Albania

Albania was the world's first officially atheist country. Religion was banned there in 1967; anyone caught worshipping, publicly or privately, suffered severe penalties. But religion recrudesced as communism collapsed in the early 1990s. Now mosques and churches are being built across the country as other countries, including the United States, infuse the tiny Balkan nation with money.

About 70% of Albanians are Muslim, 20% Albanian Orthodox, and 10% Catholic - but it is thought that only a quarter of the population actually worships. There, religion is more of a cultural symbol than a spiritual belief, which explains why Albanians like to think of themselves as religiously tolerant. Marriage between people of different faiths are common and people of one religion often celebrate the holidays of others.

But as with just about any religion, the crazies have to screw it up. Although still a rarity, the beards and garb of Muslim fundamentalists can be seen on some of the streets and more than 600 Albanians have gone abroad to study Islam before coming home to teach. The Albanian constitution guarantees freedom of religion and some important leaders stand firm in their belief and opposition against religious extremism.