I need a longer look and reflection on the census figures released
yesterday. However, the headlines, mostly picked up from the car radio, are already
very illuminating. The number of those, identifying themselves as Christians,
is down from 72% to 59%, whereas the increase of those claiming no religious
faith has risen sharply from 14% to 25%. Of course, these figures do not have,
either any meaningful connection to actual attendance at a weekly Christian
gathering for worship, or help us understand much more than Christendom is
still alive, albeit waning fast. Maybe these figures will help us in the
Church, to acknowledge what someone, at least, has been saying for 2000 years –
there is no point trying to put new wine into old wineskins.
Here's a four minute clip, from the Office of National Statistics, which is an excellent video summary of the changes in Religion in England and Wales, recorded by the 2011 census.
http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census/2011-census/key-statistics-for-local-authorities-in-england-and-wales/video-summary-religion.html
Here's a four minute clip, from the Office of National Statistics, which is an excellent video summary of the changes in Religion in England and Wales, recorded by the 2011 census.
http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census/2011-census/key-statistics-for-local-authorities-in-england-and-wales/video-summary-religion.html
1 comment:
Nigel,
I'm really glad to have discovered your excellent blog. I, too, was intrigued by the findings of the census about religiosity in the UK. Perhaps the church in the UK will finally wake up to the fact that revival is NOT imminent and that we need to prepare ourselves for the new post-Christendom context by developing new Christ-centres paradigms of missional living and radical discipleship.
Blessings,
JTS
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