Changes in the religiosity of Christians in Switzerland

According to a recent study undertaken in Switzerland, the majority of the Swiss population of Christian origin maintain a distanced relationship with religion and spirituality in general. 64% of those interviewed only draw on and make active use of religious and spiritual references in exceptional situations. 17% of the population fit into the category of belonging to institutions and they differentiate themselves by adhering to a set of Christian beliefs and practices and, especially, by the prevalence of the latter in their daily lives. Numbers in this category have significantly diminished since the 1960’s. The remaining population is then divided between the “alternatives” (13%), active in esoteric spiritualities and beliefs, and laypersons (10%) characterised by an attitude of indifference or even hostility towards the religious domain. Christianity is thus no longer seen by the majority of the Swiss as the fundamental religion of today’s society. However, national churches are still perceived as institutions of public utility for their work and support of the socially disadvantaged.

Jörg Stolz, Judith Könemann, Mallory Schneuwly Purdie, Thomas Engleberger, Religiosité dans le monde moderne : conditions, constructions et mutation sociale, Université de Lausanne, ISSRC, 2011. Rapport final.