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This Christmas, for perhaps the first time ever, Britain is a majority non-religious nation
Guardian ^ | December 24, 2010

Posted on 12/27/2010 3:27:07 PM PST by NYer

Every year, researchers from the British Social Attitudes survey ask a representative sample of British people whether they regard themselves as belonging to any particular religion and, if so, to which one? When the survey first asked these questions in 1985, 63% of the respondents answered that they were Christians, compared with 34% who said they had no religion (the rest belonged to non-Christian religions).

Today, a quarter of a century on, there has been a steady and remarkable turnaround. In the latest 2010 BSA report, published earlier this month, only 42% said they were Christians while 51% now say they have no religion. Admittedly, some other surveys – including the last census – have produced different findings on these issues, usually to the advantage of the religious option. There is also a margin of error in all such exercises. All the same, and particularly since the trends in opinion over time seem well set, it is hard not to feel that this latest finding marks a cultural watershed.

This Christmas, for perhaps the first time ever, Britain is a majority non-religious nation. Most of us have probably seen this moment coming, but it is a substantial event nonetheless. It is undoubtedly a development that would have astonished our ancestors who built a Britain on the basis that we were and would remain a predominantly Protestant people. The victory of secularism would have flabbergasted them almost as much as the pope appearing on the BBC with his Thought for the Day.

The change ought certainly to inspire some national reflection, though there is no need for national breast-beating. After all, the BSA survey finding simply underscores things that have already become obvious.

(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: 2010polls; christianity; christophobia; failbritannia; religion; secularization; trends
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To: duckworth
Almost 50 years ago, Lennon predicted: “Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. I needn’t argue with that; I’m right and I will be proved right.”

That prediction has been made for 2000 years has consistently be wrong because Christianity is rooted in a relationship with God.

That is why there has been an explosion of growth in Christianity in China, Africa, Russia and South Korea.

21 posted on 12/27/2010 4:25:53 PM PST by Ol' Sparky (Liberal Republicans are the greater of two evils)
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To: the invisib1e hand; duckworth
Ummm... According to the BBC Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov (aka Lenin) died in 1924. Way more than 50 years ago.
22 posted on 12/27/2010 4:41:19 PM PST by sionnsar (IranAzadi|5yst3m 0wn3d-it's N0t Y0ur5:SONY|Why are TSA exempt from their own searches?)
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To: NYer
From the nation that gave the world William Wilberforce and CS Lewis.
Damn.
"Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly...."
23 posted on 12/27/2010 5:03:49 PM PST by Psalm 73 ("Gentlemen, you can't fight in here - this is the War Room".)
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To: duckworth

Perhaps it was not too much for Lennon to predict that f your neighbor would win out over help your neighbor. Darwinism is today’s credo. Helping your lazy neighbor is encouraging socialism.


24 posted on 12/27/2010 5:11:35 PM PST by ex-snook ("Above all things, truth beareth away the victory")
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To: sionnsar; duckworth
He's right- lennon said it, according web sources

I still think citing it as if it's been vindicated is empty-headed.

25 posted on 12/27/2010 5:14:01 PM PST by the invisib1e hand ("Three hostile newspapers are more to be feared than 200 swords" - Napoleon Bonapart)
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To: sionnsar; duckworth
He's right- lennon said it, according web sources

I still think citing it as if it's been vindicated is empty-headed.

26 posted on 12/27/2010 5:15:25 PM PST by the invisib1e hand ("Three hostile newspapers are more to be feared than 200 swords" - Napoleon Bonapart)
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To: the invisib1e hand; duckworth

No argument here. I had to check online before responding.


27 posted on 12/27/2010 5:15:52 PM PST by sionnsar (IranAzadi|5yst3m 0wn3d-it's N0t Y0ur5:SONY|Why are TSA exempt from their own searches?)
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To: LastNorwegian
I keep up with those communities via Voice of the Martyrs, they are still alive and growing beneath the radar. Iran more so. That is NOT to say everything is hunky-dory but Christianity will not be "defeated", impossible.
28 posted on 12/27/2010 5:55:22 PM PST by brushcop (CW4 Matthew Lourey CW2 Joshua Scott/ Kiowa pilots KIA Iraq '05. Thank you for our son's life.)
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To: the invisib1e hand

huh? wha? Lenin Einstein? Nah, it was Lenin McCartsky.


29 posted on 12/27/2010 8:33:39 PM PST by duckworth (Perhaps instant karma's going to get you. Perhaps not.)
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