Religion in Poland

Most of the Polish population is of the Christian faith. The majority identify as Roman

Catholic. The remainder of the population consists of Eastern Orthodox, Jehovahs Witnesses,

and Protestants. Catholicism started from Christianity and the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Christianity spread rapidly throughout the country. Emperor Constantine I made Christianity the

official religion of the Roman Empire in 380 A.D. The other dominant religions in Poland began

the same way as Catholicism. Protestantism began as a reform to the Catholic church and was

started by Martin Luther in Germany.

The role of religion has been strong in Poland for many years. There are many holidays

and practices observed by Poles that have religious meanings. Poland was founded on religious

views. The conversion to Catholicism was originally a political tactic to earn the rest of Europes

support. After the Protestant Reformation, Poland was one of the few remaining Catholic nations

in Europe. The dominance of Catholicism in Poland has shaped its gender roles and also society

over the years.

Poland has many sacred places for religion. Since the dominant religions are all branches

of Christianity, the Holy City of Jerusalem is the most sacred place. Most sacred places of

Christianity have Biblical origins, such as, Bethlehem and Nazareth. Italy holds many religious

places and artifacts because of its vicinity to Rome and Vatican City. Krakow, Poland houses

many different sacred places. For the Jewish population of Poland there are many museums and

synagogues to explore.

There are multiple connections between the government of Poland and religion. Poland

has been a Christian nation for many years. The domination of Catholicism in Poland did not
happen until after World War II. During communism in Poland the government made attempts to

completely eradicate religion from Poland. These attempts were unsuccessful. The fall of

communism was actually helped by Catholicism.

Today religion still plays a major role in Poland. Catholicism still influences the Polish

society and gender roles. Gender roles in Poland are still considered somewhat old-fashioned.

Females are expected to raise children and do the housework while males are required to work

and earn an income. The holidays practiced and observed by Poland are mostly Catholic.
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https://www.lonelyplanet.com/poland/history

Religious denominations in Poland. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Religious_denominations_in_

Poland.html

StayPoland Sp. z o.o. (n.d.). Religion in Poland. Retrieved from

http://www.staypoland.com/poland-religion.htm