Atheist Etiquette at a Religious Service?

[ieyeasu]

I, at the tender (or so I've been told) age of seventeen, have the oppurtunity to spend two weeks in France this summer. Boy, am I pumped! I'm a history nut, so Paris promises lots of fun.

Here's the bit I'm a bit nervous about though: One of the two weeks will be spent with a real, live, breathing French family. Knowing the religious statistics of France, I'm betting that they'll be Catholic. And one week will of course entail a Sunday. So the likelyhood is that I'll be stepping inside a Catholic Church.

This alone doesn't make me nervous. (Ok, a little nervous. I'm afraid that the Atheist alarm might go off, and I'll burst into flames). Infact, I am kind of interested in seeing a service. But the idea of communion does shiver me timbers a bit. Do I go up, or sit down, or what?

Thank you for your advice in advance.

[Bree]

In my opinion (for what it's worth), I would politely refrain from participating in any way whatsoever, especially since you have no idea what kind of situation you might be stepping into. Some people are very touchy on the subject and don't want "outsiders" participating in their holy and sacred ceremonies. When I've attended Catholic services, I've just sat quietly in the pew whilst everyone else kneels/stands/sits and receives Communion. However, polite questions about why certain things are done et cetera don't seem out of line; you can use the opportunity to learn more about the Church.

[seebs]

Originally posted by ieyeasu

This alone doesn't make me nervous. (Ok, a little nervous. I'm afraid that the Atheist alarm might go off, and I'll burst into flames). Infact, I am kind of interested in seeing a service. But the idea of communion does shiver me timbers a bit. Do I go up, or sit down, or what?

Thank you for your advice in advance.

You stay sitting down, canonically. It's considered rude to go for communion if you aren't Catholic. (The exact rules vary, but I think they feel the same way about Protestants doing communion.) No one has any grounds being offended if you don't take communion; there are plenty of reasons not to, even if you're not out of the closet. For instance, you could say (probably truthfully) that you haven't been to confession in a while. :)

Disclaimer: I'm not Catholic, and I could be wrong, but someone asked a very similar question on ChristianForums a while back, and this was my understanding of the answer.

[ieyeasu]

Thanks, Bree, Seebs.

I suppose I'll just stay in the pew.:)

[Never]

I've been to a few Catholic services with friends when I was younger and I just stayed in the pew. I'd just say "I'm not Catholic". They will probably just assume that you are Protestant as would be expected from an American.
One of the coolest things I did in London was go to St Paul's. They were having a choir singing at the time and the place and the music were beautiful. You didn't need to believe to appreciate it.

[kwigibo]

There should be no problem not taking communion, happens all the time, just keep your knees tucked in so others can pass. I stopped taking communion when i was 12 (unless i was really thirsty), so i would just sit there when i couldn't get out of going all together. And I always brought a book when we had school mass, although they may frown on that.

That said, unless you've been told they attend church weekly, i think the likelihood of it is much lower than you may think, even if they are practicing catholics. Not to mention, i'm not sure host families are supposed to take you to religious services unless you're interested in going. My family has hosted countless foriegn students, and they're never obliged to go anywhere unless they're too young too be left unattended.

[Miss Piggy]

I think reading a book in the church would be considered impolite, so don't do that :)

You will be a guest in that family, not their child. So probably they'll accept that you don't follow their religion.

I've heard that France is a rather secularized country. And I think that big cities like Paris are especially secular.

[Autonemesis]

"Pardon me, I have to puke."

That's about as polite as I could be at a religious service. So I don't go. :)

[ZiprHead]

The wine would probably be real good.;)

[LLaurieG]

(Laurie) Stay in the pew; you're not a candidate for communion. But what a great opportunity for some international religious observation! The Church is an institution: take advantage of this rare opportunity to "observe the enemy" at close range. Take mental snapshots; note everything! Be polite and respectful, but ask LOTS of questions. And congratulations on your trip - sounds like a blast!

[mac_philo]

You do not take Communion. Every mass I've ever been to had many people who didn't take communion. Nobody cares or asks. Even some catholics don't take it (if they're in a state of sin w/out having yet confessed) or are not allowed to take it (if they were divorced and remarried).

