Religion and faith in Romania: How many Romanians believe in God?

A recent IRES survey reveals that 96% of Romanians believe in God, while 63% think that a politician who doesn’t believe in God is not fit to hold a public office. Almost 90% of respondents believe in the existence of the soul, and in the sin, the study shows. Some 85% believe in angels, 75% think there is a Heaven, 66% believe in the existence of the Devil (a percentage similar to those who think there is a Hell), and 64% believe in life after death. About 77% of respondents agree with the idea that religion represents the truth while only 17% disagree with this statement. Moreover, almost three-quarters of Romanians see God as being very important in their lives. When it comes to the Church, 86% of respondents agree that this institution provides answers to people's spiritual needs, 76% think that it provides answers to moral questions, 72% - answers for family problems, 61% - answers for youth problems, and 59% - answers for social problems. Almost 70% of Romanians pray at least once a day, 27% pray several times a day, and 42% pray once a day. About 83% of respondents say that praying has helped them throughout life. Most of Christian Romanians also go to confession: 51% - several times a year, and 25% - once a year. 1% say they go to confession on a weekly basis while 3% do so once a month. Changing religion is an isolated phenomenon in Romania, the study reveals. Only 4% of respondents said they’ve changed their religion. 70% of respondents pay annual contributions to the church/parish to which they belong. More than three quarters make donations when they go to church, the amounts ranging from below RON 50 (25%), to over RON 200 (11%). How many Romanians believe in God? Almost half of Romanian students choose to study religion in school Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com