Culture And Social Development
Italy Statistics
Map of the percent of people who know Italian in each country in Europe
(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Knowledge_Italian_Europe_map.jpg)
(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Knowledge_Italian_Europe_map.jpg)
Religions In Italy
Catholicism is the main religion in Italy, with 87.8% of all Italians being practicing Catholics. Another name for the Catholic church is the Roman Catholic Church, which obviously began in Rome. At this point there are about 1.2 Billion Catholics worldwide and it is the world's largest christian church.
Catholicism has been a major influence on Italy throughout time. It used to be the only religion in Italy, and since most people were one religion, it had a major influence on how they ran the country. Since Catholicism is a missionary religion, it has since spread all over the world.
The Vatican is a very holy place for Catholics. It is located in Italy on the bank of the Tiber River. Their churches that are found all over the world are also holy places for Catholics.
There is controversy about church and state and how separate they actually are in Italy, as stated by Concordontwatch: "The Italian situation is unique. For one thing, we have the Vatican in the very heart of our capital. For another, we have it in our constitution. These combine to confer innumerable privileges on the Roman Catholic Church." They have not achieved separation of church and state, since most of the country is catholic.
Islam is the next biggest religion in Italy with only 1.9% of the population being Islamic. Islam began in Arabia (modern day Saudi Arabia) because this was where the prophet Muhammad was born and lived.
Islam has not had much of an impact on Italy as only 1.9% of the population is Islamic and A majority of the population is Catholic. Muslims wouldn't want to live in Italy because there is no clear distinction between church and state. This means that Italy is run on a Catholic Bias.
The Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia is the holy place for the Islamic religion. They all try to gather there once in their life and pray. There is no major Islamic Holy place in Italy.
There is no connection between the Italian government and the Islamic religion.
Catholicism has been a major influence on Italy throughout time. It used to be the only religion in Italy, and since most people were one religion, it had a major influence on how they ran the country. Since Catholicism is a missionary religion, it has since spread all over the world.
The Vatican is a very holy place for Catholics. It is located in Italy on the bank of the Tiber River. Their churches that are found all over the world are also holy places for Catholics.
There is controversy about church and state and how separate they actually are in Italy, as stated by Concordontwatch: "The Italian situation is unique. For one thing, we have the Vatican in the very heart of our capital. For another, we have it in our constitution. These combine to confer innumerable privileges on the Roman Catholic Church." They have not achieved separation of church and state, since most of the country is catholic.
Islam is the next biggest religion in Italy with only 1.9% of the population being Islamic. Islam began in Arabia (modern day Saudi Arabia) because this was where the prophet Muhammad was born and lived.
Islam has not had much of an impact on Italy as only 1.9% of the population is Islamic and A majority of the population is Catholic. Muslims wouldn't want to live in Italy because there is no clear distinction between church and state. This means that Italy is run on a Catholic Bias.
The Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia is the holy place for the Islamic religion. They all try to gather there once in their life and pray. There is no major Islamic Holy place in Italy.
There is no connection between the Italian government and the Islamic religion.
Protecting Cultural Diversity
I don't think the government should be actively involved in protecting cultural diversity because I think that the government needs to spend its money protecting our country and working on saving our economy. I think it's up to the people to come and go from this country and to protect their own cultures in their lives. This can be done by not giving up their traditions when they move here.
I do think however, that the government should protect people against bullying/abuse because of their culture. I do think people need to work on being more accepting of other people's cultures and try to experience them and that there should be laws against segregating/discriminating against people especially in the work place because of their culture. I just don't think it's the governments place to spend money on trying to add more cultures to the US and making sure there are plenty of cultures in the US and in each college, this is the people's duty. People need ot be proud of their cultures and hold onto them wherever they go, if they do this the government would not have to protect people's cultural diversity because they will feel accepted and have plenty of support for their cultures anyways because everyone will be celebrating their own cultures.
I do think however, that the government should protect people against bullying/abuse because of their culture. I do think people need to work on being more accepting of other people's cultures and try to experience them and that there should be laws against segregating/discriminating against people especially in the work place because of their culture. I just don't think it's the governments place to spend money on trying to add more cultures to the US and making sure there are plenty of cultures in the US and in each college, this is the people's duty. People need ot be proud of their cultures and hold onto them wherever they go, if they do this the government would not have to protect people's cultural diversity because they will feel accepted and have plenty of support for their cultures anyways because everyone will be celebrating their own cultures.
