The young are the most open towards Christianity, British study finds
by Rhoda Hardie, Anglican Ink:
In a major new survey – the results of which are released today* – over 4,000 people were asked about their feelings towards religion and only 10% of the public agreed with the statement that ‘religion is a negative influence on society’. In fact, 44% of people surveyed agreed that they have had a positive experience of Christians and Christianity and half of British adults (51%) disagree that Christians are a negative force in society.
Some particularly interesting statistics were gathered from the 18-24-year-old ‘Gen Z’ age group – sometimes known as the ‘Post-Millennials’ – and, according to some, the first genuinely post-Christian generation. Although they are the most likely to report that being an atheist or non-religious is ‘more normal’, they are also the most likely to agree that they have had a positive experience of Christians and Christianity – a higher proportion than any other age group (51% vs 38-49%). They are also the most likely to report that they go to church services (33% vs 22-31%). Three in five British adults aged 18-24 (62%) also agree that they feel comfortable discussing their religious beliefs with people at work – again, a higher proportion than any other age group (62% vs 34-56%). Gen Z, it would seem, is showing the greatest openness and positivity towards faith.
This new survey coincides with the launch of a new book, Faitheism by Dr Krish Kandiah, which publishes today. In this book, Krish explores how Christians and atheists might have more in common than you think, looking at how – in a time of increased racial, sexual and gender equality – we need to move towards being a ‘genuinely inclusive society’ in terms of faith literacy and collaboration. As an Anglo-Indian-Sri Lankan-Malaysian Christian who was brought up in a Hindu household and who has fostered children from Muslim, Hindu, Christian and atheist backgrounds, Krish is well placed to discuss issues of exclusion and acceptance. In ‘Faitheism’, he presents a series of stereotypes about Christians and atheists – such as ‘Christians are judgemental and atheists are tolerant’ – before unpacking and challenging each one. He concludes by sharing his dream that one day ‘we will believe the best about each other, even when we don’t believe the same as each other’.
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