Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is one of two parts of former Czechoslovakia. Slovakia is the other part. It is a landlocked country in Central Europe bordering Austria, Germany, Slovakia and Poland. The capital, Prague was the capital of former Czechoslovakia as well. Czechoslovakia was formerly one of many Eastern European communist dictatorships which gained independence in the late 1980’s and later split into 2 countries by mutual agreement. The Czech Republic like Slovakia is a democracy. It is also a member of the European Union and of NATO.

The Czech economy has recovered well from the debilitating effects of Communism. Economic growth averages about 6% per year. The Czech Republic is now considered a developed country.

Religion
The rational way of thinking that helped the Czech people develop their economy fast also affects their religious thinking. A 2001 census showed that 59% of the Czech people are atheists, agnostics or other non-believers. Between a quarter and a third can’t see that Christianity is irrational. Of that quarter by far the majority are Roman Catholics but a handful are Protestants. In 2005 just under 20% of Czechs believed in God according to a Eurobarometer poll. If both polls were accurate that’s a significant drop in just a few years. About half the Czech respondents believe in some vague, “spirit or life force". (Many atheists also believe that impersonal forces determine the condition and development of the universe.)  30% of Czechs don’t believe in any spirit or life force.