As Cameron says UK “still a Christian country”, 62% Say Not Religious

[tay]

Polling conducted in the run-up to Easter has found that almost two-thirds of Britons describe themselves as "not religious."


In his Easter message, Prime Minister David Cameron claimed the UK was "still a Christian country," but YouGov found overwhelming lack of religion in the UK in its latest poll on religion and belief.


62% said they were not religious, compared to just 36% who said they were, while 68% said that religion was "not important" to their own life. Despite over a third of Britons claiming they were religious, only 29% said that religion was "important" to them.


Belief in God showed another sharp difference between younger and older demographic groups. Under-24s are far more likely to believe in neither a god, nor a "higher spiritual power." 47% of 18 to 24s do not believe in either, compared with 27% of over 60s. The NSS has previously welcomed similar polling as bolstering the case for a secular UK, as young people are far less likely to be religious than older generations.


The YouGov figures showed that Easter was devoid of religious meaning for most Britons, with only 13% saying that religion was the "most important part of Easter." Among under-24s this figure was just 8%.


Church attendance over Easter has declined as well, with 83% saying they were not intending to attend church over the Easter weekend. This is four points higher than when that same question was asked in 2013. Belief in the key tenet of Easter — the resurrection of Jesus — has also fallen, with 50% saying Christ did "not come back to life after crucifixion." Under 24s, again, were far more likely to not believe than over 60s. 63% of 18 to 24 year olds said the resurrection did not happen.


Despite this, David Cameron in his Easter message said that "we should feel proud to say, 'this is a Christian country.'" The Prime Minister repeated that whilst the UK "welcomes and accepts all faiths and none", Britain was "still a Christian country."


The Prime Minister praised Christians for living out their religious beliefs in faith schools, and took credit for investing "tens of millions to repair churches" and for the passage of the Local Government (Religious Etc. Observances) Act, which enables councils to hold prayers in their official meetings.


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National Secular Society - As Cameron says UK “still a Christian country�, 62% tell YouGov they are “not religious�

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

Nothing like batting around undefined loaded terms to make a great poll.

 

[petros]

Until they are in palliative care then they all are all of a sudden Religious.

 

[Blackleaf]

The UK is a Christian country. Initiatives should be undertaken, though, to get more people to attend Church of England services on a more regular basis and to keep the Church of England at the heart of Britain and our communities, especially to counter the rise of religions like Islamism.

It's time to make the local church the centre of our social life again.

 

[petros]

The UK is a Christian country. Initiatives should be undertaken, though, to get more people to attend Church of England services on a more regular basis and to keep the Church of England at the heart of Britain and our communities, especially to counter the rise of religions like Islamism.

It's time to make the local church the centre of our social life again.

The fastest dying Sect on the planet. Thank God.

 

[Blackleaf]

The fastest dying Sect on the planet. Thank God.

Thankfully, it isn't the "fastest-dying 'sect' on the planet."

A sect is a group of people with somewhat different religious beliefs (typically regarded as heretical) from those of a larger group to which they belong. The Church of England is, by far, the largest religion in Britain and is the state church. It is not a sect. It is the established, national religion and is protected by Magna Carta.

 

[petros]

It's a dying sect.

 

[Blackleaf]

It's a dying sect.

Bull****.

A sect is a group of people with somewhat different religious beliefs (typically regarded as heretical) from those of a larger group to which they belong. The Church of England is, by far, the largest religion in Britain and is the state church. It is not a sect. It is the established, national religion and is protected by Magna Carta.

Catholicism can be more accurately described as a sect in the United Kingdom.

 

[petros]

Ageing Church of England 'will be dead in 20 years' - Telegraph

sect
sekt/
noun
a group of people with somewhat different religious beliefs (typically regarded as heretical) from those of a larger group to which they belong.
synonyms: (religious) cult, religious group, denomination, persuasion, religious order; More
derogatory
a group that has separated from an established church; a nonconformist church.
synonyms: (religious) cult, religious group, denomination, persuasion, religious order; More
a philosophical or political group, especially one regarded as extreme or dangerous.

