Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1431464
6 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 21 NOVEMBER 2021 NEWS JAMES DEBONO THE Maltese rank fifth in the EU in attributing importance to religion in their lives and are the seventh most likely in the EU to define themselves on the basis of nationality (80%). A Eurobarometer held in all member states asked respond- ents how important religion is for them on a scale of 0 to 10, amongst other questions related to identity. The survey shows that religion is not important at all for 9% of Maltese respondents, compared to 19% of all Europeans. On the other hand, religion is of maxi- mum importance for 22% of the Maltese compared to just 11% in all 26 member states. Religion was said to be "impor- tant" for 58% of Maltese com- pared to 36% of all EU respond- ents; on the other hand, religion was not important for 20% of the Maltese, compared to 36% of all Europeans. Ranking fifth among all EU states in attributing importance to religion in their lives, Malta was surpassed by majority Or- thodox Christianity countries, namely Cyprus (80%), Romania (73%), Greece (72%) and Bulgar- ia (60%). The Maltese ranked just before the Poles (54%) and Croa- tians (53%), two other countries with a strong and influential Catholic Church. In Ireland, an- other country with a historically strong Catholic church but ex- perienced radical change in civil liberties like Malta, only 36% give importance to religion while 43% say it is not important in their life. People in Sweden, Luxembourg and Denmark were the least re- ligious in Europe. Across the EU respondents who experience financial difficulties are also more likely (42%) to value re- ligion morethan those who never have difficul- ties paying bills (32%). Similarly, respondents self-identifying as left wing politically were less likely (27%) than centrists (35%), or right-wingers (49%) to value creed. Respondents satisfied with their lives were less likely (35%) to value religion than those who don't (40%). But while Malta ranks high among EU countries which val- ue religion, the Maltese are more likely to identify with nationality (80%) than with religion (65%). But then the Maltese are more likely (65%) than Europeans (53%) to identify themselves with their religion. Overall EU respondents identi- fiying as left-wing (67%) and cen- trists (73%) were less likely to identify with nationality than those on the right (80%). Among those for whom religion is important, 80% identify with their nation- ality compared to 64% for whom religion is not important. The survey also shows that the percentage of Maltese who feel their identity is un- der threat (26%) is five points higher than in all EU countries. Malta ranked below Austria (27%), Greece (31%), and Cyprus (33%). The Maltese are also less likely to think of themselves as 'car- ing for nature'; (66% vs 71% in the EU) and to give importance to taking their own decisions in life (69% vs 78%). Only 13% of EU respondents and 11% of Mal- tese think possession of outward signs of wealth is an important part of their identity. Despite giving importance to religion and nationality, only 43% of Maltese (compared to 53% of all EU respondents) think that maintaining traditional val- ues and ways of thinking is a key part of their identity. Religio et Patria: Maltese in top five 'most religious' in Europe How important is religion to you? 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Cyprus Romania Greece Bulgaria Malta Poland Croatia Italy Portugal Lithuania Slovakia Ireland Latvia Finland Hungary Spain Slovenia Austria France Netherlands Belgium Germany Estonia Czech Republic Denmark Luxembourg Sweden 80% 10% 73% 4% 72% 9% 60% 10% 58% 20% 54% 18% 53% 18% 50% 15% 47% 15% 37% 32% 38% 28% 36% 43% 32% 39% 31% 51% 30% 35% 29% 33% 28% 50% 28% 35% 26% 48% 26% 57% 24% 51% 24% 50% 22% 57% 19% 59% 18% 53% 18% 57% 16% 67% Important Not Important Values of Maltese compared to values of all EU member states combined No one should be condemned to death Everyone's choice in family life should be… Everyone should have freedom of thought/religion Everyone with well-founded fear of persecution… EU citizens should have freedom of movement in EU Everyone should have freedom to protest/demonst… Judges should be independent Government should support 58% 57% 77% 79% 80% 81% 61% 66% 71% 74% 78% 77% 80% 82% 77% 76% Malta EU How important is religion to you? 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Cyprus Romania Greece Bulgaria Malta Poland Croatia Italy Portugal Lithuania Slovakia Ireland Latvia Finland Hungary Spain Slovenia Austria France Netherlands Belgium Germany Estonia Czech Republic Denmark Luxembourg Sweden 80% 10% 73% 4% 72% 9% 60% 10% 58% 20% 54% 18% 53% 18% 50% 15% 47% 15% 37% 32% 38% 28% 36% 43% 32% 39% 31% 51% 30% 35% 29% 33% 28% 50% 28% 35% 26% 48% 26% 57% 24% 51% 24% 50% 22% 57% 19% 59% 18% 53% 18% 57% 16% 67% Important Not Important Values of Maltese compared to values of all EU member states combined No one should be condemned to death Everyone's choice in family life should be… Everyone should have freedom of thought/religion Everyone with well-founded fear of persecution… EU citizens should have freedom of movement in EU Everyone should have freedom to protest/demonst… Judges should be independent Government should support vulnerable citizens Equality between 58% 57% 77% 79% 80% 81% 61% 66% 71% 74% 78% 77% 80% 82% 77% 76% Malta EU How important is religion to you? 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Cyprus Romania Greece Bulgaria Malta Poland Croatia Italy Portugal Lithuania Slovakia Ireland Latvia Finland Hungary Spain Slovenia Austria France Netherlands 80% 10% 73% 4% 72% 9% 60% 10% 58% 20% 54% 18% 53% 18% 50% 15% 47% 15% 37% 32% 38% 28% 36% 43% 32% 39% 31% 51% 30% 35% 29% 33% 28% 50% 28% 35% 26% 48% Important Not Important Values of Maltese compared to values of all EU member No one should be condemned to death Everyone's choice in family life should be… Everyone should have freedom of thought/religion Everyone with well-founded fear of persecution… EU citizens should have freedom of movement in EU Everyone should have freedom to protest/demonst… Judges should be independent Government should support vulnerable citizens Equality between men and women in all areas There should be no discrimination in any area 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 58% 57% 77% 79% 80% 81% 61% 66% 71% 74% 78% 77% 80% 82% 77% 76% 80% 79% 78% 79% Malta EU Values of Maltese compared to values of all EU member states combined