Sep 9: Decline of the Established Church
The 2016 NatCen’s British Social Attitudes survey indicates - yet again - that Britain is a country becoming less and less religious:
Religious affiliation in UK in 2016:
No religion: 53%
Other Christian: 17%
Church of England: 15%
Roman Catholic: 9%
Non-Christian: 6%
The survey indicates that the proportion of Anglicans is now just 15% - significantly down from the 40% first recorded by the BSA in 1983 - and 5% points down on a similar survey only two years prior when it was 20%!
It found a similar pattern in Scotland, where the proportion of Scots who say they belong to the Church of Scotland is now only 18%, down from 35% in 1999.
The survey says: "While 94% of people raised in a non-religious household go on to have no religion in adulthood, 39% of those raised in a religious household don’t hold a religion in adulthood".
I wonder how long the exodus from the Church of England will continue?
I wonder what impact the empty pews will eventually have on church properties: the cathedrals, which seem destined to become little more than tourist attractions; and the local churches which will most likely be sold to become community halls or restaurants?
I wonder who will take over maintenance of these crumbling structures? and
With 15% affiliation (and dropping) I wonder how long the dwindling Established Church will retain the muscle to retain its unsustainable claim to preferential status conferred on it by the State?
