

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