# When would a minority of people be religious and how would society look like? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 9, 2021, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-would-a-minority-of-people-be-religious-and-how-would-society-look-like/948260 "2021-08-09T00:32:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2021, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-would-a-minority-of-people-be-religious-and-how-would-society-look-like/948260/201 "2021-08-13T07:30:30Z")
No, I was referring to way more than half, because I was including those nominal Christians, and all the [cultural Muslims](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_Muslims) (also [more than you might think](https://theconversation.com/cultural-muslims-like-cultural-christians-are-a-silent-majority-32097), if you didn’t grow up around Muslims) and secular Jews and Buddhists-for-the-holidays. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2021, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-would-a-minority-of-people-be-religious-and-how-would-society-look-like/948260/202 "2021-08-13T08:11:48Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > “Very unusual” =/= “just doesn’t happen”, which was the whole of my point. And “just doesn’t happen” as originally expressed was in reference to the _levels_ of speech about god and religion in the USA and how it “just doesn’t happen” in the UK. The claim was not that politicians in the UK have _never_ spoken about god or their religion but indeed it is very unusual when they do. ---
**Author:** ![Dandan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a87d85/32.png) [@Dandan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dandan)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2021, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-would-a-minority-of-people-be-religious-and-how-would-society-look-like/948260/203 "2021-08-13T15:20:22Z")
Pray tell, what is Atheism+? Dan ---
**Author:** ![DemonTree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/demontree/32/8646_2.png) [@DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DemonTree)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2021, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-would-a-minority-of-people-be-religious-and-how-would-society-look-like/948260/204 "2021-08-13T15:53:50Z")
[https://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/religion/2012/08/atheism-plus-new-new-atheists](https://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/religion/2012/08/atheism-plus-new-new-atheists) AIUI, it was supposed to be more of a positive belief system, with political goals, something close to humanism; whereas atheists in general don’t necessarily have anything in common other than disbelief in god(s). ---
**Author:** ![xtenkfarpl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c2a13f/32.png) [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2021, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-would-a-minority-of-people-be-religious-and-how-would-society-look-like/948260/205 "2021-08-13T17:03:28Z")
What is your sample size? It is probably true that Christianity has declined in Europe and the US over the last several decades, but Islam seems to be spreading like wildfire. Get ready for sharia law: it is coming soon to a place near you. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2021, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-would-a-minority-of-people-be-religious-and-how-would-society-look-like/948260/206 "2021-08-13T17:06:27Z")
> [@xtenkfarpl](#): > > Get ready for sharia law: it is coming soon to a place near you. Is it. ---
**Author:** ![xtenkfarpl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c2a13f/32.png) [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2021, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-would-a-minority-of-people-be-religious-and-how-would-society-look-like/948260/207 "2021-08-13T17:11:37Z")
Probably sooner or later. “The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity.” - (Yeats) ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2021, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-would-a-minority-of-people-be-religious-and-how-would-society-look-like/948260/208 "2021-08-13T17:13:37Z")
> [@xtenkfarpl](#): > > “The best lack all conviction, while the worst > Are full of passionate intensity.” - (Yeats) Which one are you? ---
**Author:** ![xtenkfarpl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c2a13f/32.png) [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2021, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-would-a-minority-of-people-be-religious-and-how-would-society-look-like/948260/209 "2021-08-13T17:21:35Z")
That depends on your belief system, of course. For better or worse, I support a sort of humanist enlightenment view that people should be free to do what they want as long as they don’t hurt others in the process. Government should not legislate morality. Let’s see what Islam says about that? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2021, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-would-a-minority-of-people-be-religious-and-how-would-society-look-like/948260/210 "2021-08-13T17:28:11Z")
> [@xtenkfarpl](#): > > Let’s see what Islam says about that? I guess that depends on which Islam follower(s) you ask. But lets get back to: > [@xtenkfarpl](#): > > Get ready for sharia law: it is coming soon to a place near you. Which non-Islamist countries can expect to see Sharia Law coming soon? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2021, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-would-a-minority-of-people-be-religious-and-how-would-society-look-like/948260/211 "2021-08-13T17:44:07Z")
Follow up question: > [@xtenkfarpl](#): > > Government should not legislate morality. Isn’t that one of the key roles of good government? To ensure citizens are treated equally under the law, etc… ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2021, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-would-a-minority-of-people-be-religious-and-how-would-society-look-like/948260/212 "2021-08-13T17:54:32Z")
**Moderator Note** If you want to discuss Islam, please take that to another thread. This thread is about what society would be like without religion. Please focus on that topic. ---
**Author:** ![xtenkfarpl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c2a13f/32.png) [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2021, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-would-a-minority-of-people-be-religious-and-how-would-society-look-like/948260/213 "2021-08-13T18:50:09Z")
Right, a good point. What would society be like without religion? Do we have any examples of such a society? Until we do, it seems a bit speculative…? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2021, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-would-a-minority-of-people-be-religious-and-how-would-society-look-like/948260/214 "2021-08-13T18:58:52Z")
Which is why we are speculating in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2021, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-would-a-minority-of-people-be-religious-and-how-would-society-look-like/948260/215 "2021-08-13T18:59:53Z")
