THE proportion of Spaniards who say they are Roman Catholic has fallen to 73 percent from around 80 percent eight years ago, according to a survey released this week by the CIS research centre.
About 25 percent of all Spaniards now claim to be atheists or without a religion, compared to 17 percent in 2002, the June survey of 2,500 adults found.
Only 13 percent of those questioned said they attended Mass each week compared to 20 percent eight years ago. And more than half of those surveyed, 56 percent, said they “practically never” attended Mass.
The findings reflected not just the rapid pace of secularisation the country has undergone this century but also the Roman Catholic Church’s “loss of credibility”, said Spanish theologian Juan Jose Tamayo.
The atheist community in Spain will gain one more member when I relocate to that country in October – and just to ensure that no-one ever mistakes me for a believer, I designed me an atheist tattoo.
The idea occurred to me after a discussion with a fellow atheist in Scotland, who was lamenting the fact that non-believers can’t seem to agree on an easily recognisable , universal symbol.
Certainly, when I Googled “what is the best atheist symbol?” I found on discussion boards a number of suggested signs, some pretty complex – and not at all obvious, like this one.
In the end, using a simple “A” with the word atheist in Spanish beneath I came up with my own design, and had it inked on my right pectoral earlier this month.
I have to say I was miffed over the fact that my Collins Easy Learn Spanish Dictionary does not contain the word atheist, but did have “Christian”.
Hope they correct this glaring omission in future editions.
By the way, it’s always wise when having a tattoo to make sure that the person applying it knows how to spell, or you could wind up looking like the lad on the left.
The Freethinker was founded in 1881 by GW Foote, an outspoken critic of religion. After the publication of 
July 31st, 2010 at 10:43 am
I’d need better pecs to sport such a tat, but that’s the spirit! As for the symbol/logo: graphically pleasing – reminds me of the Cambridge Assessment brand (which stands for intellectual rigour, amongst other things). I did, though, like that bus campaign a while back, “Don’t worry, there’s probably no God,” or something like. In that vein, I’d propose something like the classic “smiley,” but with a healthy brain suitably rendered in the circle’s top.
July 31st, 2010 at 10:58 am
Ah Spain, a marvellous country and as an LFC fan – great footballers! After australia, it would be my 2nd choice destination to emigrate to -Used to live in Barcelona – fabulous city. glad to hear they are being cured of religion. And if the whole country follows suite with the catalans – hopefully we’ll see the last of their disgusting bullfighting antics too.
Nice tattoo there – I designed a fair few in my time. I hope you are going to continue the freethinker from your improved climate!
July 31st, 2010 at 11:09 am
The beauty of the internet, Stargraves, is that I can produce the FT – 130 years old next year – from practically any location on the planet. And I intend doing so for a great many years to come. Doubt though that I’ll beat Chapman Cohen’s record. He edited the mag for 36 years between 1915 and 1951.
July 31st, 2010 at 11:52 am
I keep saying I’m going to get a tattoo but never get round to it, though I’ve thought about getting something like a skull with fangs and horns and stuff or something maybe a Tribal “S” sign that slipknot use, either way my tattoo would have to be METAL
I hope this trend in spain continues and hopefully continues in more countries too, the only way that religion is going to end is when people stop beleiving and people have to figure out for themselves that religion is bullshit, to quote starship troopers “Figuring things out for yourself is the only real freedom anyone has, use that freedom”.
July 31st, 2010 at 1:05 pm
The trend is there, just too bad our politicians don’t seem to realise there’s no longer a valid reason to pay too much attention to the unelected ‘representatives’ of the various religious, dwindling, minorities there are around. The EU recently opened the door for religious influence by having a conference with religious ‘leaders’, all with their own, often conflicting, agendas.
July 31st, 2010 at 1:41 pm
Any attempt by the catholic church to regain lost territory will probably result in them haemorrhaging more souls. Pope Ratty seems to think becoming more conservative is the answer and can’t see how unappealing his message is. Satan’s Little Helper should keep his pointy tail out of Spanish politics too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....r_embedded
July 31st, 2010 at 7:43 pm
Broadsword, let’s not underestimate this old monster! There may still plenty of life in it to make lives miserable, if not in the West, then there’s still plenty of planet Earth where religion(s) reign supreme, alas.
July 31st, 2010 at 9:21 pm
I was a teenager in the West of Scotland in the 70s – there was a fashion for self (or mate)- inflicted tatoos by means of Indian ink and a needle. The Northern Ireland conflict had a big influence on us – a friend of mine decided to have ’1690′ tatooed on his arm – the date of the Battle of the Boyne and an identifier as Protestant. Unfortunately he did it to himself, upside down, and inadvertently had written ’1960′.
