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Two-thirds of Britons not religious, suggests survey | Two-thirds of Britons not religious, suggests survey |
(about 1 hour later) | |
By John McManus BBC News | By John McManus BBC News |
Nearly two-thirds of people do not regard themselves as "religious", a new survey carried out to coincide with the 2011 Census suggests. | Nearly two-thirds of people do not regard themselves as "religious", a new survey carried out to coincide with the 2011 Census suggests. |
The British Humanist Association (BHA), which commissioned the poll, said people often identified themselves as religious for cultural reasons. | The British Humanist Association (BHA), which commissioned the poll, said people often identified themselves as religious for cultural reasons. |
The online poll asked 1,900 adults in England and Wales a question which is on this month's census form. | The online poll asked 1,900 adults in England and Wales a question which is on this month's census form. |
The Office for National Statistics has defended the wording of the census. | The Office for National Statistics has defended the wording of the census. |
While 61% of the poll's respondents said they did belong to a religion, 65% of those surveyed answered "no" to the further question: "Are you religious?" | While 61% of the poll's respondents said they did belong to a religion, 65% of those surveyed answered "no" to the further question: "Are you religious?" |
Two surveys were commissioned, one covering England and Wales, and the other for Scotland. | Two surveys were commissioned, one covering England and Wales, and the other for Scotland. |
South of the border 61% of respondents said they did have a religion. | South of the border 61% of respondents said they did have a religion. |
But only 29% also said they were religious, while 65% said they were not. | But only 29% also said they were religious, while 65% said they were not. |
Among respondents who identified themselves as Christian, fewer than half said they believed Jesus Christ was a real person who died, came back to life and was the son of God. | Among respondents who identified themselves as Christian, fewer than half said they believed Jesus Christ was a real person who died, came back to life and was the son of God. |
Another 27% said they did not believe that at all, while 25% were unsure. | Another 27% said they did not believe that at all, while 25% were unsure. |
In Scotland 42% of respondents said they did not belong to a religion, yet in a further question "Are you religious?" 56% answered "no". | In Scotland 42% of respondents said they did not belong to a religion, yet in a further question "Are you religious?" 56% answered "no". |
The BHA has complained the wording of the optional census question about religion encourages people to wrongly identify themselves as believers. | The BHA has complained the wording of the optional census question about religion encourages people to wrongly identify themselves as believers. |
In the last census in 2001, 72% of people were classed as Christians - a figure which is much higher than other surveys. | In the last census in 2001, 72% of people were classed as Christians - a figure which is much higher than other surveys. |
The BHA believes people might tick "yes" to the census question on religion for reasons of cultural identity. | |
The chief executive of the BHA, Andrew Copson, is running a national campaign encouraging non-religious people to state their unbelief clearly on their census forms. | The chief executive of the BHA, Andrew Copson, is running a national campaign encouraging non-religious people to state their unbelief clearly on their census forms. |
He said: "This poll is further evidence for a key message of the Census Campaign - that the data produced by the census, used by local and national government as if it indicates religious belief and belonging, is in fact highly misleading. | He said: "This poll is further evidence for a key message of the Census Campaign - that the data produced by the census, used by local and national government as if it indicates religious belief and belonging, is in fact highly misleading. |
Religious affiliation | Religious affiliation |
The humanists say data which might indicate a greater amount of religious belief than actually exists, is being used to justify faith schools, and the continuing presence of Anglican bishops in the House of Lords. | The humanists say data which might indicate a greater amount of religious belief than actually exists, is being used to justify faith schools, and the continuing presence of Anglican bishops in the House of Lords. |
The Office for National Statistics has defended the wording of the religion question. | The Office for National Statistics has defended the wording of the religion question. |
A spokesman told the BBC: "The religion question measures the number of people who self-identify an affiliation with a religion, irrespective of the extent of their religious belief or practice." | A spokesman told the BBC: "The religion question measures the number of people who self-identify an affiliation with a religion, irrespective of the extent of their religious belief or practice." |
The think tank Theos, which undertakes research into religious matters, says attempting to measure cultural affiliation to religion - rather than actual, regular practice - is a good idea, as it shows the broad values society shares. | The think tank Theos, which undertakes research into religious matters, says attempting to measure cultural affiliation to religion - rather than actual, regular practice - is a good idea, as it shows the broad values society shares. |
It also disputes the BHA's assertion that the collected data is used for political purposes. | It also disputes the BHA's assertion that the collected data is used for political purposes. |