Dr Nick Spencer. Research Director at Theos

Transcription

1 Dr Nick Spencer Research Director at Theos

2 Wales Public Theology Summit CICC 8 October 2015 Doing God today: Christianity in Public Life Nick Spencer

3 [Labour Party Conference] Monday morning, 8.15am, and the British Humanist Association is hosting its noprayer annual breakfast. The bacon butties are long gone by the time shadow business secretary Angela Eagle launches her attack on Tim Farron. At a time when we have a huge revival of fundamentalist religious belief, we have a newly elected leader of the Liberal Democrats who is an evangelical Christian who believes in the literal truth of the bible. He does. He just doesn t want to talk about it a lot because he knows how much it will embarrass his own party. It is a reminder that fundamentalism takes many forms. Guardian, 30 September 2015

4 .Context.Content

5 .Context.Content

6 Context

7 Context When the UK Prime Minister s spokesperson remarked in 2003 that We don t do God what was striking was that until that point it went without saying that politicians don t overtly discuss religion. The need to rule god-talk out was a symptom that it was coming back in. Atheist philosopher, Julian Baggini, 2005

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10 Context

11 NatCen Social Research, British Social Attitudes 30 - Key findings: how and why Britain s attitudes and values are changing

12 Tearfund Religions survey, 2007

13 Attending a religious service England Scotland Wales 0 Once a week or more Once a fortnight/ month British Social Attitudes Survey, 2008 Once or twice a year Less than once a year/ never

14 Belief in God, England Scotland Wales 0 Absolutely Somewhat sure do sure do believe believe Not quite sure Not at all sure Sure do not believe British Social Attitudes Survey, 2008

15 How important is religion to sense of who you are? England 20 Scotland Wales 5 0 Very important Moderately important Slightly important Not at all important

16 Is religion increasing or losing influence on British life? Increasing its influence Losing its influence Neither increasing nor decreasing England Scotland Wales

17 NatCen Social Research, British Social Attitudes 28: 12. Religion: Losing faith?

18 NatCen Social Research, British Social Attitudes 28: 12. Religion: Losing faith?

19 NatCen Social Research, British Social Attitudes 28: 12. Religion: Losing faith?

20 NatCen Social Research, British Social Attitudes 28: 12. Religion: Losing faith?

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25 Ever say grace at mealtimes Ever pray Own children attended a religious school Attended a religious school Had own children christened Had been christened Want a religious funeral Had a religious marriage Ever attend religious services Believe in God Total Non-religious Religious

26 Ever say grace at mealtimes Ever pray Own children attended a religious school Attended a religious school Had own children christened Had been christened Want a religious funeral Had a religious marriage Ever attend religious services Believe in God Non-religious

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28 When, if at all, was the last time you talked about your relationship with Jesus Christ with someone who was not a Christian? Practising Christians (UK)

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30 .Context.Content

31 1.Empirical 2.Historical 3.Normative 4.Legal 5.Theological 6.Practical

32 Empirical

33 Historical

34 Normative

35 Legal

36 Theological

37 Practical