Since Brussels is the center of the European Union, it is difficult to write about Belgium and Brussels without writing about Europe as a general entity. Though the city has a flavor of its own that is truly Belgian, a cosmopolitan and continental culture leaks its way in to create a blend that native Bruxellois sometimes resent, but usually count as one of the city's greatest strengths.
The European and continental flavor of the city plays a crucial role in understanding the way that religion interacts with society and politics. One of the classes that I am in now focuses on that very subject: "Statut des cultes et convictions dans l'Union européenne," which in English is "Status of religious systems and convictions in the European Union." Though it is a more academic arena, I find that it helps to contextualize the experiences and things that I see in Brussels. European countries, or at least the nations participating in the European Union, are trying to create a communal identity under which each country can still retain a national identity as well. Therefore, though religion and its official role within the state differs from country to country, one can see collective trends that distinguish the status and treatment of religion in European society from that in American society. Though most European nations, in particular those participating in the European Union, specifically mention religious liberty in their constitutions, the way they carry out that principle is quite different from the United States.
Since I am in Belgium, I am most interested in their particular mode of dealing with religious issues. Belgium currently has religions that are recognized by the state and those that are not. Though Belgium itself is principally Roman Catholic, with Islam as a distant second in popularity, like many other places in Europe, attendance at church is quite low, and those that are openly atheist or secular is much larger. Additionally, in Belgium the way that the government runs their relationship with church groups is through contracts and negotiations with their leaders that allow recognized religions to receive stipends for the salaries and pensions of clerics and compensation for religious education parents may choose for their child. However, secular groups that are philosophical in nature can also be recognized at the same level as these religious groups and thus be eligible to receive similar benefits.
While in America, there is an overarching reference to God in much of popular culture and politics, the idea that there would be explicit privileging of some religions over others or financing of religious education, would seem to many Americans, an affront to the religious liberty of minorities. By contrast, in Belgium, besides perhaps some of the Muslim population, most do not think much about how other people's beliefs or the state's position on religion will affect their lives. In fact, I think that the way that the government treats religion goes largely unnoticed by the majority of the population. Therefore, if someone wants to send his or her children to a religious institution and have the state pay for it, it does not cause much of an uproar.
In America generally religion is more of a salient issue in the lives of the average person, and that is reflected in the way that the government treats it. In fact I have had quite an experience with this here since I am a Theology major. When people ask what I'm studying and I say religion, many assume that since I am an American studying religion I must be very devout. It is certainly a stereotype within Europe, including Belgium, to think that America is very religious. Though I realize that religiosity varies widely within the United States, I think that the stereotype does have some basis in reality. Speaking from my own experience, I am certainly not a religious person now, in faith or in practice, but when I look at my life I realize how much more exposure I have had to religious institutions in a direct and personal way than people here. For example, when I was little it was the norm among my friends to go to church every Sunday and to be involved socially with a church organization, and I was no exception. To many people here that is unimaginable, and when I tell them about my religious background or the religious beliefs or practices of other members of my family they are astounded. When I walk throughout the city I see some churches, but they are mostly treated like monuments and works of art. Unlike in Chicago or DC, I do not see small churches, and I do not see a wave of activity on Sunday mornings.
Being a Theology major I have even sought religious experience within the city, though only casually, and what I have found thus far was a large cathedral holding an instrumental concert for high schoolers and the Grand Mosque that looked run down and deserted. Though I know that both places hold religious services and that there are some here that are no less religious than the most devout in the United States, it seems to remain beyond the public eye. However, like the United States that is dealing with new challenges with new types of religious immigrant populations, Europe, and Belgium in particular, are increasingly being forced to address religion in the public sphere because of the steady growth of a Muslim population. I hope to expand upon that point in my next letter.
Since I am in Belgium, I am most interested in their particular mode of dealing with religious issues. Belgium currently has religions that are recognized by the state and those that are not. Though Belgium itself is principally Roman Catholic, with Islam as a distant second in popularity, like many other places in Europe, attendance at church is quite low, and those that are openly atheist or secular is much larger. Additionally, in Belgium the way that the government runs their relationship with church groups is through contracts and negotiations with their leaders that allow recognized religions to receive stipends for the salaries and pensions of clerics and compensation for religious education parents may choose for their child. However, secular groups that are philosophical in nature can also be recognized at the same level as these religious groups and thus be eligible to receive similar benefits.
While in America, there is an overarching reference to God in much of popular culture and politics, the idea that there would be explicit privileging of some religions over others or financing of religious education, would seem to many Americans, an affront to the religious liberty of minorities. By contrast, in Belgium, besides perhaps some of the Muslim population, most do not think much about how other people's beliefs or the state's position on religion will affect their lives. In fact, I think that the way that the government treats religion goes largely unnoticed by the majority of the population. Therefore, if someone wants to send his or her children to a religious institution and have the state pay for it, it does not cause much of an uproar.
In America generally religion is more of a salient issue in the lives of the average person, and that is reflected in the way that the government treats it. In fact I have had quite an experience with this here since I am a Theology major. When people ask what I'm studying and I say religion, many assume that since I am an American studying religion I must be very devout. It is certainly a stereotype within Europe, including Belgium, to think that America is very religious. Though I realize that religiosity varies widely within the United States, I think that the stereotype does have some basis in reality. Speaking from my own experience, I am certainly not a religious person now, in faith or in practice, but when I look at my life I realize how much more exposure I have had to religious institutions in a direct and personal way than people here. For example, when I was little it was the norm among my friends to go to church every Sunday and to be involved socially with a church organization, and I was no exception. To many people here that is unimaginable, and when I tell them about my religious background or the religious beliefs or practices of other members of my family they are astounded. When I walk throughout the city I see some churches, but they are mostly treated like monuments and works of art. Unlike in Chicago or DC, I do not see small churches, and I do not see a wave of activity on Sunday mornings.
Being a Theology major I have even sought religious experience within the city, though only casually, and what I have found thus far was a large cathedral holding an instrumental concert for high schoolers and the Grand Mosque that looked run down and deserted. Though I know that both places hold religious services and that there are some here that are no less religious than the most devout in the United States, it seems to remain beyond the public eye. However, like the United States that is dealing with new challenges with new types of religious immigrant populations, Europe, and Belgium in particular, are increasingly being forced to address religion in the public sphere because of the steady growth of a Muslim population. I hope to expand upon that point in my next letter.
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