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A brief history of the Czech
Republic:
The Czech Republic had the first protestant-controlled country following John Hus’ martyrdom in 1415. The Protestants held much influence until they were
defeated by the Roman Catholic "Hapsburg" Austrian Empire in 1627. The Austrian
rule lasted until the end of WWI when Czechoslovakia was formed as a new nation
in 1920. In 1939 Nazi Germany invaded and occupied the country. Following WWII
in 1948 the Communists were voted into power in Czechoslovakia. 1989 marked the
end of communist control and a new free country was established. In 1993 the
country peacefully split to form the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic.
Life is more and more like the
west - that's good and bad:
The country is becoming more and more westernized and many foreign stores,
products and companies are here and more are coming. The Czech Republic hopes to
join the EU sometime in 2004. The average personal monthly income is about $500
to $700 per month and both husband and wife work in most families. The average
family has 1 or 2 children and most start in preschool as early as age 3. The
country still operates under a social system in many ways -- medicine,
insurance, and many government-supported systems. The divorce rate is perhaps
60% or higher. Most people live in apartment buildings from the communist years,
which are small and generic. The typical man, married or not, goes to the pub
after work and may spend several hours there or take beer home to watch TV.
Women are expected to do most of the work in the home even though they work
outside the home.
The Spiritual history and climate
in the Czech Republic:
The people of this land have been spiritually oppressed for about 400 years.
After the protestant Hussittes were defeated by the Catholics in 1621 the people
were forced to accept Roman Catholic doctrine for 300 years and then for 50
years they were ruled by the Germans or the Communists. Presently about 80% of
the adults claim to be atheists or agnostics. The people are closed to spiritual
matters and have little or no interest to discuss or consider spiritual
matters, the Bible or God. It doesn’t seem that people have an animosity toward
Christians, but an indifference. The larger protestant churches are liberal and
liberalism has affected most protestant churches. Many cults have established
movements here, but there are very few Muslims. For the most part people trust
in their own ability and strength and see capitalism and democracy as their
hope.
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