Catholic services are probably the most impressive, from an aesthetic/tourist/secular point of view. Lots of pageantry. Just enjoy it!

[Ensign Steve]

I think not taking the communion is the easy part. There are several people who stay in their pew, and don't get up, and nobody has to state their reason.

What gets me is the sit-kneel-stand-kneel thing (I sat the entire time) and the not crossing myself when I entered the church. I don't bow when I enter a dojo, either. Miss manners says that we are not to bow or curtsey to foreign royalty. I wonder what her stance is on this? Where they got me was that "Peace be with you" shit. I had no idea what was going on. I could have killed the person who took me in there without giving me any idea what to expect. I've only been on one mass that I can remember, and I was scared shitless the entire time.

[Talulah]

I have been to a Catholic Mass once. I was still a [nominal, almost devoncerted] Christian at the time, and I remember vividly how utterly stupid I felt kneeling during the service. I was afraid of being singled out, but I stopped after the first time and just sat in the pew. The person I was with (a Catholic) also told me that non-Catholics aren't supposed to take communion. And it was just as well, I wouldn't have known what to do, though I was curious.

I thought the whole thing was stupid, though interesting. It did have aestethic value, but I think that service was pretty squarely on the path of my deconversion. The whole thing reeked of fakeness to me.

[8of9]

Originally posted by Ensign Steve
What gets me is the sit-kneel-stand-kneel thing (I sat the entire time) and the not crossing myself when I entered the church.
...
Where they got me was that "Peace be with you" shit. I had no idea what was going on. I could have killed the person who took me in there without giving me any idea what to expect. I've only been on one mass that I can remember, and I was scared shitless the entire time.
Sitting throughout is a good option - with optional standing for the standing parts. No point in kneeling if you're not interested in praying. Oh, yeah, the "kiss of peace" -- that's a doozie for an outsider. Get an explanation on that before you decide to go. It's the only part where everyone assuming you will participate can be awkward.

As an ex-catholic, I only go to mass for weddings and funerals now. And it gets weirder the further I get from my believing days.

[Shake]

Originally posted by Never
I've been to a few Catholic services with friends when I was younger and I just stayed in the pew. I'd just say "I'm not Catholic". They will probably just assume that you are Protestant as would be expected from an American.
One of the coolest things I did in London was go to St Paul's. They were having a choir singing at the time and the place and the music were beautiful. You didn't need to believe to appreciate it. I'd consider going just for the architecture! The US is so blah in comparison (well, we have some nice buildings), nothing like in Europe (so I understand). I am fond of cathedrals and the like simply for the architecture. I went to the wedding of some friends here in the states (Charleston, SC) at a beautiful Catholic Church! Of course, lately the irony of how much these buildings have cost the church with all of their extravagence has gotten to me. Think of all the people they could have helped instead! Oh well, don't get me started on the Catholics!

[Farren]

Iyeasu

I know a few french ppl and its doubtful you'll come within a mile of Catholic church. The religious statistics are misleading. I have this from the mouth of the horse and half a dozen travellers.

The french by and large see "Catholicism" as an ethnic definition: My grandparents were catholic so I suppose I am. Most "Catholics" there are athiests or have weak supernatural beliefs and don't attend church except for funerals and weddings. This is a country with lots of unisex public toilets, for chrissakes!

If you do, however, have to attend a mass (I was raised a Catholic), there's lots of standing up, then sitting down, then kneeling and so on. Its considered bad form to take communion if you aren't confirmed or had your First Holy Communion or something, I can't remember exactly.

My advice, if you're put in this situation, play nice. The respect atheists are accorded is proportional to the respect they show for others and their beliefs. Its not necessarily the same as endorsing the belief. So stand when everyone stands, sit when everyone sits, and kneel, close your eyes and think about sex or something when everyone kneels.


:D

[Loki]

Uh, lesse.

Don't go up for communion. It'd be wrong in many ways. Just stay sitting.

Other than that, do what everyone else does with their body as far as the sit stand kneel routine goes. It's just easier, cause if you stay sitting in a kneeling church, you get someone's hands in your back. It's also considered incorrect to sit before the eucharist's back in the tabernacle, if my memory serves.

