To ask why religion is declining in Britain

[Jackieweaver2024]

Just that really I would be interested to hear everyone’s opinions?

Because the powers that be have other ways of controlling the population these days.

Because just at the point in time when people needed hope and maybe belief in some higher power, they all shut... And no, there's no way I'm subjecting myself to any more bloody zoom than absolutely necessary

@ZoeTurtle

People are talking about Christianity because the OP specifically asked about Britain, where Christianity is the dominant religion.

Yes, but my point is that even within Britain there isn't a universal decline in 'religion' - many faiths and many particular denominations are growing. There has been a huge decline in attendance for CofE services, but that's been happening since the 1950s.

I am both amazed and touched by the optimism of those who think that critical reasoning skills in society generally have improved in recent years...

A lot of younger British Muslims think about their faith in.a different way to their parents and grandparents, especially the women.

Education.

A growing distrust of and disgust for all churches after too many abuse scandals, too many cover-ups, too much hypocrisy - involving all religions.

@mnahmnah

Yes! Sounds great, my friend was attending in central London. But sadly there isn't one set up where I am. Nice idea though.

Because currently loads of church buildings are closed?!

I thought that last year worship and fellowship actually increased as all the different virtual options made it much more accessible

Some organised religions may be in decline but certainly not all

I know many people who have felt supported and encouraged by religious groups and friends during this difficult time and it's unfair to just dismiss that

Yes there are always going to be some extremes of religion that are intolerant - but in my experience I mostly see love and care

I do find it interesting reading opinions on 'religion' that just bundle them all together when some are very different; especially if they have not personally had experience or know people that have

As in everything, there are both nice and horrible religious, atheist and agnostic people!

You first, OP.

A lack of faith?

Covid certainly isn't helping anyone because a lot of churches are shut.

Hardbackwriter makes a number of good points. Even Christianity in Britain can’t be homogenised: Evangelism is on the rise.
Plus, church attendance does not equate to belief, and belief is tricky to quantify anyway. Studies strongly suggest that the its doctrinal religion that is in decline not religion per se (although Islam bucks this trend). Most people who claim no religion are quite spiritual and as such vernacular belief systems remain high.
In the USA the pandemic has increased belief in a Deity and it may be the case here: not sure studies have been done on that yet.

Education, ha. There's loads of ignorance on this thread. I think the real reason isn't that we're all better educated and critical thinkers - some of the best of both I know are religious. But because we've become an increasingly individualistic and nasty little country. Why love your neighbour let alone love an immigrant - and people think this is somehow progressive.

Better understanding evolution. The scientific version - not the ‘big man in the clouds that created the world in 7 days version’.

If you believe that the planets have been here for millions of years and that dinosaurs existed millions of years ago (there’s pretty good evidence to suggest this is the truth going by the fossils/bones etc....) then it’s pretty hard to also believe the earth is only a few thousand years old and that a mysterious man ‘made it.... ’

I know where I’m edging my bets!

Imo it was away of controlling the masses where there was no technology to assume anything else. ‘If you don’t do this that and the other you’ll go to hell’ so that would put the fear in people that didn’t have any evidence otherwise to adopt critical thinking skills.

There’s some lovely aspects of having a faith but there’s equally some negatives. I find it frightening what some people would be willing to do in the name of religion.

I also find it fascinating that there are many different religions with different ‘gods’. Surely the question has to arise.... “why is god A the real god and the rest of gods from the other religions are fake gods, therefore not real?’

Everyone believes their god is the true god.....

I also don’t think it should have a place in today’s political/educational establishments either.

Crock of shite, that's why.

Better understanding evolution. The scientific version - not the ‘big man in the clouds that created the world in 7 days version’.

If you believe that the planets have been here for millions of years and that dinosaurs existed millions of years ago (there’s pretty good evidence to suggest this is the truth going by the fossils/bones etc....) then it’s pretty hard to also believe the earth is only a few thousand years old and that a mysterious man ‘made it.... hmm’

I don't know a single religious person who doesn't believe in evolution, or who thinks the world is only a few thousand years old.

I do know quite a few scientists who have a religious faith and regularly attend some form of worship.

Lots of reasons.

People have access to information like never before. The church no longer has the same influence, power or control - thankfully!

The more knowledgeable people are the more they will question what they are being told, whether it makes sense and what is the truth

Many atrocities have been committed because of religion or by religious figures and as these heinous acts come to light and are proven to be true I think people lose trust and respect in religion.

Education, access to knowledge and a (relatively) robust social safety net.

I would love to belong to a church and religion which aligned with my beliefs and values for the support, connections and social engagement but unfortunately I haven’t found it yet. Religions are very prescriptive so most people have to compromise on either belief or values and there is no need to do that anymore as it is socially acceptable not to belong to a church or align with a religion. Even the most dedicated are likely to be compromising. Religions are authoritarian and feed deeply into misogyny, homophobia and many other aspects which are not socially acceptable any more and rightly so. Unfortunately if they change due to social pressure they lose authority and if they don’t they lose people. It’s such a shame as the loss of a system like that makes people isolated particularly the elderly and vulnerable and the pressure goes to the state services which are unable to keep up due to funding.

@Jackieweaver2024

Just that really I would be interested to hear everyone’s opinions?

Because people are getting smarter.

People don’t believe anymore that they will go to hell if they don’t attend church.

@Hardbackwriter

Better understanding evolution. The scientific version - not the ‘big man in the clouds that created the world in 7 days version’.

If you believe that the planets have been here for millions of years and that dinosaurs existed millions of years ago (there’s pretty good evidence to suggest this is the truth going by the fossils/bones etc....) then it’s pretty hard to also believe the earth is only a few thousand years old and that a mysterious man ‘made it.... hmm’

I don't know a single religious person who doesn't believe in evolution, or who thinks the world is only a few thousand years old.

I do know quite a few scientists who have a religious faith and regularly attend some form of worship.

I actually do know some people who believe this. Because their church tells them so. Zero critical thinking involved. These people include a doctor, a former town councillor, a former archaeology/palaeontology enthusiast, & a former CofE vicar. Ask them any question that remotely challenges the boundaries of their beliefs, & you'll get the answer "I need to consult with the pastor about that". Totally brainwashed.

@hardbackwriter yes you're right. What annoys me most about these debates is about how proud people are of their opinions without knowing much about religions or people that are religious, yet claiming those of faith to be the ignorant ones. People can believe what they want, but I think it's actually really important to engage with religion and theology and to have some sort of understanding of it, even if you don't believe in it.

Religion is horribly misogynistic, but the main reason is probably the stories that came out of the horrific abuse in religious care homes and boarding schools. In all religions some of the men in power abused their position in the worst ways, and sadly their churches / mosques/ synagogues did nothing to protect the vulnerable. They were more interested in protecting the reputation of the religion. Actually not just the men in power, I had two family members bullied in primary school by nuns.

@Hardbackwriter

Better understanding evolution. The scientific version - not the ‘big man in the clouds that created the world in 7 days version’.

If you believe that the planets have been here for millions of years and that dinosaurs existed millions of years ago (there’s pretty good evidence to suggest this is the truth going by the fossils/bones etc....) then it’s pretty hard to also believe the earth is only a few thousand years old and that a mysterious man ‘made it.... hmm’

I don't know a single religious person who doesn't believe in evolution, or who thinks the world is only a few thousand years old.

I do know quite a few scientists who have a religious faith and regularly attend some form of worship.

So how can the world be a few thousand years old yet a millions at the same time?

They contradict each other that’s the problem