Irreligion in Spain is a phenomenon that has existed since at least the 17th century.[2] Secularism became relatively popular among rich people (although the majority of the lower classes were still very religious) in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, often associated with anti-clericalism and progressive, republican, anarchist or socialist movements.[3]
During the Second Spanish Republic (1931–1936) Spain became a secular state, placing limitations on the activity of the Catholic Church and expelling the church from education. During the Spanish Civil War irreligious people were repressed by the Francoist side, while religion was largely persecuted among the republicans.
During the Francoist Spain period (1939–1975) irreligion was not tolerated, following the national-catholic ideology of the regime; Spanish citizens had to be Catholic by law, though this changed after the Second Vatican Council. Irreligious people could not be public workers or express their thoughts openly.
After the Spanish democratic transition (1975–1982), restrictions on irreligion were lifted.[4] In the last decades religious practice has fallen dramatically and irreligion has grown in popularity.[5]
- ^ CIS."Barómetro de Enero de 2023", 3,961 respondents. The question was "¿Cómo se define Ud. en materia religiosa: católico/a practicante, católico/a no practicante, creyente de otra religión, agnóstico/a, indiferente o no creyente, o ateo/a?".
- ^ Andreu Navarra Ordoño. El ateísmo. La aventura de pensar libremente en España. Editorial Cátedra, Madrid, 2016.
- ^ Alfonso Pérez-Agote. Sociología histórica del nacional-catolicismo español. Universidad Complutense de Madrid,
- ^ España aconfesional y católica.
- ^ España ha dejado de ser católica practicante.