Religions in Slovenia

=Religious landscape=

Religious belonging of Slovene citizens according to population censuses 1991 and 2002. [http://www.stat.si/popis2002/en/rezultati_html/OBC-T-06ENG.htm Statistiques Census 2002 "population by religions"]

Religion 1991 (%) 2002 (%) Catholic ……………………………………………………………………………… 71.6 ………… 57.8 Evangelical ……………………………………………………………………… 0.7 ………… 0.8 Other Protestant ………………………………………………………… 0.1 ………… 0.1 Orthodox ……………………………………………………………………………… 2.4 ………… 2.3 Other Christian …………………………………………………………… 0.1 ………… 0.1 Islam ……………………………………………………………………………………… 1.5 ………… 2.4 Jewish …………………………………………………………………………………… 0.0 ………… 0.0 Oriental ……………………………………………………………………………… 0.0 ………… 0.1 Other religion ……………………………………………………………… 0.0 ………… 0.0 Agnostic ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 0.0 Believer but belongs to no religion ……… 0.2 ………… 3.5 Unbeliever, atheist ………………………………………………… 0.4 ………… 10.1 Did not want to reply …………………………………………… 4.2 ………… 15.7 Unknown ………………………………………………………………………………… 14.6 ………… 7.1Source: Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia, Census of Population, Households and Housing, 2002

According to the 1992 Slovene Public Opinion Survey, only 20 % of adult Slovenes believed in a "personal God" (a further 39 % said they believed in "God as an ethereal spirit" or "God as a life force").

In 1997:
* 24 % of the Slovene population believed in the existence of God without any doubts;
* 29 % of adult citizens believed in "the Resurrection";
* 37.5 % of Slovenes believed in Heaven and 24 % in Hell. About half of the respondents (51 %) stated that they are religious in their own personal way; and only 18 % claimed that they are religious in accordance with Church doctrine.An analysis of the results of the international survey known as "Aufbruch der Kirchen" suggests similar conclusions.

Using these data, Niko Toš [ Toš, Niko (1999): (Ne)religioznost Slovencev v primerjavi z drugimi srednje-in vzhodnoevropskimi narodi. In Podobe o cerkvi in religiji (na Slovenskem v 90-ih), edited by N. Toš, pp. 11-80. Ljubljana: FDV - IDV. / (Non)religiosity among Slovenes in Comparison with Other Central and Eastern European Nations. In Church and Religion (in Slovenia in the '90s).] demonstrates (with an extensive analysis of 15 variables measuring three dimensions of religiosity: orthodoxy, belief in God and belief in life after death) that:
* approximately 1/5 (19 %) of the Slovene respondents practice Church religiosity,
* 1/5 (21 %) practice autonomous religiosity,
* 3/5 (60 %) are not religious.

A comparison of the seven Eastern and Central European countries of the survey shows Slovenia (along with the Czech Republic and Hungary) at the lower end of a scale of religiosity, with Poland and Croatia at the upper end (Toš, 1999).

Controversies

From 2000 to 2003, new religious communities had great difficulties to be registered. The new director of the Office for Religious Communities claimed the law didn't allow him to register with correct basis. This, to emphasize the need of making a new law. In June 2003 the crisis reach its paroxysm. The matter has been covered - among other organisations - by Forum 18 [http://forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=80 Slovenia: Pressure mounts on beleaguered senior religious official] . With the help of lawyers, religious communities did break through, and registration started again [http://forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=128 Slovenia: Registration breakthrough for minority faiths] .

New regulation

The draft of the new law has been made by Pr Lovro Sturm (Knight of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta) [http://forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=142 Slovenia: New religion bill will be neutral, drafter insists] . No consequent debate took place around this law. Many discussions, on TV, radio, newspapers, and a majority of people against the way this law is written. Several articles have been changed before it reached the Parliament. But that law has been described by many has poorly written, and unable to settle many issues, opening "Pandora boxes" which are believed to be able to benefit later the dominant Churches.An alternative law was proposed to the parliament by MP Ales Gulic. But the Government of Janes Jansa wanted absolutely to pass its law, and consequently didn't give much chance to the Gulic's proposal, even though professionals found the later text much better, and especially much more in line with the principle of separation between Church and State, which is included into the Slovene Constitution.A large number of articles on the matter, clear and factual, can be found on the web site of a Slovene association named: " [ [http://vox-libera.org.uk/content/category/1/18/48 Vox Libera] ] ".

External links

* [http://www.pfmb.uni-mb.si/sociologija/new_page_76.htm Slovenia: At a Distance from a Perfect Religious Market]

Notes