Niewierzący a praktykujący. Materiały do refleksji nad pozorną aktywnością religijną
Participating ‘non-believers’

Summary/Abstract: The article addresses the question of whether it is possible not to believe in God but still participate in religious rituals, or in other words, is such an action an ‘apparent’ one? This question is considered within the framework of ‘apparent actions’ proposed by Professor Jan Lutyński. Examples are provided of very different motives belonging to a range of people, such as emigrants or those living during the Communist times in Poland, when they decide to participate in certain Catholic ceremonies. Such non-religious motives might be characteristic for people whose faith is weaker. These examples show that the role of participation in so-called ‘cult’ (religious ceremony and ritual) is much wider than just the religious aspect. The article presents results of different studies which show that the number of ‘participating non-believers’ represents about 1/3 of all people in Poland who declare themselves to be ‘non believers’. ‘Non-believers’ obey religious rituals most often during Christmas time and Easter when their motives are in most cases secular. There are many characteristics of such action that apply to the concept of apparent actions presented by Lutyński.

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