 

[Blackleaf]

Churches will use Magna Carta anniversary to 'reassert Britain’s Christian heritage'

The Church of England’s General Synod to debate a motion calling on churches in England to organise street parties to celebrate the anniversary

The Magna Carta being signed by King John, 1215 - illustration by John Leech Photo: ALAMY


By John Bingham, Religious Affairs Editor
13 Jun 2014
The Telegraph

Churches are planning a campaign to use the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta to reassert Britain’s Christian heritage.

It comes amid fears within the Church of England that the role of religion in shaping the charter of June 1215 could be “airbrushed” from history and that the commemorations will be “hijacked” by human rights lawyers and politicians.

The Church’s General Synod is to debate a motion tomorrow calling on churches in England to ring their bells and organise street parties to celebrate the anniversary.

It follows complaints that the role of Christianity in bringing about the abolition of the slave trade was largely overlooked in commemorations seven years ago.

The call comes amid debate over whether Britain remains a “Christian” country, a claim made by David Cameron but rejected by secularists.

Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury, played a central role in drafting the charter, which was signed by King John at Runnymede, Surrey. At least 11 other bishops were present.

A briefing note issued to members of the Synod reads: “The Church in England was central to the development of legal and human rights centuries before the French Revolution, now generally credited (along with the Enlightenment) for the secular genesis of human rights: the first parties to the charter were the bishops – led by Stephen Langton of Canterbury, who was a major drafter and mediator between the king and the barons; and its first and last clauses state that 'the Church in England shall be free’.

“It is important that the Church’s crucial role in Magna Carta and its rights is not air-brushed out in 2015 – as was the role of Christians in the anti-slave trade celebrations.”

Keith Malcouronne, who represents the Runnymede area on the Synod and is behind the motion, added: “We don’t want this to be hijacked by politicians saying, 'it is our charter, we are the heirs of this’. It is far bigger than an underpinning of the structures of our society.”

He added: “Recognising the importance of Magna Carta, when its 800th anniversary is celebrated next year, the Church should play a leading part in the celebrations.

“We can highlight the Church’s pivotal role in reconciliation across society and securing some very fundamental human rights.

“We should look around us today and into the future as we live out that vocation – serving the common good, defending the weak and powerless, and seeking freedom for those facing modern-day exploitation and deprivation.”


Churches will use Magna Carta anniversary to 'reassert Britain’s Christian heritage' - Telegraph

 

[damngrumpy]

Oh God what a topic people are not making the church the center of community
nor should they. This idea of bowing to books and beliefs established over two
thousand years ago without question is not in keeping with the times.
Religion has an agenda like no other it is hell bent on teaching people to obey
and for God sake don't think for yourself directly opposite of what it is supposed
to do. Some are becoming more spiritual but more defined religious no

 

[Blackleaf]

Ageing Church of England 'will be dead in 20 years' - Telegraph ./quote]


Church of England attendances 'stabilising'


The long decline in Anglican churchgoing is levelling off, the Church of England has said.

The figures also suggested a continuing large presence of "nominal" Anglicans - those who believe in God but only go to church occasionally.

Christmas churchgoing rose by 14% and the number of baptisms also rose.

The annual Church of England statistics also showed an increase in cathedral attendances.

The figures showed a 14.5% increase in Christmas attendance between 2010 and 2011, reaching a total of more than 2.6 million.

A spokesman for the Church of England said the rise was partly attributable to poor weather on Christmas Day in 2010.

But he added that figures from last year suggested another increase in Christmas attendance, indicating that churchgoing at Christmas was growing in popularity.

The number of christenings increased by 4.3% and was accompanied by a rise of just over 5% in adult baptisms, the figures showed.

