Religion, Immigration and Integration in Castilla and Leon

Abstract

This work analyzes the processes of change in the study of the integration of immigrants in Spain, specifically in Castilla y León, their religiosity and the meaning of religion in their integration. The majority of immigrants residing in Spain declare themselves to be believers and practitioners of their religion, hence knowing about coexistence and their religious practices. A quantitative/qualitative study is used as it helps us to understand the relationship between the importance of religion and social participation as a factor of integration. From the study it is extracted, the low tendency to the relations with other cultures and the little social and cultural participation, makes difficult the integration of some ethnic/religious groups. Religiosity increases as integration decreases, this is a consequence of people locking themselves into their ethnic/religious group. Muslims have more difficulties integrating, mainly due to cultural and religious differences.