Christians now a minority in England and Wales for first time

[Jimbuna]

Christians now account for less than half of the UK population for the first time in census history, government figures reveal.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) results show that 46.2 per cent of the population (27.5 million people) described themselves as 'Christian' in 2021. This marks a 13.1 percentage point decrease from 59.3 per cent (33.3 million people) in 2011.

The census data also shows that every major religion increased over the ten-year period, except for Christianity.

Despite this decrease, 'Christian' remained the most common response to the question about religion. 'No religion' was the second most common response, increasing to 37.2 per cent (22.2 million) from 25.2 per cent (14.1 million) across the ten-year period.

The Archbishop of York, the Most Rev Stephen Cottrell, said it was "not a great surprise" that there is a declining number of Christians in the UK, but it was important to remember that Christianity is "the largest movement on Earth".

However, Humanists UK said the Census "should be a wake-up call which prompts fresh reconsiderations of the role of religion in society".

Other results from the census show that in 2021, 81.7 per cent (48.7 million) of usual residents in England and Wales identified their ethnic group within the 'White' category - a decrease from 86.0 per cent (48.2 million) in the 2011 Census.

The next most common ethnic group was 'Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh', accounting for 9.3 per cent (5.5 million) of the overall population. This ethnic group saw the largest increase from 2011, up from 7.5 per cent (4.2 million people).

Researchers also found that the most common main languages other than English (English or Welsh in Wales) were: Polish (1.1 per cent, 612,000), Romanian (0.8 per cent, 472,000), Panjabi (0.5 per cent, 291,000), and Urdu (0.5 per cent, 270,000).

Responding to the religion data, the Archbishop said: "It’s not a great surprise that the census shows fewer people in this country identifying as Christian than in the past, but it still throws down a challenge to us not only to trust that God will build his kingdom on Earth, but also to play our part in making Christ known.

"We have left behind the era when many people almost automatically identified as Christian, but other surveys consistently show how the same people still seek spiritual truth and wisdom and a set of values to live by."

The Archbishop added that Christianity continues to play a major role in secular society, especially during the current cost of living crisis.

"This winter - perhaps more so than for a long time – people right across the country, some in desperate need, will be turning to their local church, not only for spiritual hope but practical help," he said.

"We will be there for them, in many cases, providing food and warmth. And at Christmas millions of people will still come to our services."

However, Andrew Copson, the chief executive of Humanists UK, said the "biggest demographic change in England and Wales of the last ten years has been the dramatic growth of the non-religious. They mean the UK is almost certainly one of the least religious countries on Earth".

He added: "No state in Europe has such a religious set-up as we do in terms of law and public policy, while at the same time having such a non-religious population.

"Iran is the only other state in the world that has clerics voting in its legislature. And no other country in the world requires compulsory Christian worship in schools as standard.

"The law has failed to keep up with the pace of change, and as a result, the enormous non-religious population in England and Wales face everyday discrimination – from getting local school places to receiving appropriate emotional support in hospitals.

Other results from the religion data show that between 2011 and 2021, the Muslim population increased from 4.9 per cent to 6.5 per cent (2.7 to 3.9 million), the Sikh population grew from 0.8 per cent to 0.9 per cent (423,000 to 524,000), and the number of Buddhists rose from 0.4 per cent to 0.5 per cent (249,000 to 273,000).

Furthermore, the number of Hindus increased from 1.5 per cent to 1.7 pre cent (818,000 to 1 million), and the Jewish population rose from 265,000 to 271,000 (both at 0.5 per cent).
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/news/christians-now-a-minority-in-england-and-wales-for-first-time/ar-AA14Goth?ocid=mailsignout&pc=U591&cvid=c23c6b481ad44f589fa59aad9d9adcc9

Very thought provoking and probably best if I don't state my opinion on the matter.

[mapuc]

Wrong input

Markus

[Onkel Neal]

So, when does a nation cease being that nation and become a different nation?

[Commander Wallace]

So, when does a nation cease being that nation and become a different nation?



To that, I would add, It's only a problem if a country loses it's national identity and to people determined to undermine the values a country holds most dear.

[Jimbuna]

So, when does a nation cease being that nation and become a different nation?

Good question and one that would take a great deal of thought before answering.

To that, I would add, It's only a problem if a country loses it's national identity and to people determined to undermine the values a country holds most dear.

True that but illegal immigration is becoming more problematic with each passing month and that is causing a rapid growth in the number of UK citizens who believe we as a nation are reaching just that point.

I sense trouble may well lie ahead.

[Commander Wallace]

Good question and one that would take a great deal of thought before answering.



True that but illegal immigration is becoming more problematic with each passing month and that is causing a rapid growth in the number of UK citizens who believe we as a nation are reaching just that point.

I sense trouble may well lie ahead.


