Resumen de Évolution des rites religieux dans l'Europe contemporaine. Statistiques et contextes
In the majority of European countries, religious rites which accompany the principal moments of life are declining. But recent figures are very varied. One factor of theses differences is, obviously, the political factor, more precisely, the relations religion/society. Rite remains stronger when the majority religion do not have many rivals, as in Scandinavia or in South Europe, and, of course, when it's power is not disputed, because in this case this religions is part of the national identity. This is even more true in the countries in which religion has contributed to maintain this identity during the periods where States disappeared, like in Greece, Ireland, Poland and Lithuania.
It is impossible, of course, to say how these religious rites will evolve in the years to come. But because their civil rivals are less attractive, even if the religious beliefs and practices continue to diminish, they have nevertheless future.