For peace, typically it's just shaking the hands of people near you and saying "Peace be with you" or in my case, "Peace." (I refrain from flashing the peace sign :)

Don't worry about hand movements; there's some such as the sign of the cross and that thingy that's done before the gospel reading. Just stand there instead.

Sing! It's fun to sing!

Don't worry about not knowing the responses, though you might be able to have the family point out where in the hymnals the text is so you can follow along, or if they have a missal, you can read through that. This is assuming french hymnals are the same as american ones, with the readings and so forth.

But...

Europe tends to be much less religious than America, so it's unlikely you'll have to attend any religious service.

But if you do, just enjoy the music and architecture.

Damn. I've really got to work on losing this Catholic accent.

[freemonkey]

Whenever I find myself in a church (and it's been many, many years since I have), I try to sit in the back pew. That way I have less chance of being noticed, except by folks who aren't paying attention to the proceedings. And I can slip out if I need to.

I am not catholic, never have been, but my step-grandmother was. I remember her taking us to church when I was a kid, and she had us take communion. And at xian holiday meals, she would pass around a wafer for us to break and eat.

[Kintaro]

I can tell you from experience (since I am from Quebec) that in a french catholic church, you absolutely do NOT go up if you are an atheist or even weak-in-faith. I got up when the others did, not for the sake of form, but the pews really hurt your assbones when you have no fat cushion. And during singing time, I just randomly opened my mouth to fake it, prayer time, EYES OPEN, on the seat, run a random Rammstein song in your head. Like Du Hast :P .

As as Quebec is, I can't give a digit for religion in France, but the same secular feel is there. (Quebec is 80 % "Catholic" , less than 4% go to church. Avg. age of church-goer = 45. Fundies tried to use that to their advantage to convert in Quebec and it flopped in their face. I think they even documented it)


"I'm Catholic but I don't really practice anymore"
*Okay then, do you believe in God ?*
"Nah."

Typical portrait. Not to be used as a stereotype, but this situation is very common.


And I will always hate my stepmother for bringing me to church. Moral values my ass. If she was too lazy to teach them, it sure ain't in church that I would.

[McDiggy]

If you ever go to a Pentecostal chuch, the bit where they start babling nothingness ISN'T a comedy sketch! Appearently the phonetic "auck-jah-ra-two-wap-fanah-rumulous" means *something*. Don't start laughing. They aren't trying to be funny. They don't like that. Believe me, I know from experience. But, honestly, they should have warned me first....

[dunadan]

Gee, shouldn't we get at least one 'piss in the baptismal pool and shit on the alter' type reply for this one?

[Treacle Worshipper]

I spent six months in France as part of my degree...

As a lot of people have said, you don't go up for communion. The priest can get into trouble for giving it to someone who is not a catholic. I used to attend mass on occasion in my protestant xian days, and I never took communion. I used to go up to be blessed, which anyone can do, but I don't suppose you'll want to.

Apart from that, don't worrying about the whole genuflecting/crossing yourself thing; nobody will mind if you don't do it, just be respectful in your posture.

It's easier to do the stand/sit/kneel thing, because it means you get to move around a bit, which is nice on hard wooden pews.

In France, the kiss of peace is very likely to be a kiss, but a handshake is acceptable. (These are people who kiss each other to say hello, remember.) Don't get too freaked out if you get grabbed :) It might be someone good-looking, which is always a bonus :p

Finally, France is a very secular country. Even if your hosts are nominally catholic, the chances are that you will be given the option of staying home from church. I stayed with active catholics the first week I was in France, and they assumed that I would not go to mass with them 'cos I was a protestant.

I hope you have a great trip.
TW

[ieyeasu]

Thank you folks! Its been very enlightening, and I've learned a bit about both Catholicism and the French.

[Sagarmatha]

Don't worry about religiounism in a secular European country like France. Though the statistic shows that most people are catholics, it is only an official number, especially in big European cities. People do only religious ceremonies for birth, marriage and death.
I live in Belgium and can assure you that most churches here are almost empty on Sundays, and also on 'x-tian days'. The few people who do come to masses are usually from the old generation.

