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See also: Religious denominations in Poland

Jasna Góra Monastery in Częstochowa.

Orthodox Church of The Holy Ghost in Białystok.

Lutheran Jesus Church in Cieszyn.

Religion in Poland has changed throughout centuries of history of Poland (see also historical demography of Poland). Currently most Poles, by far, adhere to the Christian faith, with about 88% belonging to the Roman Catholic Church¹ (according to the official state statistics for year 2006). Catholicism plays an important role in the lives of many Poles and the Roman Catholic Church in Poland enjoys immense social prestige and political influence. ² The church is widely respected by both believers and nonbelievers, who see it as a symbol of Polish heritage and culture.³ The rest of the population consists mainly of Eastern Orthodox (about 506 000), Jehovah's Witnesses (about 220 000) and various Protestant religious minorities (about 159 000, with about 76 000 in the largest Evangelical-Augsburg Church in Poland).⁴

According to the most recent Eurobarometer Poll 2005;⁵

• 80% of Polish citizens responded that "they believe there is a God" (which was the fifth highest result in the European Union).
• 15% answered that "they believe there is some sort of spirit or life force".
• 3% answered that "don't know".
• 2% answered that "they do not believe there is any sort of spirit, God or life force".

In the 16th and 17th centuries, Poland was famous for its unique religious tolerance (see Warsaw Confederation (1573)).

See also

• Roman Catholicism in Poland
• Eastern Orthodoxy in Poland
• Islam in Poland
• Buddhism in Poland
• Hinduism in Poland
• History of the Jews in Poland

References

External links

• (Polish)/(English) Selected religious denominations in Poland, official statistics from 2001 (published in 2003)