It's amazing the French see identity more in soil they were born on, than their faith?

How much do you know about the history of French culture, willhelm? Can't be much, if you find this surprising. Lay culture in France has a long history of animosity toward the Church. Gallicanism started up in the 14th century or so, and laïcité has been around since the Revolution. Personally, I never know how to interpret stuff like this. The Pew surveys are very good, but what does a question like, "Do you identify more as a Frenchman or as a Catholic?," actually mean? It's like asking me whether I identify more as male or white.

I did not say is was surprising. I would fully expect these results. In fact, I would have thought the variance much larger. I was just pointing out my interest and my inability to understand this thinking.
I also understand the French see Christianity mor as a birthright, than a religion.

It's like asking me whether I identify more as male or white.

And this is a good example. If more people found identity in the color of their skin (soil), rather than sexual identity (faith), I would be shocked.