Credo, ergo sum
Religiousness and the State in Poland
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
Since the partitions of Poland in the 18th century, national and religious identity merged with one another. The construction “Pole = Catholic” was intensified by the Second World War and repression under Communism. Since the collapse of Communism, the position of the church in the Polish state has changed fundamentally. But Polish society remains one of the most religious in Europe. Despite modernisation and globalisation, there is no evidence to suggest Polish life will soon embrace laicism. The high degree of religiousness influences individual morality, social values and social engagement and also supports Polish democracy.
(Osteuropa 11-12/2006, pp. 191–204)