PEREGRINUS CRACOVIENSIS Zeszyt 13, 2002 ISSN 1425−1922 René Matlovič Geographical Aspects of Religious Diversity in Slovakia at the Beginning of the Third Millennium 1. Introduction he main aim of this paper is to give analysis of religious diversity of the inha− bitants of the Slovak Republic and to point out some trends in the develop− Tment of religious composition of Slovak population in the last decennium. The research draws on the information gained at census in 2001. Concerning the religious structure of population, more specific results were expected during the census, since 17,4% of the Slovak population ignored the question on religious denomination in 1991 census. 2. Basic tendencies in the development of religious diversity of the population of the Slovak Republic between 1991−2001 Census results of 2001 show several basic trends in the development of religious composition of the population of the Slovak Republic in the last decennium (see Table 1). Especially following trends were observed: 1. A considerable decline of people who did not state their religious orientation. While in 1991 917,865 inhabitants, that is 17,40% of the total number of inhabitants ignored the question concerning their religious orientation, in 2001 only 160,598 inhabitants, that is 2,98% of the total number of the inhabitants of the Slovak Republic ignored the above question. So the number of people from the category of the unidentified religious orientation was lowered by 14,42%. This fact will enable us to better analyze current religious composition of the population as well as this group’s (formerly unidentified religious orientation) consequent religious orientation at the census of 2001. 2. A considerable growth in number of believers out of the total number of the Slovak population. While in 1991 3,840,949 (72,82%) of inhabitants of the Slovak 36 René Matlovič Republic claimed they were believers (by believer we mean a total number of inhabitants lowered by a number of non−believers as well as by a number of the unidentified persons), this grew to 4, 521,549 (84,05% of the total number of inhabitants of the Slovak Republic) in 2001. This means that a degree of religiosity grew by 11,23% in this period. 3. An increase of the number of non−believers out of the total number of population. While in 1991 515, 551 inhabitants (9,77%) belonged to the category of non−believers, their number grew to 697,308 (12,96% of the total number of the inhabitants of the Slovak Republic) in 2001. That means that out of the total number of the population of the Slovak Republic, the number of non−believers grew by 3,19%. The above trends show that majority of people (more than tri quarters) who did not state their religious orientation in 1991, claimed they were believers in 2001, and about one quarter of them claimed they were non−religious. This fact indicates a growing importance of the role of religions and Churches in the life of the Slovaksociety. 3. Changes in the religious structure of the Slovak population between 1991−2001 This part of my paper will analyze how different denominations, Churches and religious communities were represented in the grown number of believers.This analysis focuses on the inner composition of believers, which means that in some cases non− believers and the unidentified are excluded from this analysis. Concerning the absolute growth of believers, it is especially the Roman Catholics the number of whom was raised by 520,737 between 1991−2001. Since the total growth of believers was 680,600, the Roman Catholics were represented by 76,5% out of the total growth of believers. The Roman Catholics are followed by Evangelical Church of Augsburg Confession believers (Lutherans) whose number was increased by 46,461 believers (6,8% of the total number of believers). Lutherans are followed by the Greek Catholics (Uniates) whose number was increased by 41,098 believers (6% out of the total number of believers). The number of believers in the Evangelical Reformed Church of Helvetian Confession (Calvinists) was increased by 27,190 (4% out of the total number of believers), and the number of Orthodox Church believers by 15,987 (2,3% out of the total number of believers). Concerning the minor Churches and religious communities, quite considerable growth in number of the absolute growth could be observed with Jehova’s Witnesses and Christian Assemblies. The number of Jehova’s Witnesses was increased by 10,102 and that of the Christian Assemblies by 5,819. On the other hand, the number of believers in none of the Churches and religious communities officially registered in Slovakia was lowered. A small decrease in number (79 persons) can be observed in other Churches and religious communities (Figure 3). Geographical Aspects of Religious Diversity in Slovakia at the Beginning ... 