I can understand where you and your country are. We in the United States are facing the same situation with those from South America and Mexico. With the huge influx of numbers coming in, this isn't immigration. This is an invasion where the U.S citizenry is being made responsible for them, against our collective will.


The rules need to be changed to not favor any kind of immigration. Unfortunately, with the Democrats, This isn't happening any time soon.

[Jimbuna]

I can understand were you and your country are. We in the United States are facing the same situation with those from South America and Mexico. With the huge influx of numbers coming in, this isn't immigration. This is an invasion where the U.S citizenry is being made responsible for them, against our collective will.


The rules need to be changed to not favor any kind of immigration. Unfortunately, with the Democrats, This isn't happening any time soon.

Without wishing to take a political stance I fully agree with you but I blame the politicians of the day over here in the UK irregardless of their political affinity.

[MGR1]

I would rather a secular country that does not favour any one religion, rather than one where a particular faith is embedded within the governing framework. The presence of representatives of the Church of England in the Lords has always generated suspicion in Scotland due to the fact that the Church of Scotland has never been a state church by it's own volition so as to preserve it's own freedon of belief and worship.

Having written that, I will freely admit I detest the Kirk and it's various splinter denominations due to the corrosive effect they've had on Scottish society ever since the 16th-17th century. It has to be acknowledged that almost everything an Englishman doesn't like about Scotland can be traced to the Kirk and it's humourless, hypocritical, bigoted, Calvinist Presbyterian ideology.

Mike.

[mapuc]

Every country has a soul-What kind of soul it is-depends on who you ask in the country.

A country is build upon some belief, Denmark and it's law is based on Christianity.

The danger lay in the democracy-They(foreigners)Could get together and create a party and this party could one day become the only leading party in the Parliament.

Markus

[Commander Wallace]

Without wishing to take a political stance I fully agree with you but I blame the politicians of the day over here in the UK irregardless of their political affinity.


I didn't want to view these issues within a political context. However, because politics in the U.S are so polarized, the Republicans view " immigration " for what it is. The Democrats are just blind and clueless. POTUS Biden has pledged support for the Ukraine. I completely agree with this but his views on " immigration " are just shall we say, Ill conceived.

[mapuc]

When I read things where people accuse the Politicians I keep on forgetting that the voters have no responsibility in what they do in the voting box-whatsoever.

Markus

[Jimbuna]

I didn't want to view these issues within a political context. However, because politics in the U.S are so polarized, the Republicans view " immigration " for what it is. The Democrats are just blind and clueless. POTUS Biden has pledged support fir the Ukraine. I completely agree with this but his views on " immigration " are just shall we say, Ill conceived.

Fair comment :yep:

[ExFishermanBob]

I would rather a secular country that does not favour any one religion, rather than one where a particular faith is embedded within the governing framework. The presence of representatives of the Church of England in the Lords has always generated suspicion in Scotland due to the fact that the Church of Scotland has never been a state church by it's own volition so as to preserve it's own freedon of belief and worship.

Having written that, I will freely admit I detest the Kirk and it's various splinter denominations due to the corrosive effect they've had on Scottish society ever since the 16th-17th century. It has to be acknowledged that almost everything an Englishman doesn't like about Scotland can be traced to the Kirk and it's humourless, hypocritical, bigoted, Calvinist Presbyterian ideology.

Mike.


Well, yes, but they did give us that joke about having sex standing up.

[Kptlt. Neuerburg]

I think part of the reason for the "decline" in religion is in part to the church failing to keep up with modern society. Plus younger generations don't really care too much about God when you have the God called social media. I personally tend to agree more with George Carlin about religion but I respect those who practice it just as long as they don't try to force it down my throat, I dealt with enough Mormons to make me sick of religion for the rest of my life.

[Buddahaid]

I think part of the reason for the "decline" in religion is in part to the church failing to keep up with modern society. Plus younger generations don't really care too much about God when you have the God called social media. I personally tend to agree more with George Carlin about religion but I respect those who practice it just as long as they don't try to force it down my throat, I dealt with enough Mormons to make me sick of religion for the rest of my life.

Just looking at the data it appears to me the decline is mostly due to the "no religion" gain and not the influx of other religions.

"The Office for National Statistics (ONS) results show that 46.2 per cent of the population (27.5 million people) described themselves as 'Christian' in 2021. This marks a 13.1 percentage point decrease from 59.3 per cent (33.3 million people) in 2011.

The census data also shows that every major religion increased over the ten-year period, except for Christianity.

Despite this decrease, 'Christian' remained the most common response to the question about religion. 'No religion' was the second most common response, increasing to 37.2 per cent (22.2 million) from 25.2 per cent (14.1 million) across the ten-year period."

That aside and the following comment about US immigration, I would point out those US immigrants referred to are likely Christian which is what the topic is about.

