Poll: (UK) Young people turn decisively against religion

[Warren Stupidity]

Young people in Britain have turned against religion, with many considering it a source of evil, a new poll suggests.
...
Forty-one per cent of young people told pollsters 'religion is more often the cause of evil in the world' while only 14% said it was a cause for good.
...
Twenty-five per cent of young people said they believed in God, 19% believed in a non-Godlike 'spiritual greater power' and 38% were atheists who didn't believe in any greater spiritual power.

http://www.politics.co.uk/news/2013/06/25/poll-young-people-turn-decisively-against-religion

[cbayer]

1. This is an interesting poll across the board.

It covers a wide variety of issues. While the sample size is small and some of the data is inconsistent with most recent census data, I think it gives an interesting picture of this age group in the UK at this time, including where many are in terms of religion.

It's worth looking at the whole thing.

[dimbear]

2. It's been a long time coming. In Matthew Arnold's best poem:

The Sea of Faith

Was once, too, at the full, and round earth's shore

Lay like the folds of a bright girdle furl'd.

But now I only hear

Its melancholy, long, withdrawing roar,

Retreating, to the breath

Of the night-wind, down the vast edges drear

And naked shingles of the world.

*************

Won't seem melancholy if you whistle a cheery tune.

[LostOne4Ever]

3. I have nothing to support this

But I believe we will soon be seeing similar reactions from young people in the US.

While there were many religious organizations and sects who came out for Gay Marriage, the opposition to it was undeniably mainly from conservative religious groups who went out of their way to stop it. As time marches forward young people will see those who opposed gay rights more and more as we saw those who opposed desegregation and bi-racial weddings.

The religions who fought marriage equality tooth and nail will be seen more and more as bigoted and hateful which will turn more young people off of religion altogether.

But this is entirely speculation on my part.

[cbayer]

4. One of the things that is reflected in some of the data is an anti-immigration position

that can also be seen as an anti-Muslim stance.

As there is no distinction that I could see about whether those polled felt all religion was a force of evil, or just some religion, I wondered if there wasn't a degree of Islamophobia being reflected here.

Hopefully, we will not see that trend here. But there is clearly a trend for young americans to disassociate themselves from religious institutions.

I think you are entirely correct about who supports continued discrimination against GLBT people, and I think many have left religious institutions in part due to this.

[LostOne4Ever]

8. I agree entirely

I don't doubt that islamophobic sentiment is contributing to this decline in belief. That is something that needs to be fixed.

But from my eyes and experiences the actions of conservative fundamentalist are a major reason for the disdain of religion many people have developed. Back long ago, when I was a believer, the sexist and homophobic attitudes of fundamentalist like Faldwell, Robertson, etc. were a large part of my problem with religion. I imagine several others feel the same way. This includes both those who stayed with their religions and those (like myself) who ultimately rejected them.

Thus why I am trying to point this out. I see their opposition just enforcing doubts and suspicions about religion and pushing more people toward non-belief. It is ironic, that in their religious zeal they are probably doing more to lead to the decline of organized religion in this country than almost anyone else.

[cbayer]

9. And I agree with you as well.

The fundamentalists have dug their own graves, imo. As long as they focus on attacking the basic rights of others, I think they will continue to lose members. The question I have is whether something else will grow to fill the void or whether those who have left will stay away for good. We shall see.

The distinction between attachment to religious institutions and individual beliefs has not always been clear in the surveys I have seen. I also find that more recently reported "congregations" for atheists interesting.

We do live in interesting times, but religion probably isn't going away any time soon.

[rug]

5. "Set up your own business?"

http://cdn.yougov.com/cumulus_uploads/document/jgdvn3vm4b/YG-Archive-Pol-Sun-results-190613-youth-survey.pdf

What an odd question to ask in a poll on religion.

I'd like the next poll to ask if religion or capitalism is the greater source of evil.

[muriel_volestrangler]

6. It's a poll of young people, not a poll on religion

That's why it's titled 'youth survey'. It also asks them about retirement ages, the NHS, which politicians they admire (shock horror: pretty much none of them) and a lot more.

[rug]

7. This one is particularly dismaying:

Do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

The benefits system is a good thing, but too many people who don't really need help take advantage of it

74% agree
17% disagree
9% don't know

It would be interesting to correlate the answers.