However, I’m happy to report that the march went off without any problems! The weather was poor, but despite that there were about 250 people there. Meanwhile, the only protest consisted of a handful of priests quietly praying at the point where the march ended. In fact, the police protection was comical, as the officers outnumbered the priests by three to one. There were some very original signs (including a flag of the Flying Spaghetti Monster!), as I’ve posted in my blog.

Having visited Poland several times and as an atheist who enjoys the religious history of a country, I wish them well. I certainly never felt that their religion was as threatening as the American religious right or the extreme Muslim views and I suspect and hope that the police protection will be unnecessary. The Poles seem to have a very accommodating and welcoming character. I just wonder if they generally make a (false) connection between atheism and communism? It would be unfortunate if there are echoes of the past into the present.