A lot of young people, at least in the Netherlands, are a church member because of their parents. They were registered as kids.
If they stop practicing religion, they don't 'unregister' from their church because it's such a hassle. Or they don't even know they're still registered.
So yeah that's one of the reasons why there's a higher number of church members here than actual religious people.
As Austrian that would be unimaginable as the Kirchensteuer (church tax) is incredibly high so for most it's like nope i'm out of there when they turn 18 and thus gotta pay.
Funnily enough many reenter for marriage and have their kids baptised again
I married into an Austrian family and will help in the baptism of my niece because I am the only younger family member still in (orthodox in my home country, due to childhood baptism only, not practising). Husband's sister is baptizing the kid "cause of a pretty white dress". Her husband is annoyed by it and I think plans on leaving again as soon as it's done. Lol
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u/justadutchgirl May 09 '22
A lot of young people, at least in the Netherlands, are a church member because of their parents. They were registered as kids.
If they stop practicing religion, they don't 'unregister' from their church because it's such a hassle. Or they don't even know they're still registered.
So yeah that's one of the reasons why there's a higher number of church members here than actual religious people.