[ohwilleke]

I echo the thought that your premise that a Catholic family will probably go to church on Sunday is probably false. France has lots of Catholics, and very low church attendance.

In addition to to not taking communion, that other thing that a really honest atheist would not do in a Catholic mass is join in the recital of the creed. (I believe in one God . . . .)

Most host families are sensitive to the fact that you may have a different religious orientation than you do, and would be unlikely to simply assume that you would go, even if they did, unless you wore a crucifix or otherwise represented yourself as Catholic.

[shome42]

Originally posted by Farren
So stand when everyone stands, sit when everyone sits, and kneel, close your eyes and think about sex or something when everyone kneels.


:D

HA! Thanks for reminding me of my school days attending mass every week...Let me tell you, while thinking of sex during church helps to pass the time, it can lead to, shall we say, "embarrasing consequences" (for men anyway). :p

[cliff999]

I've tried attending a unitarian service the past couple of weeks. My wife missed the days at her old church (Congregational, which they do not have here), so I thought we'd try that as a compromise. They don't mention any strict belief in any deity or do any praying, but I still coudn't get past the trappings of a traditional church, such as hymns, benedictions and sermons. The hymns were especially tepid, featuring dopey lyrics and an organist who would have been right at home on tour with Spinal Tap. They claim they'll have gathering after the service on May 4th to explain what they are, so we may go to that one. Then again, maybe not. I may be too far gone to feel comfortable in anything resembling a traditional church.

My last appearance at a traditional church was at my Mother's funeral in 1994. I avoided kneeling, praying, singing and passed on the communion ritual, feeling extremely uncomfortable throughout the entire ordeal. I did read the eulogy, but since I wrote it, there wasn't any mention of any deity. Anyone who feels as strongly as I do has my sympathies if they have to attend some kind of service.

[Shake]

Originally posted by Farren
My advice, if you're put in this situation, play nice. The respect atheists are accorded is proportional to the respect they show for others and their beliefs. Its not necessarily the same as endorsing the belief. So stand when everyone stands, sit when everyone sits, and kneel, close your eyes and think about sex or something when everyone kneels.


:D Yeah, try to find someone attractive to sit behind, and if they do a prayer while your standing, you can lower your head, as if respectfully, and check out the derriere of said person! (just keep your ears open to avoid an embarrassing situation) :D

[Jolimont]

The chances of you being in a practicing French Catholic family are very slim. You are correct that your hosts will likely be Catholics, but they probably don't attend much themselves, and if they do, others have given you lots of good suggestions on how to handle it gracefully. France is extremely secular, you should be right at home as a skeptic. Have fun over there, that's a really great opportunity you're getting, man!

PS: I was born and raised in France, feel free to ask questions if you have any!

[trekbette]

My husband and i were suckered into being a close friends child's godparents. (I say suckered because we found out at 10 the night before they needed us in church at 8 the next morning. We called and told them I am an atheist. He insisted that the act of us standing up with him and his son was all that was required (we were the only ones from his side that came).

I was on my best behavior. The only problem came with the preacher insisted I had to read a certain section in the bible. I said no, thank you. She didn't get it at first and pointed again, "you need to read from here." Again I said no, thank you. I had to say no once more and was not as polite about it. She got the hint and moved on. I stood when everyone stood. I did not chant or sing or speak along. I stood quietly in a corner until I could leave.

I don't think the mother was very happy with me, but our friend (the father of the baby) was happy we showed up and very apologetic for putting me in an uncomfortable situation.

[CX]

Originally posted by ieyeasu
I, at the tender (or so I've been told) age of seventeen, have the oppurtunity to spend two weeks in France this summer. Boy, am I pumped! I'm a history nut, so Paris promises lots of fun.

Here's the bit I'm a bit nervous about though: One of the two weeks will be spent with a real, live, breathing French family. Knowing the religious statistics of France, I'm betting that they'll be Catholic. And one week will of course entail a Sunday. So the likelyhood is that I'll be stepping inside a Catholic Church.

This alone doesn't make me nervous. (Ok, a little nervous. I'm afraid that the Atheist alarm might go off, and I'll burst into flames). Infact, I am kind of interested in seeing a service. But the idea of communion does shiver me timbers a bit. Do I go up, or sit down, or what?