> [@xtenkfarpl](#): > > Do we have any examples of such a society? The Soviet Union (already mentioned upthread) is the first one that comes to mind. The Soviets didn’t completely stamp out religion, but the OP only specifies that the majority be non-religious. > [@xtenkfarpl](#): > > Until we do, it seems a bit speculative…? Wild speculation is what the IMHO forum is all about. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2021, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-would-a-minority-of-people-be-religious-and-how-would-society-look-like/948260/216 "2021-08-13T19:35:53Z")
> [@xtenkfarpl](#): > > What would society be like without religion? Do we have any examples of such a society? Many countries around the world are de facto atheist right now. As I mentioned, most of China, much of Europe, Australia, Canada etc.Indeed the US is very much an outlier among developed countries. Yes it gets complicated with how we define “religion” and how many people self-identify with a particular group whether or not they support any of the beliefs. And certain people in this thread have tried to steer us down that rabbit hole. But responding to the spirit of the OP (pun not intended), yeah there are plenty of places in the world where the average person would at best shrug at the notion of a god. Where church attendance is virtually zero and public opinion on topics like abortion is based on secular principles only. People in such countries don’t suddenly go and eat babies; they work, marry and care for others the same as anywhere else. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2021, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-would-a-minority-of-people-be-religious-and-how-would-society-look-like/948260/217 "2021-08-15T11:18:52Z")
> [@ISiddiqui](#): > > IIRC, he did so because of political calculations of the PM of the UK not being Anglican. If so, a miscalculation - there have been non-Anglican and atheist PMs before. Most people wouldn’t care two hoots about his becoming a Catholic while PM, in itself, but would look askance at it being - seemingly - a bit of a public exhibition (as when Ann Widdecombe flounced over because of the ordination of women in the CofE). Hence his press person’s “We don’t do God”. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-would-a-minority-of-people-be-religious-and-how-would-society-look-like/948260/218 "2021-08-17T02:19:57Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > Many countries around the world are de facto atheist right now. As I mentioned, most of China, much of Europe, Australia, Canada etc.Indeed the US is very much an outlier among developed countries. This is not true. Not even close. I posted above actual census numbers. Here are more: > **[Religion](https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/religion)** > > ​Religion (from the Latin, religio, "respect for what is sacred") may be defined as the relationship between human beings and their transcendent source of val... _In Canada the principal religion is [Christianity](https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/article/christianity/); as recently as the 1971 census, almost 90 per cent of the population claimed adherence. In the 2011 census, 39 per cent of Canadians identified themselves as Roman Catholic and 27 per cent as Protestant. Whereas in 1971, only 5 per cent of Canadians were unaffiliated with any religion, by 2011 that number had risen to 24 per cent._ 24% are atheist, non committed, agnostic, deist, etc, Hardly “de facto atheist”. > **[Sabin examines the role of religion in Canadian politics](https://www.ssc.uwo.ca/news/2018/sabin_religion_canadian_politics.html)** > > Does religion play a role in Canadian politics? For many, this question may seem out of place in Canadian political discourse. But Jerald Sabin, along with his colleagues found that religion does have an impact on Canadian politics. _While the role of religious faith has not been a topic of study amongst Canadian political scientists, Sabin, et al. found that religion plays an important, and shifting, role in Canadian politics._ > **[Australian Culture - Religion](https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/australian-culture/australian-culture-religion)** > > Learn about the religious make-up of society and how religion influences daily life and culture Demographics _The 2016 census recorded over 100 different religious affiliations in Australia. Approximately 52.1% identified as Christian, constituting the largest religious category. The Catholic Church (22.6%) and Anglican Church (13.3%) were the two largest Christian denominations identified. Meanwhile, 8.2% of the population identified with a religion other than Christianity. Islam (2.6%) and Buddhism (2.4%) were the largest, followed by Hinduism (1.9%), Sikhism (0.5%) and Judaism (0.4%)._ _The fastest growing religious affiliation in Australia is ‘no religion’, with 30.1% of the population nominating this category in the 2016 census. This constitutes multiple subcategories such as atheist, agnostic, and other spiritual beliefs (such as New Age)._ So Down Under we have 30% atheist, agnostic, and other spiritual beliefs (such as New Age). Hardly, again, “de facto atheist”. Now sure, religion is not a important political issue there, as here. But do not try to equate that with “de facto atheist”. In China you have to register if you are a churchgoer. Few people take that risk. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-would-a-minority-of-people-be-religious-and-how-would-society-look-like/948260/219 "2021-08-17T07:41:37Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > Many countries around the world are de facto atheist right now. […snip…] much of Europe, How are we defining “much of Europe”, please? Only 25% of the EU falls under “atheist” and “agnostic/non-religious” headings. And it’s not much different in non-EU countries ([this survey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Europe#Eurobarometer_survey_2019), for instance, covers both). Some individual countries crack \>50% of those in combination (the Czechs are a particular standout as hardcore atheist), but _overall_, Europeans are still pretty religious. They’re not, overwhelmingly, _church-going_, but that’s not _at all_ the same thing. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-would-a-minority-of-people-be-religious-and-how-would-society-look-like/948260/220 "2021-08-17T07:44:27Z")
You cannot rely on census numbers to tell you whether a country is generally religious or not. Officially I’m C of E, so is my wife. We married in a C of E church, the same place both my children were baptised. On previous census (censi?) we’ve been recorded as C of E but…this is the point, all of us are atheist, none of us go to church, none of us are religious in any meaningful sense at all. I know that we are not alone in this. You would need a much more specific survey question in order to understand the degree of religiosity of a nation. I do agree with the opinion that the UK at least is majority atheist or non-religious at best, [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-would-a-minority-of-people-be-religious-and-how-would-society-look-like/948260.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-would-a-minority-of-people-be-religious-and-how-would-society-look-like/948260.md?page=12)