Cultural Diversity In Italy
Italy has not lost much of it's cultural diversity over the years. Italy is a very old fashioned country and tries to stick to it's original culture as often as possible. However, over the years there are many more foreign students in Italy. As shown in table 3, the number of foreign students in Italy since 2000 has multiplied by 7. You can see in Figure 1 (below) that there are also many more people with regular residence permits in Italy than even in 2000. However, even though there are many new people living in the country and visiting from other countries, they are very much trying to preserve the cultures of Italy while also being accepting of other cultures. Most of the time, people go to Italy during school for foreign exchange to get a feel of the Italian culture and traditions that have been passed down over many years. When you look at Table 2 you can see that most of the foreign people in Italy are from places in Europe/Asia, typically not too far away from Italy.
From what I've seen, the Italian Government is not doing really anything major to protect their culture other than making sure to preserve the places that were built so long ago. They try very hard to keep the Colosseum and other historical sights looking good and encourage visitors and people who are new to the country to visit them and learn and completely understand the history behind them. They are trying to make sure that the kids in the schools are taught about their culture and history as schools do in most countries. The government is not spending any extra money trying to make sure their culture stays a major part of Italy, but the people who live there are all making sure the culture and traditions don't go away and keep getting passed down through the generations. The culture and history of Italy is very important to the Italians and is shown in everyday life from what they eat to what they do and where they go. I don't think Italians will ever have an issue with losing their culture, as everyone there tries so hard to preserve it and loves it so much. They are very good and welcoming people visiting and living there from other countries without giving up their culture for them.
From what I've seen, the Italian Government is not doing really anything major to protect their culture other than making sure to preserve the places that were built so long ago. They try very hard to keep the Colosseum and other historical sights looking good and encourage visitors and people who are new to the country to visit them and learn and completely understand the history behind them. They are trying to make sure that the kids in the schools are taught about their culture and history as schools do in most countries. The government is not spending any extra money trying to make sure their culture stays a major part of Italy, but the people who live there are all making sure the culture and traditions don't go away and keep getting passed down through the generations. The culture and history of Italy is very important to the Italians and is shown in everyday life from what they eat to what they do and where they go. I don't think Italians will ever have an issue with losing their culture, as everyone there tries so hard to preserve it and loves it so much. They are very good and welcoming people visiting and living there from other countries without giving up their culture for them.
Food In Italy
Everyone knows the food that Italy is famous for: Pizza, pasta, vegetables, big meals, wine. These are all very important in the Italian culture, but the most important thing about food in their culture is the big meals. Italian meals traditionally consist of 4 courses: the antipasto, the primo (first course- pasta, rice, polenta, or soup), the secondo (second course- meat or fish) and the dolce (dessert). Most meals nowadays in people's homes are not like this anymore, and usually consist of one or two courses. However, at big parties and special occasions they still do the traditional 4 course (or more) meal. The reason behind this is that family time is very important to the Italians. Culturally meals are times for families to come together and talk. The most famous Italian foods are Pizza and pasta.
Traditional Italian Recipes:
Antipasta
Insalata Caprese
Margherita Pizza
Porcini and Nepitella
Traditional Italian Recipes:
Antipasta
Insalata Caprese
Margherita Pizza
Porcini and Nepitella
Resources
Pictures:
http://endthelie.com/2012/05/30/sex-the-three-letter-word-destroying-the-vatican/#axzz2OX6UJmIn
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Italy
Information:
(2013). In Catholicism. Retrieved March 24, 2013, from http://catholicism.org/
(2013). In Islam City. Retrieved March 24, 2013, from http://www.islamicity.com/?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
Extra resources about the Italian Culture:
Everyculture: http://www.everyculture.com/Ge-It/Italy.html
This website has information about every culture. It is a very reliable and detailed source for information about cultures.
The American University Of Rome: http://www.aur.edu/american-university-rome/student-life/housing/italian-culture/
A university in Rome, this page has information about Italian Culture
http://endthelie.com/2012/05/30/sex-the-three-letter-word-destroying-the-vatican/#axzz2OX6UJmIn
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Italy
Information:
(2013). In Catholicism. Retrieved March 24, 2013, from http://catholicism.org/
(2013). In Islam City. Retrieved March 24, 2013, from http://www.islamicity.com/?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
Extra resources about the Italian Culture:
Everyculture: http://www.everyculture.com/Ge-It/Italy.html
This website has information about every culture. It is a very reliable and detailed source for information about cultures.
The American University Of Rome: http://www.aur.edu/american-university-rome/student-life/housing/italian-culture/
A university in Rome, this page has information about Italian Culture