In 2023 and if you ask the average under 40 year old they are now more likely to be atheist than Christian – the first time ever.
As countries become wealthier they become less religious (except for US)
Religious affiliation of Anglicans in UK has halved in the last 30 years
This is from nearly 100% believes 150 years ago.
Andrew Copson, the chief executive of Humanists UK, said the census results “confirm that the biggest demographic change in England and Wales of the last 10 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.
“One of the most striking things about these census results is how at odds the population is from the state itself. No state in Europe has such a religious setup as we do in terms of law and public policy, while at the same time having such a non-religious population.”
If this trend continues its likely that we will be nearly completely non religious at some point in the future.
This is quite a big change in society.
It’s important to consider why this is changing, but also what is replacing it? Are we just going from believing in god to not believing in god. Or is there a bigger change of moral, societalal beliefs happening?
Why?
Why does religion decrease when societies become wealthier?
- People don’t need religion
- We have alternatives
It could be because of:
– 1) technology – we no longer believe it because we have access to other information, or
– 2) the Welfare state / life is better – we no longer need it. Usually it’s people on lower incomes or who have conflicts or problems that need it more.
Using data from the European Social Survey, a study of 31 European countries over a 12 year period from 2002 to 2014, I found that between countries and over time, more welfare spending is associated with lower religiosity. As Figure 1 shows, religion decreases as welfare expenditure increases, at each level of GDP. Further, within countries, people with lower household income are more likely to be religious and more likely to attend religious services regularly.
What’s replacing it?
- Community: Society is reorganising in a way that isn’t centered around the local community. It’s centered around ourselves and our network. We now have cars and the internet and overseas holidays. Networks are now much more flexible, larger, and complex and dynamic.
- Beliefs – the belief structure and operating system of religion – the moral framework and motivations we have is now replaced by our own interpretations of what is right and wrong. This could be passed down from our parents and schools and those around us.
What should replace it?
Is there a danger of
1) nothing happening, we become more free, independent, and better?
2) many different things replacing it? and it pulling society apart, or
3) Some negative forces replacing it. Nature abhors a vacuum. – other forces will tend to “rush in” to fill the vacuum as soon as it is created.
I think it’s important to consider the consequences and if we should be guiding beliefs or providing some alternative beliefs and framework or support as we continue to transition to a non-religious state.