Thanksgivings for the birth of a child also rose by 11.9%.

Weddings saw a slight decrease of 3.6% in 2011, to 51,880, whilst the number of wedding blessings - services of prayer and thanksgiving following a civil ceremony - was up by 4.5%.

The Rt Rev Graham James, the Bishop of Norwich, said: "These figures are a welcome reminder of the work and service undertaken by the Church of England annually - 1,000 couples married, 2,600 baptisms celebrated and over 3,000 funerals conducted every week of the year.

"The attendance figures are heartening, especially the very strong growth in Christmas Day attendance.

"The encouraging news of further growth to come even on these high figures is very welcome and points to a growing trend.

"Also welcome is the stabilising of the numbers of those who attend church services on a weekly basis.

"With almost half of our dioceses showing growth, there is a quiet confidence underlying these figures."



Church of England attendances 'stabilising' - BBC News

 

[petros]

Oh God what a topic people are not making the church the center of community
nor should they. This idea of bowing to books and beliefs established over two
thousand years ago without question is not in keeping with the times.
Religion has an agenda like no other it is hell bent on teaching people to obey
and for God sake don't think for yourself directly opposite of what it is supposed
to do. Some are becoming more spiritual but more defined religious no

Not keeping with the times? Neither is Huck Finn but the story conveys the same message

Ageing Church of England 'will be dead in 20 years' - Telegraph ./quote]


Church of England attendances 'stabilising'


The long decline in Anglican churchgoing is levelling off, the Church of England has said.

The figures also suggested a continuing large presence of "nominal" Anglicans - those who believe in God but only go to church occasionally.

Christmas churchgoing rose by 14% and the number of baptisms also rose.

The annual Church of England statistics also showed an increase in cathedral attendances.

The figures showed a 14.5% increase in Christmas attendance between 2010 and 2011, reaching a total of more than 2.6 million.

A spokesman for the Church of England said the rise was partly attributable to poor weather on Christmas Day in 2010.

But he added that figures from last year suggested another increase in Christmas attendance, indicating that churchgoing at Christmas was growing in popularity.

The number of christenings increased by 4.3% and was accompanied by a rise of just over 5% in adult baptisms, the figures showed.

Thanksgivings for the birth of a child also rose by 11.9%.

Weddings saw a slight decrease of 3.6% in 2011, to 51,880, whilst the number of wedding blessings - services of prayer and thanksgiving following a civil ceremony - was up by 4.5%.

The Rt Rev Graham James, the Bishop of Norwich, said: "These figures are a welcome reminder of the work and service undertaken by the Church of England annually - 1,000 couples married, 2,600 baptisms celebrated and over 3,000 funerals conducted every week of the year.

"The attendance figures are heartening, especially the very strong growth in Christmas Day attendance.

"The encouraging news of further growth to come even on these high figures is very welcome and points to a growing trend.

"Also welcome is the stabilising of the numbers of those who attend church services on a weekly basis.

"With almost half of our dioceses showing growth, there is a quiet confidence underlying these figures."



Church of England attendances 'stabilising' - BBC News

Byebye Anglicans! It was a pleasure shootin' at ya while we still could.

 

[Cliffy]

 

[petros]

You fall deeper into the abyss everyday....poor guy.

 

[Blackleaf]

Not keeping with the times? Neither is Huck Finn but the story conveys the same message

Byebye Anglicans! It was a pleasure shootin' at ya while we still could.

The long decline in Anglican churchgoing is levelling off, the Church of England has said.

The figures also suggested a continuing large presence of "nominal" Anglicans - those who believe in God but only go to church occasionally.

Christmas churchgoing rose by 14% and the number of baptisms also rose.

The annual Church of England statistics also showed an increase in cathedral attendances.

 

[MHz]

Considering the Tower of London was part of the UK Church a decline is a good thing. Perhaps the 62% is just counting the elites and the Royals as having a say.