ATHEISM AND NON-RELIGIOUS POPULATION PERCENTAGES IN GREAT BRITAIN
Here’s an interesting breakdown on the percentages of “ATHEISTS” and “NON-RELIGIOUS” people living in various regions of Great Britain. I have a few thoughts on this map, including some questions. Perhaps others will be interested, and even venture an explanation.
My takeaways:
1. Obviously, I’m pleased with the slow and steady comprehensive decline in the superstition of organized religion. I predict this global trend will continue within many countries as greater percentages of populations have better access to education, science, diversity, enlightenment, and non-traditional ideas. It’s also worth noting that some areas will remain religious, and could even see outlier growth. But the general worldwide trend favors atheism, agnosticism, and a breakaway from conventional religious dogma — albeit, changes seem incremental.
2. Seeing Scotland with the highest percentage of non-religious people of any region in Great Britain is very surprising. Wales and Cornwall also have more non-religious than religious citizens. Assuming the data is accurate, if anyone cares to offer an explanation as to why these three regions spike in non-believers, I’d be very interested. I know Scots can be caustic, but I guess I expected more traditional conformity.
3. What’s most shocking is London’s low percentage of non-believers, which means when inversed, roughly 72 percent of Londoners are religious (or express such a belief). It’s shocking to see TWICE as many non-believers in Scotland as London (54 percent vs. 28 percent). If anyone cares to explain, I’m all ears.
4. Pursuant to the previous point, in the United States (and most countries), URBAN populations tend to be less religious. Sometimes, far less so. RURAL populations tend to be more religious. Often, far more so. There are obvious reasons for this — including more higher-educational institutions in cities and certainly greater diversity. Rural areas are often isolated. However, the results in Great Britain show quite the opposite. London’s immigrant population is certainly higher than elsewhere, but many large cities also have an influx of immigrants (who in some cases are very religious). For instance, Manchester has 31 percent foreign born population, but that’s not reflected as much in the regional percentages. Same with Cardiff in Wales. Anyone care to explain?
5. I wasn’t surprised to see Northern Ireland being very religious (second only to London). Sectarian conflict in and around war-torn Belfast for two generations likely solidified and deepened religious tribalism. However, it’s also noteworthy that the Republic of Ireland, (previously known for overwhelming Catholicism) has the steepest decline of Christian practice of any nation in the EU over the past 30 years, so much so that churches are being abandoned throughout the Irish mainland (note: Ireland is not shown here). It’s fascinating to see Ireland becoming more like Scotland, et. al., while Northern Ireland remains much closer aligned to Protestantism, and Christian affiliation.
6. Finally, having spent some time in Cornwall (took a fabulous trip just to that region about ten years ago and traveled throughout to almost every village), it’s surprising to see a somewhat isolated and quirky area of Great Britain (I mean that in a good way) moving away from religious affiliation. The “Doc Martin” effect, perhaps?
I’d like to compare a similar map of the United States. I’ll post that if and when I see it.
Comments are welcome. (CLICK THIS LINK BELOW)
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