Although most people in the UK might identify themselves in censuses and the like as CofE, ask the avearge person on the street what religion they are and I’d be willing to bet that the most likely answer would be “Ummm…”
In fact, it’s just occurred to me that there could well be more practising Muslims in the country than ‘proper’ Christians. No cite, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m wrong, but it’s an interesting thought.
No way. Not in the UK anyway, where religion in general is pretty much a non-issue. Although most people here might identify themselves in censuses and the like as CofE, ask the avearge person on the street what religion they are and I’d be willing to bet that the most likely answer would be “Ummm…”
In fact, it’s just occurred to me that there could well be more practising Muslims in the country than ‘proper’ Christians. No cite, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m wrong, but it’s an interesting thought.
It’s not far off - there’s certainly more than there are practicing Anglicans. And yes, most people who describe themselves as Christian don’t, if you question them, believe in the virgin birth, or in the resurrection, or in Judgement Day, or in Hell, and you have to start wondering at what point you have to stop counting them among the ‘religious’ tally for it to retain any meaning, no matter what they call themselves.
Arse. Sorry about the double post.
Thanks to you all for your enlightening - and reassuring - responses !
I’m not reassured that the most wealthy, powerful and armed nation in history still largely subscribes to a pre-Enlightenment view of the world.
I think fraud will be an easy end for that greasy haired weasel. Am I alone in thinking they will end up in Coromandel somewhere drinking cordial?
As to the OP, the average Kiwi has no idea of their workmates, neighbours or politicians religion…shit I couldn’t tell you if my extended family believe in God (I know they don’t go to church). It just isn’t something worth discussing.
Then there’s that dude we’ve heard about, your Fred Phelps equivalent, Fred Nile (what is it with Freds?). I heard a charming story about how he ostentatiously prayed for rain on the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras; the way the story went, it poured rain all day, but when the parade started the rain stopped and the sun came out, and the rain only came back once the parade ended. 
Brian Tamaki probabaly prayed for rain too. The rest of us wished he failed and then fucked off.
Wishing beats praying everytime
Mind you I wished he was swallowed up by the Earth when he/his church marched on parliment against Civil Unions. My wish is yet to be granted.
Though Civil Unions are a fact now, so his prayers didn’t work either.