Thank you for your advice in advance.

If you've never been, go. Catholic services are fascinating. That being said, non-Catholics are not allowed to take communion in the Catholic church. When that time comes either remain in your seat or go up to the altar and cross your arms across your chest when they come by with the wine and host. You'll get a spiffy little blessing and be on your way.

Personally, I think every Western nonbeliever should attend at Catholic service, a Protestant service, a Jewish service, and a Muslim service at least once.

[CX]

Originally posted by cliff999
My last appearance at a traditional church was at my Mother's funeral in 1994. I avoided kneeling, praying, singing and passed on the communion ritual, feeling extremely uncomfortable throughout the entire ordeal. I did read the eulogy, but since I wrote it, there wasn't any mention of any deity. Anyone who feels as strongly as I do has my sympathies if they have to attend some kind of service.

I have to admit I am always somewhat bemused by this attitude of my fellow heathens. Of all the atheists in the world I'm probably one of the athiest, but I never have any difficulty with other people's religious rituals. I was a participant in my father's ordination ceremony which I found to be both fascinating and moving. I took communion, I sang the hymns and everything. Since the rituals are entirely devoid of meaning to me why would I feel otherwise? Would you feel as strongly at say a Jewish service? Or a buddhist? To me such rituals always seem quaint and a fascinating look at human belief and practices. Just wondering.

[ieyeasu]

Originally posted by Shake
Yeah, try to find someone attractive to sit behind, and if they do a prayer while your standing, you can lower your head, as if respectfully, and check out the derriere of said person! (just keep your ears open to avoid an embarrassing situation) :D

Wow. Attractive French women in a Catholic church.
All kinds of wrong. I like it.

Originally posted by CX
If you've never been, go. Catholic services are fascinating.

Yeah, I've always been interested in pomp and circumstance in religion; so the prospect isn't so scary for me as conceivably uncomfortable. But, according to the reactions of people here, it seems as if I don't have anything to worry about.

Jolimont--The other big worry I have is coming off as a "stupid American". Any tips as to avoid this? I've been practicing how to *really* use a knife and fork, and I've heard that it is generally appreciated if one attempts to use French, but are there other things I ought to be aware of?

(edited because coding is hard at 1AM)

[azazel]

You cannot drink consecrated wine except on special occassions, and these vary from culture to culture. Though, for the sake of bouncing a stereotype around, the wine-loving fFrench may just do that. If so, fuck offending them, free alcohol! Just be sure to stand when they stand, sit when they sit, etc. Aside from that it's easy to pass off as Catholic.

[LogicMage]

First, if you dont want to go to church...dont. Europe is liberal enough tht you probably will not offend them.

If you do go, just sit, and enjoy the ceremony.

I am going to Germany next year of a month as an exchange student...I will run into the same problems.

[tommorris]

(Old thread, sorry to bring it up, I was just searching and had something to say...)

When I was a kid we went to Mass as part of Catholic school (my parents were, and still are, agnostics who probably tick "Christian, I suppose" on the census form, though even that's fading away - I recently heard my mother hold her own fantastically in a discussion arguing that the idea that you need to be religious to be moral is silly).

When we went to Mass, they asked everyone to go up to the altar in a queue. Those who recieved communion held their hands out in a cup (put your hands together as if you were trying to cup water in your hands - a bit like this (http://us.inmagine.com/thumbnails/thinkstock/q0021618/b0008520.jpg), but without whatever they've got in their hands).

All us heathens, atheists, Protestants and don't-give-a-craps put our hands across ourselves. Right arm crossing and touching left shoulder, and left arm touching right shoulder. Those holding their hands out would get blessed and then given a piece of the bread, then sent to the lady with the wine (or lemonade: neither would have surprised me, since there's the whole Jesus Juice allegation thing to take in to account). And those holding their arms up in the 'heathen' position (just kidding) would be blessed, but not given Communion, and then sent back to their seats.

But, then, the last time I went to that was when I was about ten years old. As they say, your mileage may vary.

