The UK national census takes place on Sunday 21 March 2021 – but the question about religion has always proved controversial. In the census, religion helps identify a social identity, but is it enough to test affiliation – and what about belief? Why are the numbers who say they are non-religious, lower than in other national surveys? Is race part of the reason people say they are Christian? And will the number of Christians fall below 50 per cent?
In this discussion hosted by Tim Wyatt, the panel included:
- The Rev Canon Prof Leslie Francis, Director Warwick Religions and Education Research Unit
- Professor David Voas, UCL Social Research Institute
- Dr Peter Brierley, Founder and director of Brierley Consultancy, researching religion data
- Andrew Copson, Chief Executive of Humanists UK
- Dr Jagbir Jhutti-Johal, senior lecturer in Sikh Studies, University of Birmingham
- Professor Abby Day, Professor of Race, Faith and Culture at Goldsmiths
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Report: Census will show a drop of “millions” of Christians, experts say
“There’s a heck of a lot of people in their 20s and 30s who are basically saying they have no religion or don’t want to be associated with Christianity, and will not answer the question at all.”
– Peter Brierley
FULL BRIEFING YOUTUBE VIDEO
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