Croatia in Shock: Fewer Believers, More Non-Believers!
Have you noticed? Croatia, a country deeply rooted in Catholic tradition, is slowly but surely changing its face. Forget the official numbers claiming that 79% of the population is Catholic. The real truth is very different and way more interesting!
Believers on the Decline
According to recent studies, the number of people identifying as Catholics is rapidly decreasing. While the census still shows a high percentage, surveys and online discussions reveal a different reality. Only about 14.2% consider themselves firmly believing Catholics, while around 69.3% can be called believers — significantly less than previous estimates.
Non-Believers on the Rise
Non-believers, atheists, agnostics, and those indifferent to religion now make up about 22.7% of the population! That’s nearly a quarter of Croatia! The internet, free access to information, and critical thinking among the youth are leading more people to reject traditional religious dogmas.
Church in Trouble
The Catholic Church in Croatia has not been immune to this trend. Scandals like pedophilia cases and the lavish lifestyle of church dignitaries have further eroded believers’ trust. Moreover, excessive church involvement in politics has only pushed young and skeptical people away from church pews.
What Lies Ahead?
Will Croatia one day become a country where atheists are the majority, like in the Czech Republic or Sweden? It’s possible! Young people increasingly choose to identify as neither believers nor non-believers but as non-religious, meaning religion will become just a part of cultural history rather than everyday life.
The Internet: A Double-Edged Sword
The internet has revolutionized access to information, but it’s not all rosy. While it enables critical thinking, young people are bombarded with short, often meaningless content from TikTok and similar platforms, which can lead to indifference towards deep topics, including religion.
Conclusion
Croatia stands at a crossroads. Will it keep its deep Catholic traditions or turn to secularism and modern thinking? One thing is clear — the number of believers is falling, and non-believers are rising. This is not a passing trend but a long-term change that will shape society in the years to come.
And you? Are you still a believer, a skeptic, or somewhere in between? Take a peek at the comments and see how many of us are on this side. Or maybe you have your own take? Don’t be shy, share it — let the voice of reason or faith be heard, whichever suits you best!
Source: Index.hr and Promocija Plus surveys for RTL
