By Rev Steve Hollinghurst.
This is my overall response based on analysis of the survey data. For more detailed analysis please download the full document here: http://www.churcharmy.org.uk/ms/sc/Evangelism/sfc_tomorrows_evangelism.aspx
It has long been held by anyone dealing in social survey data that the census figure of those claiming Christianity as their religion cannot be taken as a demonstration of the number of UK residents who are Christian. Unfortunately some Christian voices have chosen to speak in public as if this is not the case. This survey, commissioned by Richard Dawkins, adds to the evidence that we cannot claim that most people in Britain are Christian.
However, what it meant for people to tick ‘Christian’ in the census was not clear. Dawkins has very usefully added to our knowledge through this survey by addressing those questions directly. What this survey shows is that about 18% of the population indicated they were Christian because they were followers of the Christian religion. Other indicators show similar percentages attending church as part of their religious practice and even more holding traditional Christian beliefs.
The majority who ticked Christian do not fall into this category. However, as is backed up by other data, these people on the whole believe in God or some kind of spiritual being, as well as other beliefs; sometimes from Christianity, sometimes not. Even so, the majority of those who are not committed followers still identify with Christianity because of its moral teaching, which they also tend to associate with the bible as a moral guide. However, this cannot be taken by Christians as support for traditional views on homosexual rights, abortion or the place of Christianity as a state religion; most who say they are Christian do not support these things. But neither can it be claimed, as Dawkins attempts, that this shows these people see religion as something for private and not public life.
If Dawkins’ argument – that the majority of people who ticked ‘Christian’ really can’t be seen as such – is true, those who can be seen as committed Christians are still a larger group than those who share his secular atheist views, and far larger still are those who see Christianity as important for moral guidance. This means that far from showing that Christianity should have no role in public life this survey makes a good case for a role for Christianity as part of national moral debate, supported by about 40% of the population, far more than those who identify with secular atheism which at best accounts for 15% based on other survey data.
Thank you for this it is very encouraging to see that 40% of the population in the UK still see Christian morals important at least. I seen the debate on TV the other day and Dawkins seemed afraid to get into a real conversation with the Bishop which I also found encouraging.
Posted by Phil | February 16, 2012, 1:57 pmIt would be interesting to do similar research on people who believe in evolution without Divine involvement, and ask them how much they really understand about it, and how many have read the basic text (The Origin of Species). So how many are ‘real’ evolution believers?
I think the Dawkins research shows that there are a lot of people who are ‘not far from the Kingdom’ and are simply as confused as many in the church in the strange world of Post-Christendom. And their gut feeling that there is perhaps too much religion in our present formal expressions of Christian faith is probably right.
Posted by David Muir | February 16, 2012, 7:47 pmDavid i think you are probably right about a sizable group who are not far at all but still see the church as instructional. my next research bulletin looks at belief in relation to frequency of church attendance and i think it points to some interesting things about this group who are also often infrequent church attendees but also very much part of the group in which New Age and Pagan beleifs are common too.
Posted by Steve Hollinghurst | February 17, 2012, 1:19 pmA helpful response Steve and an encouraging one for Christians to be engaged in the public sphere and to help discern the public good
Posted by Paul Thaxter | February 17, 2012, 9:50 amthanks Paul
Posted by Steve Hollinghurst | February 17, 2012, 1:19 pmGood analysis. The survey shows the strength, not weakness, of ‘cultural Christianity’, closely connected, as you point out, wiht belief in its moral teaching. Religion and culture are closely connected, which can be a great strength and also be a hidrance to true faith. See further comments at http://www.southasianconcern.org/news_and_blog
Thank ou
Robin Thomson
Posted by Robin Thomson | February 21, 2012, 8:48 amRobin i think we underestimate it from this – and i may have myself..the question then may be how do the churches engage with this?
Posted by Steve Hollinghurst | February 25, 2012, 1:00 amI find it odd that someone should think that the existence of God could rest purely on the outcome of a consumer survey or opinion poll. Real science is not conducted in this way – we don’t take it that the existence of atoms depends on how many people believe in them. They existed long before Dalton came along. If something exists objectively it does not matter how many or few people believe it. The dinosaurs did not believe in asteroids did they, but that did not stop one influencing their existence !
Posted by fernsbrother | March 3, 2012, 5:12 pm