37 Tab. 1. Religious structure of the population of the Slovak Republic in 1991 and 2001 Source: Matlovič, R., 2001, Sčítanie ľudu, domov a bytov vSR vr. 2001, ŠÚ SR Bratislava, www.stati− stics.sk. 373737373737 38 René Matlovič The absolute growth is not, however, the best indicator since the changes in the religious structure of population is influenced by the number of believers representing each particular Church. A dynamics of the quantitative development of particular denominations is better expressed by the growth index which gives a percentage of believers in particular Churches and religious communities in 2001 compared to these believers‘number in 1991 (100%). Thus this figure enables us todivide particular denominations, Churches and religious communities into five groups (Table2): a) Denominations with a considerable growth in number (200% and more). Christian Assemblies in Slovakia, Apostelic Church, Czechoslovak Hussite Church, and Jewish congregations can be included in this group b) Denominations with a big growth (150−200 %). The Seventh Day Adventists, Old Catholic Church, Jehova’s Witnesses, the Brethren Church, and Evangelical Methodist Church represent this group. c) Denominations with a moderate growth (125−150%). Orthodox Church, Baptist Brethren Unity as well as the Evangelical Reformed Church of Helvetian Confession belong here. d) Denominations with a small growth (100−125%). Uniate Church, Roman Catholic Church and Evangelical Church of Augsburg Confession belong to this group. That means that this group is represented by three major Churches. e) Denominations with a decline of believers (under 100%). The category of other denominations belongs to this group. This indicates the fact that the new Churches and religious communities were not successful in Slovakia in the last decennium. The above figures show that the number of believers of all denominations as well as their representation in the total number of inhabitants of Slovakia grew in the last decennium. Roman Catholics dominate in the Slovak Republic (68,9%). The second most important confession is represented by the Lutherans (6,9%). The Uniates (4,1%), Reformed Evangelical Church of Helvetian Confession (2,0%) and the Orthodox Church (0,9%) follow them. The position of other Churches has not been changed as well. Jehova’s Witnesses (0,4%) and the Methodists (0,1−%) follow the above Churches. In comparison with 1991, the change can be observed at the sixth and the seventh positions where the Baptist Church was replaced by Christian Assemblies (they were on the 14th position in 2001. The ninth position is held by Apostolic Church (it held the 11th place in 1991), and the Baptists fell to the 10th position in 2001. The Seventh Day Adventists fell to the 11th place (they held the 10th place in 1991), and the Brethren Church to the 12th place (this Church held the 9th place in 1991). Jewish Congregations fell to the 13th place (they held the 12th place in 1991) and the Old Catholic Church to the 14th place (it held the 13th position in 1991). Czechoslovak Hussite Church holds the last position as in 1991. Geographical Aspects of Religious Diversity in Slovakia at the Beginning ... 39 Tab. 2. Changes in absolute numbers and percentage representation of particular denominations in the structure of the Slovak population between 1991−2001 Source: Matlovič, R., 2001, Sčítanie ľudu, domov a bytov vSR vr. 2001, ŠÚ SR Bratislava, www.stati− stics.sk. 393939393939 40 René Matlovič 4. Spatial differentiation of major denominations in Slovakia Because of the specific features of the historical development of settlement in Slovakia, the religious structure of the Slovak population is considerably spatially diverse. In this part of our paper, we will try to point out specific features of spatial diversity of major Slovak denominations in Slovakia in 2001. At the same time, we will try to outline the changes between 1991−2001. Non−Believers are represented by 12,96 % out of the total number of the Slovak population. Compared to 1991, their number was increased by 3,19%. No considerable changes can be observed in the spatial representation of the non−believers (Figures 4 and 5). The non−believers are mostly represented in Central and South West Slovakia. Their representation is typical for urbanized and industrialized regions as well as for regions with rather heterogeneous religious structure in which the Protestants were better represented in the past. It seems that the Protestants have been secularized more than the Catholics in the last decades. Non−believers are not considerably represented in the North and East Slovakia. The non−believers are mostly represented in all districts of Bratislava, and then in Banská Bystrica, Revúca, Martin, Rožňava, Prievidza, Zvolen, Liptovský Mikuláš, Košice I, Myjava and Košice II districts. Fig. 1. Representation of Non−believers in the total number of population in districts Geographical Aspects of Religious Diversity in Slovakia at the Beginning ..