[epepke]

One of the coolest things I did in London was go to St Paul's. They were having a choir singing at the time and the place and the music were beautiful. You didn't need to believe to appreciate it.

I attended Evensong at St. Paul's. Great experience.

I'd suggest, even to an atheist, to attend as many religious ceremonies as possible. They're fascinating. If you aren't part of the religion, they won't expect you to know what to do, so you can act like you would at a really boring play or something.

[Queen of Swords]

Sitting throughout is a good option - with optional standing for the standing parts. No point in kneeling if you're not interested in praying. Oh, yeah, the "kiss of peace" -- that's a doozie for an outsider.

In the church I used to attend before I deconverted, it was changed to the "sign of peace", where you put your palms together as if you were praying, and then bowed to the person next to you. Maybe kissing would have been too risque.

[Erebus]

I have to admit I am always somewhat bemused by this attitude of my fellow heathens. Of all the atheists in the world I'm probably one of the athiest, but I never have any difficulty with other people's religious rituals. Nor do I, as long as they don't expect me to participate. I was a participant in my father's ordination ceremony which I found to be both fascinating and moving. I took communion, I sang the hymns and everything. Since the rituals are entirely devoid of meaning to me why would I feel otherwise? Because it would make me feel like a hypocrite. Would you feel as strongly at say a Jewish service? Or a buddhist? To me such rituals always seem quaint and a fascinating look at human belief and practices. Just wondering. I would actually, i'm not Jewish nor a buddhist.

[tommorris]

In the church I used to attend before I deconverted, it was changed to the "sign of peace", where you put your palms together as if you were praying, and then bowed to the person next to you. Maybe kissing would have been too risque.

Perhaps they could change it so you have to 'shake your booty' at the person next to you. Risque? Yes. But it would get the punters in.

Oh, wait, just trying to think of who goes to church... no, that would put more people off.

[Koiyotnik]

I think not taking the communion is the easy part. There are several people who stay in their pew, and don't get up, and nobody has to state their reason.

What gets me is the sit-kneel-stand-kneel thing (I sat the entire time) and the not crossing myself when I entered the church. I don't bow when I enter a dojo, either. Miss manners says that we are not to bow or curtsey to foreign royalty. I wonder what her stance is on this? Where they got me was that "Peace be with you" shit. I had no idea what was going on. I could have killed the person who took me in there without giving me any idea what to expect. I've only been on one mass that I can remember, and I was scared shitless the entire time.

Oh man, you've dredged up memories that I've buried from only a week ago of attending a Catholic mass.

I had just met my boyfriend's family that Saturday. At the end of the night, he comes up to me...
"Justine, you're going to be angry with me."
"Why?"
"Cause I told my parents that you'd go with us to mass tomorrow morning."
"Uh... sure, I'll go, I guess."
(side note: he was born in Canada, the rest of his family straight from Portugual. So, pretty devout Catholics)

So Sunday comes and I'm terrified. I've been to church only twice, once for my uncle's funeral, and once for my mother's funeral. I had never attended a mass service.

To make it even better, Steve, the bf, is a Eucharistic minister (or.. whatever it is). So I got to sit with his mother and father for most of the service while he was off doing Jesus-y stuff. The first time they all knelt, I was the ONLY one sitting. So, the second and third and so on, I knelt, just so it didn't look so odd.

But then I was hit up with the peace-be-with-you bit. The look of confusion on my face must have triggered Steve into quickly taking my hand and shaking it for a bit longer than necessary so I could pick up on the whole routine. I survived.

Then there was the part where the minister walked around and flicked holy water at us right before communion. I thought about making a big scene when some landed on my arm but thankfully did a quick turnabout on that option. I don't think people would have appreciated it, as much as I giggled to myself in my head over it.

For my own future reference: Stand, sit, and kneel, don't shout out, and just follow the crowd. Except for the communion part.

