Is atheism frowned upon in Italy?

Question

Are non-believers viewed as inherently bad in Italy? If an atheist tourist visits a church or temple while touring the country, are the expected to bow their heads during prayers, stand during religious songs, etc?

I am a non-Christian who will be visiting the country for school and we will make many visits to churches for cultural and architectural study. Also, will the locals be offended if, in conversation, it comes up that I believe differently than them? Your advice on proper social etiquette while maintaining, as much as possible, my own religious (or non-religious) convictions is appreciated.

Thank you for your polite responses!

Answer 1

In spite of the fact we have the Vatican and the Pope Italy is not a clerical Country and people here is not at all offended if during a conversation your religious (or non religious) beliefs are corresponding or not to ours. In Italy there are a lot of people that are atheists and of other religions and we are not making problems to them. As an other answerer said it's quite common that tourists are not admitted to visit a church while there are religious services. In all the remaining time you'll be free to enter into the churches (when they're open..!!) and provided you keep a normal behaviour, nobody will tell you anything if you're not bowing your head or if you stay seated or standing.

Just remember that you'll be not allowed to enter churches  if you wear skirt / pants not covering yr knees and if yr arms and shoulders aren't properly covered (sleeves till yr elbow).

Answer 2

Usually tourists are not allowed during religious services. Otherwise, keep quiet and discreet.

Religion is not a common conversation topic, especially with people you don't know, so you should be pretty safe on that side. If it ever comes up, understatement again.

Answer 3

Hi dear, I'm Italian and I can assure you...act as you feel...in churches you don't have to act as christians do...no one will notice you! And you can also express your opinion...of course avoid expressing them with priests! But I think you wouldn't do this anywhere! So don't worry, we are a democracy!

I wish U a nice stay!

Hugs

Answer 4

No, it is not frowned upon in Italy. Many non believers are politically left in Italy.....

As long as you respect others you too will be respected in Italy.

Answer 5

WHAT are you saying?!?!??!?

i'm an anticlerical italian,

do you know that italy became an independent nation with the destruction of The state of the Pope?

The vatican today is an indipendent nation, and it' s not part of italy,

so italy is a laical state, ruled by a center left goverment (in part communist) !

only 30% of population practise catholic religion in italy, going every sunday in church, and the most are old people!!!

it's normal see advertisings on the street depecting nude people,  p**n movies and satire against the Pope on standard national TV channels, many member of parliament are homosexuals, and a member of goverment is a transexual, because italy is a laical state, that divide religion from the state.

italy is more developed socially that USA, here there aren't integralist christians and puritans

and it's unthinkable that a woman have to bow your head entering in a church

but i think that is annoying and no respectful for believers that the turists would go to visit a church during the mess, as all over in the churches of world!!!

Answer 6

Thats a very good question..so lets turn it around ..If you were to let someone visit your home and you did not allow meat to be eaten there but every night for supper they slipped a big-mac in somehow...Or what would happen if they found your shower routine dull and just jumped in with you. Pretty soon you would be ready to ask " Whats up with you?" "Can't you see I don't want anyone else in here right now!" you might say..Well if your at church do you think these probable Roman Catholic Parishiners will notice if you do things a little different ? You bet they will. I would bet money that they would NOT condem you for it. Their belief is that man has an inate inseperable goodness and if you are there In Church At Mass there is a reason. Right now the story of Jonah and the whale comes to mind ..not in its regular view but in a different view ..Jonah was commanded by God to Save the souls of his time,,,Jonah wanted to go to Jeruselum but on his trip a great whale took him into his mouth and delivered him to Nineva a small town were many were  in need of his good deeds. Perhaps the people of your visit will know of this parable and will understand that saving the souls of the saved is usless,, saving the souls of the misguided is ,like those in Nineva, worthwhile....When you go to visit look for the friendship , goodness and open arms they offer  and I am sure you will find them....As far as a direct answer to your question ..It is a misunderstood by the common person as would a be a discussion of why an American likes football and not soccer......... Italy is a wonderful place and may hold for you your most wonderful dreams enjoy your trip..The Architecture is beatiful as well as is the old world charm.....From the E....

Answer 7

I'm Italian and I'm Christian, I think I can explain you how this things work.

Everyday in Italian churches there are tourist that visit the cathedral during the functions, they start taking pictures and talk loud.....please don't do like this!! what will you say if while you're eating at McDonald's a Japanese tourist take a picture of you?? anyway, i think that if you are with a group (you said you are going with you class, right) visits to churches and religious places are organized when the church is "free", when there's almost nobody in it because there's not a function.

Atheism is very common in Italy nowadays, don't worry about it. Most of my friend are non-believers and I'm a non-churchgoer, but we are see as very good people.

The only thing that I can ask you is to respect believers that are praying in the church, and this mean you shouldn't talk loud or annoying them....and remember not to wear short skirts and to have your shoulders always covered.

I hope that you will enjoy you trip in Italy