To ask how many Christians you know in real life?

[Shutupdad]

In the census it said that now less than half of the UK identify as Christians. I am amazed it’s so high since personally I know a few elderly people and one family who are very born again/evangelical who are Christian in my real life. The vast majority of people I know are agnostic or atheist. I don’t have very strong views on religion. I’m Agnostic but I enjoy going to church on Christmas and Easter. I find there to be something comforting about the services but I can’t really describe myself as a Christian. Maybe I just live in a bubble and there are loads of religious people out there. It seems like only the very enthusiastic evangelical type of church seems to be growing and even then it’s quite small numbers. Aibu to ask if you know any Christians?

Quite a few, all born in countries where population is high % christian.

I am Jewish (convert) but most people I meet wouldn't know it cos I don't tell people. I find that saying you are religious is a bit of an invitation for people to attack you! I only tell other Jewish people. I think if I was Christian, I would probably do the same.

I never mention it at work. I sometimes tell my line manager cos I need many days off in September and so feel the need to explain why.

Op, I would suspect you’ll get very different answers depending on age group
in my 50s, I know loads. Includes a few close family who are part of various church leadership groups, and ex lay preacher dad . I don’t go to church regularly - view myself as Christian but with some fairly heretical views 😱🙄🤣, not last the church itself being too powerful , partriarcal, rich etc

Loads. I'm in NI and it's packed to the rafters with 'em here!!

Loads! But we're active in the church - attend services, choir, church band, playgroup for youngest based in our church, messy church for the eldest.

But if you don't socialise with us, you wouldn't know. I don't think anyone at my workplace would know for example.

I know quite a few, a mixture between evangelical converts, brought up evangelical and comfortable, liberal, traditional C of E types. Most weddings and funerals I have been to have been in churches even if those people are not regular churchgoers.

I've got a dent on my car from a local vicar - does that count?

The kids went to church schools - our parish church has 4 English language Sunday masses and two in other languages. It's standing room only. Then more CofE friends, a couple of Methodists and a United reformer.

Most of my local friends at some level, some more seriously than others. Most have ‘their’ local church.

About 20

Loads including two former leaders of the Methodist church in the UK.

I grew up in a Christian household, attending church every week. My Dad still goes to church every week and I will go when visiting him.

My two best friends from school both attend church every week and one works for a church based organisation.

I teach internationally and have met many missionaries and we have a large number of church attending students in my current school.

Not many.
I know a lot of people who don't have a faith.
I know some people who are Catholic - but I don't know many people who go to church regularly, if at all.

MummiesIncorporated I personally don't think there is anything wrong with being a Humanist (I am a card-carrying member of the Humanist Society) but my lack of belief in a god or an afterlife has made one fanatic I know tell me I will burn in hell. I just laugh it off, there is no point in engaging.

Quite a lot.

Loads. Proper church going Christians too

it’s the culture I come from

I do, but I am one so that’s not a surprise! I’ve actually been surprised at how many colleagues and new acquaintances have turned out to be churchgoers in recent years (I work in financial services and used to work in politics), there are quite a few of us! Including a lot like one of my oldest friends who is a devout Christian, yet hardly ever goes to church.

Loads. But I’m Catholic with loads of Catholic friends and family 🤷🏻‍♀️

Lots, but then I’m a Christian, I attend church and my children go to a church school, so I guess that skews things.

On my smallish street (around 30 houses) though we have at least 6 families that go to church fairly regularly.

Hundreds!

I think it's good people are realising they are not Christian - it's a dangerous place to be in, assuming you are 'ok' with God, but actually not. Far better for people to actively 'opt in' rather than assuming they are Christian because they are Christened / their mum goes to church / they live in England / they met a priest once.

My husband is a practicing Catholic Christian. I'm not religious

Lots of people would identify as culturally Christian though, without having much religious belief, and some of them would tick the census box

I am good friends with 3 very devout Christians and quite a few more are known to me, I’m a fallen by the wayside Christian.

I know a lot of people who would say they are Christians but don't go to church if that counts? Actual regular church goers, not many.

All my family, my sisters family, quite a few of my friends, lots of DH’s friends. None of them are born again Christians but all would identify as Christian and go to church fairly frequently.

Probably half half. A lot of people who I would have said were anti-religious in their twenties mysteriously became church-going Christians in their thirties and claimed they always had been. It isn’t just trying to get school places either I think a lot of them were embarrassed about it when younger and then got more comfortable with it 🤷‍♀️

My point still stands though. Just because one person doesn't happen to know Christians it doesn't mean it's only old ladies who go to village churches that are Christians.

Also, do you usually ask friends and family what they ticked on a census form?