The decline of Christianity in the UK has been a significant moment in the country's religious history. Despite the UK's apparent Christian heritage, most Britons no longer engage with religious practices or events based on their faith.
According to the Arabic Post, as of Thursday, 12th January 2023, many Britons celebrate Christmas, gather with family and friends, and indulge in shopping, but they do not attend church services.
Over the years, only a small percentage of Britons have been regularly attending church services. In fact, statistics and polls indicate that the number has now dropped to about 5 percent.
The decline of Christianity in the UK reached a pivotal moment on 30th November 2022 when the UK's Office for National Statistics published a new set of figures from the 2021 census.
The data shows that for the first time, less than half of the population of England and Wales identifies themselves as Christians. The number has dropped by 13 percent over a decade to 27.5 million people.
Meanwhile, the number of people identifying themselves as non-religious or atheist has increased by 12 percent to 22.2 million people.
Despite the UK becoming more secular, some religions have thrived. The census shows that the number of Muslims has increased by 44 percent and now accounts for 7 percent of the population. Additionally, the number of Hindus in the UK has reached one million for the first time in 2021.
The figures demonstrate that Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the country in the last decade. The census reveals a significant increase in the number of people identifying themselves as Muslims by 44 percent over the past ten years.
The number of Muslims has risen from 2.7 million people in 2011 to 3.9 million people in 2021, indicating a growth of 1.2 million Muslims in ten years. Muslims now account for 6.5 percent of the total population in the UK.
The growth of the Muslim population in the UK has been a result of various factors, including immigration, higher birth rates, and conversion. The trend is expected to continue in the coming years, with the number of Muslims projected to increase significantly.
The UK is witnessing a significant demographic shift with increasing numbers of people born overseas. Currently, one in six surveyed individuals was born outside the UK compared to one in ten a decade ago.
The change is reflected in the declining number of Christians and the rising population of Muslims. Interestingly, there are now three 'minority-majority' cities in the UK: Birmingham (51.4 percent), Leicester (59.1 percent), and Luton (54.8 percent).
The decline in the number of Christians and the rise of the Muslim population in the UK may slow down secularization. According to The Economist, immigrants tend to rekindle their faiths, which could explain the increasing presence of places of worship in London, the least secular area of Scotland, and the most populous area of Wales.
However, does this unprecedented shift in demographics change anything? These statistics can impact discussions about government funding for religious schools. There are concerns that non-Christian religious schools may perpetuate "racial segregation." For instance, Hindu schools tend to be filled with immigrant children from South Asian countries.
Is it time to end the relationship between religion and the state in the UK? Campaign groups against religious privileges, such as the National Secular Society of England, use such moments to argue that it is time to sever the link between the church and the state. The Labour Party has proposed to abolish all Lords Spiritual and Bishops.
Former leader of the UK Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, welcomed the growing ethnic and religious diversity in the UK, stating that it is something worth celebrating. "I must motivate all of us to build a society where everyone can live comfortably, regardless of their place of birth, background, or beliefs," he said.
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) assures that the growth of the Muslim population in the UK is a strategic national asset for the country. However, the statistics also raise concerns about the continued poverty experienced by communities.
In a statement, the MCB said that adding so many young Muslims to the UK workforce would provide an economic boost.
"While our nation is aging, the addition of young Muslim people to the UK workforce remains a strategic national asset," said MCB Secretary General Zara Mohammed, as reported by the Middle East Eye on Wednesday (November 30, 2022). "Over the past decade, there has been a visible increase in second and third-generation Muslims, confident in their faith and place in society, contributing greatly to our economic recovery and national vitality," she added.
The implications of these demographic changes are significant and far-reaching. From political representation to social integration and economic development, the UK will need to adapt and adjust to the changing demographics of its population. These changes present both challenges and opportunities that will shape the country's future.
Source: Republika
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