Denominational Systems and Religious States in the Countries of Western Europe

The aim of tthis article is to analyze the relashionship between the institutional framework of the church and the level of religiosity in Western Europe. The religious situation and evolution of each country is outlined using data mainly from the European Value Survey (1981, 1990). The institutional status of religion is more or less favorablefrom national religion to laicite. The comparison within each country illustrates that the link between this status and the religious situation is very weak. The different institutional settings are part of each country's history and are usally maintained regardless of the present level of religious feeling.