[French Prometheus]

Here's the bit I'm a bit nervous about though: One of the two weeks will be spent with a real, live, breathing French family. Knowing the religious statistics of France, I'm betting that they'll be Catholic. And one week will of course entail a Sunday. So the likelyhood is that I'll be stepping inside a Catholic Church.
In this lengthy survey on the beliefs of the French (http://medias.lemonde.fr/medias/pdf_obj/sondage030416.pdf), we get these results (my translation):

*Note: these are just excerpts, many other questions were asked*

Have you ever had the feeling that you were in contact with something supernatural?
- very often: 2%
- rather often: 5%
- rarely: 19%
- never: 73%

Do you believe that prayers are fulfilled?
- yes, absolutely: 15%
- rather yes: 31%
- no, not at all: 53%
- no opinion: 1%

Do you believe in miracles?
- yes, absolutely: 12%
- rather yes: 30%
- no, not at all: 58%

Nowadays, each individual must define his own religion independently from churches. Do you agree?
- I agree completely: 51%
- I rather agree: 26%
- I rather disagree: 7%
- I disagree completely: 14%
- no opinion: 2%

What do you think there is after death?
- nothing: 39%
- something but I don't know what it is: 33%
- immortality of the soul: 16%
- reincarnation in another living creature: 6%
- bodily resurrection: 4%
- no opinion: 2%

God's existence is:
- certain: 24%
- likely: 34%
- unlikely: 19%
- impossible: 22%

Do you believe in hell?
- yes, absolutely: 13%
- rather yes: 12%
- rather no: 7%
- absolutely not: 67%

What is your religion? (NB: it's interesting to compare this with the question on God's existence)
- Catholic: 62%
- Muslim: 6%
- Protestant: 2%
- Jewish: 1%
- Other: 2%
- No religion: 26%
- No opinion: 1%

Do you sometimes pray?
- everyday: 11%
- often: 14%
- rarely: 23%
- never: 51%
- no opinion: 1%

How often do you go to a religious service?
- several times a week: 3%
- once a week: 9%
- once or twice a month: 7%
- sometimes on particular religious celebrations: 24%
- only on baptizings, weddings and/or funerals: 47%
- never: 10%

So unless someone is getting married or buried in your host family, there's very little chance you'll attend a church service. The previous figures are for the whole country. Some parts of France like Brittany or Vendée are still very Catholic. Large cities (especially Paris) are the most secular places. In conclusion, it's safe to say that you won't go to church.

There are many "cultural Catholics" who self-identify as Catholics but are in fact atheists/agnostics/deists.

A piece of advice on this issue: it's normally considered bad form in France to talk about one's religious convictions. They're private (like your sex life). People rarely know the beliefs of their neighbors, colleagues and sometimes even of their friends. So unless your host family starts talking about it, it'd be better to avoid this topic.

[French Prometheus]

The other big worry I have is coming off as a "stupid American". Any tips as to avoid this? I've been practicing how to *really* use a knife and fork, and I've heard that it is generally appreciated if one attempts to use French, but are there other things I ought to be aware of?

Avoid eulogizing the Shrub. ;) That aside, you shouldn't worry too much about it. Just behave normally.

Your host family is likely to be nonreligious, "liberal" (in the American sense of the term) and cosmopolitan (they've met plenty of foreigners and have traveled abroad). This won't necessarily be so but this is the most likely situation.

[braces_for_impact]

I'm afraid that the Atheist alarm might go off, and I'll burst into flames

If you are a sufficiently powerful atheist, you will merely get a mild sunburn, like myself when I attended a Episcopalian funeral. :D

[chapka]

If you've never been, go. Catholic services are fascinating. That being said, non-Catholics are not allowed to take communion in the Catholic church.

Oh, no; nothing related to the Catholic church is ever quite that simple.

Non-Christians and Protestants aren't allowed to take communion in Roman Catholic churches. But members of certain other churches are. For example, the Marionites allow priests to marry and don't recognize the authority of the Pope, but I believe they're considered by the Church to be in "full communion" with Rome and therefore are allowed to take communion, along with a few other Latin rite and Eastern rite churches. There's a complete list in the front of most Catholic missals--along, by the way, with a welcome and instructions to non-Catholics explaining what to do during the mass (sit or stand, shake hands, don't take communion).

Someone better or more recently informed should feel free to correct me...

[fairyhedgehog]

I took communion, I sang the hymns and everything. Since the rituals are entirely devoid of meaning to me why would I feel otherwise?
I know this is picking up an old post, but still ...