August 1st, 2010 at 6:02 am
Good luck with moving to Spain. It’s a beautiful country. Mallorca may be my current favorite, but I’m sure the Spanish Atheist crowds will be quite pleased to have such an eloquent person on their side!
August 1st, 2010 at 6:55 am
@Har
You’ve a good point there. I was looking narrowly at Spain and failed to consider the Paedo Club’s global aims. I wonder has science and education caused the Vatican’s “Eye of Sauron” to shift from Europe (perhaps considering it lost) to places like Africa? I’ve used the term “professional xian” previously in relation to televangelists but I suppose it could be extended to cover all clergy including Ratty’s Dirty Boys. As a business they have to look for new markets, the harmful message being unimportant as long as the cash keeps rolling in. Given their HIV-friendly outlook, I wonder could infected ex-catholics sue them like smokers are currently pursuing the tobacco companies?
Another thing I hate about them. They get fat and rich after passing the collection tray around for the poor to contribute. Have they no shame?
August 1st, 2010 at 6:59 am
My gracious, you are hot! Are you single? Can I get a date so I can get a better look at your “A”?
August 1st, 2010 at 9:22 am
“[J]ust to ensure that no-one ever mistakes me for a believer, I designed me an atheist tattoo.”
Got to admit, I never thought of incorporating The Power of Hulkamania into religious debate before but I can’t think of any line of questioning on earth that doesn’t trump.
If you ever see two modestly dressed people being chased down the street by a maniac ripping his shirt off and screaming, you’ll know the Jehovah’s witnesses just rang Barry Duke’s doorbell!
August 1st, 2010 at 10:01 am
Broadsword, I would love to be the proverbial fly on the wall in Josef’s office, when he’s sitting down with his marketing-team. Do they talk about ‘us’ just like any other company does, in the terms of returns on investment, campaigns etc? Europe seems to be lost for christianity, even at it’s present slow pace in some countries, South America seems to be heading the same way with gay marriage as an indication, North America not so hot either. Not that many christians in the East and Far East, which leaves Africa as the final bastion, until progress will bring people bring to their senses. Christianity had a good ride and fucked humanity over for about 2.000 years. Just imagine what could have been achieved without it; they stole scientific and social progress from us for hundreds of years!
August 1st, 2010 at 11:25 am
My wife is tattooed – and I always considered it – but could never decide on a design. Despite having done loads for others – mainly pentagram variations / logos / and the odd screaming skull on fire – y’know yer average metal design….
I quite fancied something like the Van Der Graaf Generator logo’s “V” – which is like an Escher impossible triangle – combining my love of insane music and exquisite art, but it’s perhaps not spiky or metal enough…
Maybe if I stuck a screaming skull on fire in the middle… or a screaming upside down crucified jesus on fire
August 1st, 2010 at 11:31 am
What I find fascinating Har, is the RCC’s decline in South America.
So sudden and so fast from where I’m sitting.
August 1st, 2010 at 11:46 am
@stargraves
No tattoos or wedding rings. The fuckers don’t have anything to pick on then.
August 1st, 2010 at 1:03 pm
An exception to the rule seems to be SPanish Footballers, who believe God is a spectator of their games.
August 1st, 2010 at 3:09 pm
Broadsword, there’s hope yet, but I pity the Africans if they’re going to be sole ‘beneficiaries’ of the RCC’s attention. We’re already seeing African clergy coming to Holland in an effort to stem the tide. As for South America, it may be the same as is the Southern European countries, religion as tradition with ceremonies and all; without the social pressure, that little balloon just burst. We need more scandals to hasten the collapse of the church!!
August 1st, 2010 at 4:09 pm
@Elainek123 – as long as he’s not putting Fernando Torres off by being all omnipotent and peering over his shoulder etc
Actually, for a footy player he’s a nerd as he has a tattoo of Tolkien’s elvish script down his arm.
@Broady – well I do wear a weddng band – it keeps me safe when out on the lash!
August 3rd, 2010 at 5:07 am
For years the Latin’s have been smothered by the fog of catholic dogma. First, Argentina legalised same sex marriage and Spain, finally casting off the shackles of religious delusion. This is good. It means I can consume Spanish produce, the olive oil, olives, wine, citrus etc withpout the concern that some of the proceeds could find its way into the poop ratty’s pocket. All this too without an organised campaign against religious belief. The best thing is that the stupidity of it all is being revealed as the microscope is focussed on the church’s approach to child rape.