Public interest in religious institutions and 'religious' phenomena in Italy has been on the rise, with the surge of debates and studies regarding religion and national identity, religion and its historical role, and religion and civil values. In Catholicism in Italy in the Age of Pluralism, Franco Garelli presents an interesting perspective and analysis of the controversial and ambivalent dynamics that characterize the dialogue on religion and politics within Italy today.

Recent studies show that atheism is increasing. The reasons for this development have not as yet been examined thoroughly. Many atheists continue to be residual groups in surveys on religiosity, making it difficult to examine who they are and why they have chosen to be atheists. Moreover, they are minority groups in most countries (former Soviet bloc countries are left out of discussion); many do not identify with any organized groups of atheists or agnostics. Atheist groups and ideologies, then, represent a wide range of attitudes, behaviour and ways of acting towards religion. The lack of a...