I wouldn't take communion, because I think that people would be very offended if they realised that I had taken communion and I don't believe.

But I've just been to a funeral and I joined in with a hymn and the "Lord's Prayer". It all seemed a purely cultural thing to me, and no big deal if I didnt' believe it. I doubted if most of the other people there did either. (Mind you, there were only 6 of us there, but that is another story.)

[crazyfingers]

A google search for "Church attendance rates in France" came back with number of quotes at 21% based on a 1990-1991 survey. The number is likely lower now. And it should be lower still in Paris.

[crazyfingers]

Here is a recent story from the Boston Globe (http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2005/05/02/catholic_church_withers_in_europe?mode=PF)

In France, where 76 percent of the population considers itself Catholic, only 12 percent say they go to church on Sunday, according to Georgetown University's Center for the Study of Global Christianity, and Vatican officials say the percentages attending Mass drop as low as 5 percent in cities, such as Paris.

[crazyfingers]

In this lengthy survey on the beliefs of the French (http://medias.lemonde.fr/medias/pdf_obj/sondage030416.pdf), we get these results (my translation):

*Snip*



Some interesting stuff there. Thanks for translating it.

[French Prometheus]

A google search for "Church attendance rates in France" came back with number of quotes at 21% based on a 1990-1991 survey. The number is likely lower now. And it should be lower still in Paris.
Actually, the same survey (as the one I translated) was carried out in 1994. It's interesting to compare the evolution of beliefs and practices over the past decade. As expected, it shows a decrease in both.

[Stormlight]

What is your religion? (NB: it's interesting to compare this with the question on God's existence)
- Catholic: 62%
- Muslim: 6%
- Protestant: 2%
- Jewish: 1%
- Other: 2%
- No religion: 26%
- No opinion: 1%


It is, but than again being baptized as an infant, most people don't bother to go through all the hassle to leave the RCC. Even I'm still a proud Catholic! :D

Anyway, I'm mildly surprised that the number of Catholics is that low in France. As far as I know, we're still at over 90% here. You damn heathens! :p

[French Prometheus]

It is, but than again being baptized as an infant, most people don't bother to go through all the hassle to leave the RCC. Even I'm still a proud Catholic! :D
Actually, like most people born in the late 70's, I was baptized as an infant out of tradition (my father is a non-practising cultural Catholic and my mother is an atheist). That was my only contact with Catholicism. Since I grew up in a large city (Lyon), religion was completely absent from my environment.

Now, I'm extremely anticlerical and I could have ask the Church to officially rescind my baptism. But it sure would be a lot of hassle for something that means absolutely nothing to me.

Every time the Pope came to France, several French atheist organizations launched a campaign for baptized atheists to get debaptized. You can read more about it here (http://www.courcelle-bruno.nom.fr/Debaptisation.html) and here (http://www.chez.com/vap/) (in French).

Anyway, I'm mildly surprised that the number of Catholics is that low in France. As far as I know, we're still at over 90% here. You damn heathens! :p
That's because you don't know the agenda of the Secret Evil Atheistic French Unbelievers' Conspirational Kibboutz (a.k.a. S.E.A.F.U.C.K.).

Step 1: Ban ostentatious religious signs in French public schools.
Step 2:...
Step 3: The population of the whole world will only be made up of French-speaking baguette-toting atheists. :Cheeky:


There's a reference to a South Park episode hidden somewhere. I'll give a magic invisible brownie to the first who finds it.

[chapka]

There's a reference to a South Park episode hidden somewhere. I'll give a magic invisible brownie to the first who finds it.

I'd take a guess, but first I have to figure out who stole my underpants...

[kaelcarp]

I am reminded of when my Aunt June died. She had a small Catholic or Episcopal (I don't remember) ceremony. When the time came to go up to the casket and pray, I didn't. My mother was annoyed and said I should respect her religion. I said I was respecting her religion by not faking it. What better way is there to mock someone's religion than to go through the motions of it as if you care?

[French Prometheus]

I'd take a guess, but first I have to figure out who stole my underpants...
OK, you win. The magic invisible brownie will be on your desk tomorrow morning. :)