That is a really interesting situation. I wonder what's it like in other places, as well. I'll tell you about central Europe just for a comparison. I hope admins will allow us to compare different cultures when we don't have any intention to preach or gossip.
So in my country, about 70% people are Christian but generally no one talks about it. It's absolutely unacceptable to talk about it at work. You can say oh I went to church or my baby is going to be baptised, that's OK. But if someone tried to preach at a workplace, the colleagues would show him very clearly it's not tolerated.
Also as a teacher, unless you teach religious education (which is optional) you're not allowed to discuss religion in the class.
There are some villages in the north of my country with about 90-95% catholic population. There you might hear some comments. I've been in a church in one such village and even there many people didn't participate in the communion. I think it has to do with humility and people here tend to feel more guilty for things they do so they don't dare to commit sacrilege. No one said anything to them it was seen as normal and something very intimate that you don't question.
I myself have attended catholic churches in various places in my country and neighbouring countries and didn't participate most of the time. No one ever said anything, as there were plenty of people who didn't go.
I'd say here many people do believe in Christianity but it's seen as a personal /intimate decision that is rarely discussed. Active evangelisation is very rare. Of course there are always some fanatics but those are exceptions.
|