UK loses faith

denphone · 24-05-2016, 09:37

Which religion are you? or have you got a religion? as UK loses faith in religion.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/201...nd-wales-study

techguyone · 24-05-2016, 10:29

Nature abhors a vacuum.. if one religion dies, another one will grow stronger.

Taf · 24-05-2016, 11:15

In many cases, not all, you may notice that religion is more prevalent in those with lower education. Or where peer pressure is greatest. Especially when the pressure is through total fear.

heero_yuy · 24-05-2016, 11:35

I think that increasing materialism is to blame: When a religeons version of heaven doesn't have facebook, twitter, mobiles, tablets etc, just herding goats all day, it's not a very attractive offer to the younger generation.

ianch99 · 24-05-2016, 13:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by heero_yuy

I think that increasing materialism is to blame: When a religeons version of heaven doesn't have facebook, twitter, mobiles, tablets etc, just herding goats all day, it's not a very attractive offer to the younger generation.

You make it sound like a lifestyle choice ..

heero_yuy · 24-05-2016, 14:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by ianch99

You make it sound like a lifestyle choice ..

Isn't religeon just that? You choose to believe there is a God or not, go to church or not, believe in the afterlife or not...

24-05-2016, 14:18

People have so many things to deal with these days that time for religion is just not there and more and more people see no practical benefit to religion in their life. Add in that the churches and the their representatives seem out of touch with the reality that is most people's lives and a decline in faith is not such a surprise. As long as those who choose not to follow religion remain respectful of those who do follow I don't see a big problem.

**Chris** · 24-05-2016, 14:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by heero_yuy

Isn't religeon just that? You choose to believe there is a God or not, go to church or not, believe in the afterlife or not...

No, it isn't.

For those that practice a faith - and I mean those that seriously believe and act upon the teachings, not people who wear a nominal label - they do it because they believe there are serious consequences, in this life and in eternity. To call it a "lifestyle choice" puts it in the same category as the brand of coffee you prefer, and that very seriously misses the point.

So far as Christianity goes, evangelical denominations are growing, but the larger, established and in most respects theologically liberal ones (the Church of England and the Church of Scotland, mostly) are shrinking at a greater rate.

This is because society no longer pressurises religious conformity, so those of a nominal belief are less likely to go out on a Sunday and practice what they say they believe.

It is no surprise that religion is less of a thing in rich, Western countries. Those who are rich, have no need to ponder whether they need an eternal saviour. They feel like they're fine as they are so they don't trouble themselves with thoughts of religious obligation.

Jesus himself recognised this when he said "it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Ignitionnet · 24-05-2016, 15:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by denphone

Which religion are you? or have you got a religion? as UK loses faith in religion.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/201...nd-wales-study

In order:

None; one of that group that did have one in formative years but not anymore.

No.

Good.

dave6x · 24-05-2016, 16:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by heero_yuy

I think that increasing materialism is to blame: When a religeons version of heaven doesn't have facebook, twitter, mobiles, tablets etc, just herding goats all day, it's not a very attractive offer to the younger generation.

Sounds wonderful, where is this Utopia?

papa smurf · 24-05-2016, 16:15

Originally Posted by ianch99
You make it sound like a lifestyle choice ..

Quote:

Originally Posted by heero_yuy

Isn't religeon just that? You choose to believe there is a God or not, go to church or not, believe in the afterlife or not...

i thought it was chosen for you by your parents .

dilli-theclaw · 24-05-2016, 16:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by papa smurf

i thought it was chosen for you by your parents .

maybe in some cases but mine certainly didn't choose for me and I've never made the choice for my son either.

papa smurf · 24-05-2016, 16:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by dilli-theclaw

maybe in some cases but mine certainly didn't choose for me and I've never made the choice for my son either.

mine had me christened but i turned out atheist

ianch99 · 24-05-2016, 16:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by papa smurf

mine had me christened but i turned out atheist

I was christened a Catholic but I lapsed at birth ..

Kursk · 24-05-2016, 16:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

It is no surprise that religion is less of a thing in rich, Western countries. Those who are rich, have no need to ponder whether they need an eternal saviour. They feel like they're fine as they are so they don't trouble themselves with thoughts of religious obligation.

Jesus himself recognised this when he said "it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

That's interesting. So would you say it means that a materially rich man is debarred from heaven by God (presumably because accumulated wealth is unacceptable in that it should have been put to an altruistic purpose) or that a rich man excludes himself from heaven by virtue of his own failure to believe in God?