from Religion Media Centre
A survey for the think-tank The Institute for the Impact of Faith in Life has charted the movement of people towards faith and away from organised religion in Britain, and concludes that the decline in Christian affiliation discovered in the 2021 census “does not reflect a disappearance of religion but rather a diversification and personalisation of belief”.
39 per cent of those surveyed had given up faith for atheism / agnosticism. But 49 per cent had joined another faith tradition or spiritual movement.
People were selecting traditions from a marketplace “according to what they seek, whether it be structure, solace, balance, or transcendence”.
The survey was conducted by Whitestone Insight, among 2,774 UK adults who self-identified as having had a change in religious belief. It found that among Christians, 55 per cent had left, with two thirds becoming atheist/agnostic, 20 per cent experiencing weakened faith, nine per cent adopting Wicca or Paganism, three per cent becoming Buddhist and two per cent turning to Islam.
The most cited reason for leaving was a lack of belief in God or the supernatural, followed by doubts about doctrine. Often this was prompted by bereavement.
The survey also found 36 per cent of all those surveyed had turned to Christianity, not enough to counterbalance those who left, but driven by the feeling of a personal connection with God, a sense of purpose and community. Islam showed a modest gain mostly by conversions influenced by global conflict and financial or career pressures. Dharmic traditions, particularly Buddhism, attracted converts seeking improved wellbeing. Paganism, Wicca, and broad spiritualism, showed noticeable growth with nearly one in ten of all respondents newly affiliated to these traditions.
Atheism was the largest single worldview to attract new people, but the survey concludes: “While atheism tends to provide cognitive clarity, it rarely brings the emotional, communal, or psychological benefits associated with faith-based transitions; most atheists in the survey reported no significant post-transition wellbeing gains.”
The Changing Landscape of Faith in Britain: Rebirth, Renewal and Reimagining is here. Times report here. Telegraph report here.