what is the main religion in eastern europe?
Zift
neutral
 Christians in the EU are divided among members of Catholicism ( both Roman and Eastern Rite ) , numerous Protestant denominations , and the Eastern Orthodox Church . In 2009 , the EU had an estimated Muslim population of 13 million , and an estimated Jewish population of over a million . The other world religions of Buddhism , Hinduism and Sikhism are also represented in the EU population . 

neutral
 According to new polls about religiosity in the European Union in 2012 by Eurobarometer , Christianity is the largest religion in the European Union , accounting for 72 % of the EU population . Catholics are the largest Christian group , accounting for 48 % of the EU population , while Protestants make up 12 % , Eastern Orthodox make up 8 % and other Christians make up 4 % . 

neutral
 The preamble to the Treaty on European Union mentions the " cultural , religious and humanist inheritance of Europe " . Discussion over the draft texts of the European Constitution and later the Treaty of Lisbon included proposals to mention Christianity or God , or both , in the preamble of the text , but the idea faced opposition and was dropped . 

contradiction
 Religious beliefs in the Eastern Empire and Iran were in flux during the late sixth and early seventh centuries . Judaism was an active proselytising faith , and at least one Arab political leader converted to it . Christianity had active missions competing with the Persians ' Zoroastrianism in seeking converts , especially among residents of the Arabian Peninsula . All these strands came together with the emergence of Islam in Arabia during the lifetime of Muhammad ( d . 632 ) . After his death , Islamic forces conquered much of the Eastern Empire and Persia , starting with Syria in 634 – 635 and reaching Egypt in 640 – 641 , Persia between 637 and 642 , North Africa in the later seventh century , and the Iberian Peninsula in 711 . By 714 , Islamic forces controlled much of the peninsula in a region they called Al @-@ Andalus . 

contradiction
 Christianity remains the major religion of the population of the United Kingdom in the 21st century , followed by Islam , Hinduism , Sikhism and then Judaism in terms of numbers of adherents . The 2007 Tearfund Survey revealed 53 % identified themselves as Christian , which was similar to the 2004 British Social Attitudes Survey , and to the United Kingdom Census 2001 in which 71 @.@ 6 % said that Christianity was their religion , However , the Tearfund Survey showed only one in ten Britons attend church weekly . Secularism was advanced in Britain during the Age of Enlightenment , and modern British organisations such as the British Humanist Association and the National Secular Society offer the opportunity for their members to " debate and explore the moral and philosophical issues in a non @-@ religious setting " . 