"I can understand where you and your country are. We in the United States are facing the same situation with those from South America and Mexico. With the huge influx of numbers coming in, this isn't immigration. This is an invasion where the U.S citizenry is being made responsible for them, against our collective will.


The rules need to be changed to not favor any kind of immigration. Unfortunately, with the Democrats, This isn't happening any time soon."

[Ostfriese]

It‘s much like in Germany, where the number of „christians“ has been in decline for at least two decade. People are leaving the two major Christian churches (Catholic and Lutheran) in droves. Both churches have been marred in scandals, are stuck with antiquated structures and even more antiquated ideas and procedures.
And before you come up with immigration: Christian immigrants (mostly from Eastern Europe and either Catholics or Orthodox) outnumber immigrants with different religions by quite a margin.

[Commander Wallace]

It‘s much like in Germany, where the number of „christians“ has been in decline for at least two decade. People are leaving the two major Christian churches (Catholic and Lutheran) in droves. Both churches have been marred in scandals, are stuck with antiquated structures and even more antiquated ideas and procedures.
And before you come up with immigration: Christian immigrants (mostly from Eastern Europe and either Catholics or Orthodox) outnumber immigrants with different religions by quite a margin.


While there is a lot of truth to what you are saying, there is way more to it. Those that designate themselves as Christians take in a wide number of denominations. Take Martin Luther who comes from your own Germany. Martin Luther was the man behind the Protestant reformation and of the Lutheran Church. Martin Luther was a Christian as well. Of course, Martin Luther ran afoul of the powers that be for being against receiving dispensations in exchange for monetary payments to the pope or other religious authorities for their inequities.



That doesn't take into account Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists or the other many and varied denominations. They too consider themselves as Christians and why not. If the Bible is central to their faith, then it's all good. England, the U.S and I'm guessing Germany are no different.



The Catholic Church as you pointed out has been marred in one scandal after another. However, the Catholic Church, contrary to what it wants to believe is not the focal point of Christianity. My point is Christianity takes in a good number of faiths.

[Ostfriese]

While there is a lot of truth to what you are saying, there is way more to it. Those that designate themselves as Christians take in a wide number of denominations. Take Martin Luther who comes from your own Germany. Martin Luther was the man behind the Protestant reformation and of the Lutheran Church. Martin Luther was a Christian as well. Of course, Martin Luther ran afoul of the powers that be for being against receiving dispensations in exchange for monetary payments to the pope or other religious authorities for their inequities.



I'm aware that there are other Christian churches besides the two I mentioned.

The two dominant Christian churches in Germany are the Catholic (about 21.6 million followers in Germany, most of them in the south) and the Lutheran (about 19.7 million, most of them in the north). Orthodox churches make up about 1.5 million (all churches combined), all other Chrisian churches combined have no more than 900,000 followers, of which about 350,000 are members of the New Apostolic Church and about 160,000 are Jehova's witnesses.

Of the three you mentioned only the baptists have a sizeable following over here (about 80,000, less than 0.1% of the entire population).


(Disclaimer: all these numbers are from 2021).


To put these numbers into perspective: since 2013 the Catholic and the Lutheran churches have lost a combined 350,000 members every year - more than any other single Christian denomination's total number of followers.

[Moonlight]

What have the Romans ever done for us?.

Constantine the Great, was Roman emperor from AD 306 to 337, and the first to convert to Christianity, it got off to a fine start in the beginning but in later years, the power of those controlling that christian religion (The Pope, Cardinals and Bishops) morphed it into the murderous cult like religion it became.

It's always been known to me that there was never a god like figure up in heaven, or a fairy godmother or even a bloody tooth fairy, but in the medieval age the masses were not educated to the standards of today's modern era who can see beyond any doubt that it was all a load of bollocks.

Religion won't get you travelling to the stars but, with a bit of luck science will, so it's no wonder the christian faith has been in decline for decades as it has to compete against other migrant religions that are increasing on a daily basis and science which has debunked many a christian belief.

That's my opinion on christianity, yours might be different from mine so if you have a different point of view spit it out here, I'm sure it will be digested by the members. :D

[MGR1]

My thoughts also, Moonlight!:up: I'll also add the fact that religion can also be used for social coercion and societal control.

As usual the ethno-nationalists like Farage are conflating Christian=White, but their neglecting that not all Christians are white, and not all whites are Christian.

I'll post this: LINK (https://sites.marjon.ac.uk/doughnut/2022/11/29/less-than-half-of-people-identify-as-christian-census-2021-shows/)
https://cpb-eu-w2.wpmucdn.com/sites.marjon.ac.uk/dist/9/1006/files/2022/11/GRAPH-RELIGION.png

Hardly a Muslim invasion, is it?

Mike.