This guide explores the rich and diverse religious landscape of Europe, highlighting the various faith traditions that coexist and interact within this multicultural continent. Europe is home to a wide array of religions, including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and indigenous spiritual practices, each contributing to the continent's cultural fabric and social dynamics.
Christianity, the predominant religion, has deep historical roots in Europe, with major branches including Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, and Eastern Orthodoxy. Countries such as Italy, Spain, and Poland are known for their strong Catholic traditions, while Northern Europe has a significant Protestant presence. In contrast, Eastern Orthodox Christianity is primarily practiced in countries like Greece, Russia, and Serbia.
Islam is the second-largest religion in Europe, with significant communities in countries such as Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, and parts of Western Europe, particularly in urban areas. The presence of Islam reflects centuries of historical ties, trade, and migration, especially during the Ottoman Empire.
Judaism also has a rich history in Europe, dating back to ancient times. Jewish communities have made significant cultural contributions, particularly in cities like Paris, Berlin, and London. However, the history of Jews in Europe is marked by periods of persecution, including the Holocaust, which dramatically affected the Jewish population and its cultural heritage.
Buddhism while less prevalent, has gained followers through immigration and cultural exchange, particularly in countries like the UK and France. These religions contribute to the growing recognition of spiritual diversity in Europe.
Hinduism, while also less prevalent, has established communities in Europe due to immigration, especially from South Asia. Countries like the UK have notable Hindu populations, contributing to Europe's growing religious diversity through practices such as temple worship, festivals, and the spread of philosophical teachings.
Understanding the role of religion in Europe is essential for appreciating its historical context and contemporary realities.
Note: These religions are listed in order of their demographic presence in Europe, with Christianity being the largest, followed by Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism.
The ATLA Religion Database is a comprehensive database designed to support religious and theological scholarship in graduate education and faculty research. The file contains citations from international titles and 13,000 multi-author works in and related to the field of religion. It also includes a full range of index citations to journal articles, essays in multi-author works, book reviews, and Doctor of Ministry projects from ATLA's print indexes: Religion Index One (RIO), Religion Index Two (RIT), and Index to Book Reviews in Religion (IBRR). Though coverage is from 1949 to the present, not all publications began in 1949. Alternate version: ATLA Religion Database with ATLA Serials in the classic EBSCO user interface (best for exporting more than 50 results or combining saved searches).
Alternate version: Index to Jewish Periodicals in the classic EBSCO user interface (best for exporting more than 50 results or combining saved searches). This database provides a comprehensive guide to English-language articles, book reviews, and feature stories in more than 160 journals devoted to Jewish affairs. Titles include Contemporary Jewry, Holy Land Studies, Jewish Culture & History, Journal of Palestine Studies, Studies in American Jewish Literature, and many more. Most references are not found in standard periodical literature guides. Index to Jewish Periodicals is intended for students of Jewish thought and others interested in contemporary Jewish and Middle Eastern affairs. Journal coverage dates back as far as 1988.
Alternate version: Index Islamicus in the classic EBSCO user interface (best for exporting more than 50 results or combining saved searches). Index to literature on Islam, the Middle East and Muslim areas of Asia and Africa, and Muslim minorities elsewhere. Includes citations to over 2,000 journals, conference proceedings, monographs, and book reviews from 1906 to present.