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The 1981 and 1990 European Values Surveys showed a decline for almost all religious variables, a decline even sharper among young people, except for belief in an afterlife. The younger the respondents, the less religious they were likely to be. These results confirmed the thesis of increasing secularization in Europe and the West. However, the most recent, 1999 survey shows this downward trend to be counterbalanced by two other tendencies: internal Christian renewal and increased ñbelieving without belonging", both phenomena that are clearly more developed among young people. The respective strengths of these three developments vary by country surveyed. The same phenomena are even more pronounced in Eastern European (former communist bloc) countries and in Russia, once again particularly among young people. The changes may be interpreted as a turning point after the break with religiosity that characterized the 1960s and 70s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the articles by Pierre Bréchon, Siniša Zrinščak et Chantal Saint-Blancat are so rich, I am simply going to add two things: (1)first, to discuss how and why differences of age or generation have come to have a dominant effect on religion from the end of the 1960s in Western and, a little later apparently, in Eastern Europe, and (2) to clarify present-day religious changes among young people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revue Française de Sociologie is the property of Presses de Sciences Po and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The 1981 and 1990 European Values surveys largely supported the thesis of increasing secularisation in Western Europe. Almost all the variables showed a religious decline, which was even deeper among young people, except for beliefs in an afterlife. Peter Berger and Grace Davie have underlined the 'European exception' in contrast to the rest of the world. However, the last survey in 1999 revealed significant changes. The downward trend is now counterbalanced by two new tendencies: a Christian renewal and the development of religiosity without belonging, especially among young people. In particular, beliefs in an afterlife are spreading. These tendencies vary according to country. Post-socialist Europe shows an even more developed religious renewal, in particular among the young. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revue Française de Sociologie is the property of Presses de Sciences Po and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Smoke inhalation is a common cause of cyanide poisoning during fires, resulting in injury and even death. In many cases of smoke inhalation, cyanide has increasingly been recognized as a significant toxicant. The diagnosis of cyanide poisoning remains very difficult, and failure to recognize it may result in inadequate or inappropriate treatment. Findings suggesting cyanide toxicity include the following: (a) a history of enclosed-space fire; (b) any alteration in the level of consciousness; (c) any cardiovascular changes (particularly inexplicable hypotension); and (d) elevated plasma lactate. The feasibility and safety of empiric treatment with hydroxocobalamin for fire smoke victims have been reported in the literature. On the basis of a literature review and a panel discussion, a group of European experts has proposed emergency management protocols for cyanide toxicity in fire smoke victims.