La présence religieuse dans la sphère publique
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.