Job Discussion Forums

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

Are any of the Poles atheists or otherwise non-religious? I'm interested in the country but am rather put off by religiosity.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

You may want to skip slightly south to the Czech Rep. Athiesm is the most-professed sentiment there.

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

Thanks, excellent advice.

phantombedwetter · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 11:21 am Post subject:

Why's it a big deal?
No one is going to question you on your religion in the classroom.

"Could you explain the difference between the present perfect and past simple please?"
"And at the same time please recite Matthew 10, psalm 6, or I'll gouge your eyes out with a crucifix."

Seriously though, I went to 4 weddings over the summer, all professional people in their late twenties/early thirties and only one had a church service, all the rest were in local council buildings.

Religion is no big deal in the cities. (Note I said in the cities).

Anyway, isn't part of the fun of this job seeing how other cultures exist?
What do you expect, some old babcia to hold you down and perform some sort of exorcism?

Richfilth · Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Posts: 225 Location: Warszawa

as liberal as phantom likes to make the place out, there is still a hardcore older generation who follow their interpretation of the Bible rigidly, and thinks like unmarried couples living together, kids born out of wedlock or open criticism of the Church are not tolerated by some, even in Warsaw.

Lets not forget the League of Polish Families alarming rise to power in the last two years (thankfully terminated now) but Catholic feelings still remain high.

You'll find atheists and agnostics, certainly, but it'll be quite a few years before Radio Maryja shuts down.

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

Well, historically, a jew should have his suitcase at the ready. But more to the point here, speaking as an atheist, although some religious people can be quite sweet, the religiosity tends to go with other forms of irrationality (new age, alternative thisandthat, psychoanalysis), and I think there's something a touch lacking about it. And, bottom line, if I was to have another longterm relationship, I'd want it to be a with a truly rational person.

phantombedwetter · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:34 pm Post subject:

ecocks · Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 899 Location: Gdansk, Poland

Isn't Prague where that big statue of Jan Hus sits in the Old Town Square?

Sort of ironic that CZ is represented as more atheistic, don't you think?

For those that don't know, Hus was a forerunner and, some say, prophet with regard to Martin Luther and the Reformation movement. He was burned at the stake in Constance, Germany a few hundred years ago, despite having a safe-conduct guarantee from Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund (Wenceslaus' brother, as in Wneceslaus Square in Prague).

The Czech's think pretty highly of him in modern days and the Church later (MUCH later) offered an apology.

Food for thought if you are at all nervous about that whole atheist/heretic thing....

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

Firstly, I'll respond to this nasty little rant, as quickly as possible:
"
Let me re-phrase his post:
"Are Polish girls easy to get into bed?"
Pathetic!
"

I've seen this before, when other people have had the honesty to mention relationships. Look, as I said, I have not enjoyed relationships with religious types. Indeed, my desire to avoid religious types - thus making it more likely that I would look at the Czech Republic rather than Poland- rather undermines your neat slogan of a summary.

Sure, if I was coming out with sexist nonsense or pornographic abuse, then maybe your jumping up and down would be justified. As there is no evidence that I'm a philanderer, I question your motivation for such an intolerant attack.

Moving to a more reasonable reference. Point taken re Hus, but he is nevertheless a historical figure. Britain could be represented by a range of figures, from Henry VIII to Rabbi Blue: which if any is representative of modern Brits in general?

dynow · Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 1080

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

"Why?"
I have been to Russia rather a lot. Since my return, I've made a lot Polish friends and have taught several Polish students. They've rather impressed me as a whole. Also, I gather that the country itself is rather beautiful. I have also studied some Polish history: the era of the Polish partitions was the strongest part of my A level repertoir. Also, not being a great linguist, the similarities with Russian might help me to speak Polish with a bit more ease then otherwise (or might confuse me). Hope that helps.