In Depth:  Spain

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Spain ‘becoming increasingly secular’

Spain ‘becoming increasingly secular’
Luke Randall
Luke Randall

The presence of religion in Spain is in decline, with almost half of the nation’s population identifying as non-religious, according to a new study.

Just 54% of those surveyed for the Barometer on Religion and Beliefs in Spain (BREC) 2025, viewed themselves as religious, while 42% said otherwise, highlighting a national move towards secularism.

Evangelical good news in Spain

Evangelical good news in Spain
Luke Randall
Luke Randall

Evangelical venues account for more than half of Spain’s non-Catholic worship places, ahead of 16 other minority religious groups, and more than double that of Islam, which was its closest challenger.

New data has revealed that of the 8,140 non-Catholic worship places, 4,572 are evangelical, with particularly strong representation present in Catalonia, Madrid and Andalusia, according to Evangelical Focus.

Evangelicalism grows in Catalonia

Evangelicalism grows in Catalonia
Luke Randall
Luke Randall

The number of evangelical worship places in Catalonia has increased by 100 in four years, making it the religious tradition which has experienced the “most significant growth” during the last 20 years.

There were 889 evangelical worship places as of 2024, 100 more than in 2020, which continues a steady pattern of growth which began in the late 19th century, mostly due to Pentecostal churches, according to the Religious Map of Catalonia.

Spain: Therapy ban ‘totalitarian’

Spain: Therapy ban ‘totalitarian’
Luke Randall
Luke Randall

The Spanish Evangelical Alliance (AEE) has claimed that new proposals to punish conversion therapy practices with stricter sanctions, including jail terms, are akin to the “anti-conversion laws of totalitarian regimes”.

Spain’s Social Democratic Party have proposed that conversion therapy practices should be included within the Spanish Penal Code. This would see anyone who engages in any form of coercive procedure to “modify, repress, eliminate or deny” someone’s sexual orientation, identity or expression face the possibility of jail terms of six months to two years, according to Evangelical Focus.

Fiestas and faith: a clash of cultures
letter from Spain

Fiestas and faith: a clash of cultures
Trevor Ramsey
Trevor Ramsey

In the middle of November each year, the streets of Benidorm on Spain’s Costa Blanca are transformed by two very different fiestas. Benidorm loves a good fiesta.

Firstly, the Spanish enjoy a five day fiesta which is a strange mixture of the weird, wacky and wonderful. Each morning at 8am fireworks are set off in order ‘to awaken the sleeping spirits’. There are various cultural events but also rather sombre parades of statues of the Virgin Mary, accompanied by throngs of elegantly dressed young people and myriads of flowers. It is hard not to be moved by the solemnity of it all yet to feel, as Paul did in Athens, that this is nothing short of religious ignorance – certainly far removed from the liberating gospel of Christ.

Evangelicals help after deadly Spanish flood

Evangelicals help after deadly Spanish flood
Luke Randall
Luke Randall

Members of Iglesia de Jesuscristo (which essentially means Christchurch) have been contributing to the relief effort in Valencia, following the disastrous flooding recently seen in the city.

Over 200 people have died after the Eastern Spanish city and its surrounding area was hammered with a year’s worth of rain fall in just eight hours. Julian Milson (pictured with his wife Nicky), who works with Crosslinks, revealed that church members from the Spanish Reformed episcopal congregation have gone with thousands of others into affected areas by bus to assist with the humanitarian effort and cleanup. Milson said that volunteers have been ‘put to good use’, but that the organisation of assistance on the ground has been ‘patchy’.

The battle in Benidorm

The battle in Benidorm
Trevor Ramsey
Trevor Ramsey

In the first week of October, the bars and restaurants of Benidorm’s busy beachfront and area known as 'The Strip' were bustling and alive with many UK holidaymakers, enjoying some autumnal sunshine before returning to the harsh rigours of a British winter.

There was noise and colour, raucous laughter and angry exchanges on the streets and the walkways. The bouncers and security personnel were earning their money! Groups of Stag Dos and Hen Parties roamed the streets in packs searching out the next place of entertainment.

Reaching 'laid back' expats with Christ
letter from Spain

Reaching 'laid back' expats with Christ
Trevor Ramsey
Trevor Ramsey

The large expat population who sit around Benidorm’s bars and clubs any afternoon all year round are a strong minded, independent bunch. Thousands have made the ‘big move’ and have come to Spain for the laid back lifestyle. They look forward to no work, no time pressures, no stress.

Generally, they no longer like being told what to do, how to live their life or, especially, or what they should believe. Truth is not sought after. After many years of hard graft in the 'rat race' the prospect of a sunny climate and a cool drink, not having to think too much while watching the sunset seems irresistibly appealing - at least for a time.

God at work - even in Benidorm
letter from Spain

God at work - even in Benidorm
Trevor Ramsey
Trevor Ramsey

It started as a normal Friday. We had gathered in the rented church building in Benidorm to remember our Lord’s death with the breaking of the bread - a service which we held every Friday morning. It was just a small gathering but we are always aware that we are honouring Christ and always expectant for lives to be changed.

About 20 were about to start worshipping the Lord when a young lady walked in. She was bilingual with an English mother and Spanish father - one of the thousands of similar individuals along Spain’s famous Costa Blanca.

Seedy clubs, drugs & alcohol... but the gospel too!
letter from Spain

Seedy clubs, drugs & alcohol... but the gospel too!
Trevor Ramsey
Trevor Ramsey

Located on Spain’s sunny Costa Blanca, the town of Benidorm is known for many things - only a few of them are particularly healthy! Through popular TV programmes, such as Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun, A Place in the Sun or the sitcom Benidorm, many UK citizens have got a taste of life on the sunny coast.

Benidorm is still a very popular holiday destination - indeed nearly 800,000 UK tourists flock there every summer, seeking the perfect holiday of sun, sea and sand. Parts of the town are beautiful and peaceful but certain areas are awash with decadence and immorality, fuelled by excessive alcohol and a lax drug use policy, particularly on 'The Strip', the notorious street full of bars and seedy clubs. It’s a veritable hive of activity and noise and depravity, especially when the sun goes down.

Spain: gender change on demand

Spain: gender change on demand
Iain Taylor / Evangelical Focus

The Spanish Government has approved a proposed change to the law which is likely to mean no medical or legal report will be needed to process a sex change.

The preliminary draft law approved by the Spanish Cabinet will soon be discussed in the national Parliament and is widely expected to become law.

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