By Jonathan Petre, Religion Correspondent
Last Updated: 2:15am GMT 26/03/2008
The increasing influence of Islam on British culture is disclosed in research today that shows the number of Muslims worshipping at mosques in England and Wales will outstrip the numbers of Roman Catholics going to church in little more than a decade.
Projections show Muslims are to outstrip Catholic Sunday worshippers by 2020
Projections to be published next month estimate that, if trends continue, the number of Catholic worshippers at Sunday Mass will fall to 679,000 by 2020.
By that time, statisticians predict, the number of Muslims praying in mosques on Fridays will have increased to 683,000.
The Christian Research figures also suggest that, over the same period, the number of Muslims at mosques will overtake Church of England members at Sunday services.
Church spokesmen point out, however, that a growing number of Anglicans worship at other times of the week.
The projections show that, if the Churches do not reverse their historical decline, there will be more active Muslims than Christians in Sunday services across Britain before the middle of the century.
The figures, based on Government and academic sources and the latest edition of Christian Research's Religious Trends, come amid growing tensions over the place of Muslims in British society.
They follow fierce rows over the extent to which Islamic law should be recognised and over claims that "no-go" areas for non-Muslims are emerging in parts of the country.
Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, provoked criticism by saying the introduction of some aspects of sharia into British society was "unavoidable".
The Bishop of Rochester, the Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, faced death threats after writing in The Sunday Telegraph that Islamic extremism was turning some communities into "no-go" areas "where adherence to this ideology has become a mark of acceptability".
Peter Brierley, a former Government statistician who edited the latest Religious Trends, said that the continuing growth of the Muslim population since the 2001 census would have significant implications for society.
Re: Muslims 'to outnumber traditional churchgoers'
Hooray secularization, Im sure that everyone who supported dechrystianization of England(feminists,atheists,gay activists and crazy leftists like Ken Livingstone) would feel good living in new UK .
This country is dying because of a lack of men, not a lack of programs.
Re: Muslims 'to outnumber traditional churchgoers'
format_quote Originally Posted by Aaron85
Hooray secularization, Im sure that everyone who supported dechrystianization of England(feminists,atheists,gay activists and crazy leftists like Ken Livingstone) would feel good living in new UK .
Looks fine to me.
679,000 catholics regularly going to church
683,000 regularly going to mosque
60,776,238 British population, which means
59,414,238 don't bother
In essence both are essentially minor fringe groups in society. I hope their influence among policymakers will reflect that.
Re: Muslims 'to outnumber traditional churchgoers'
I'm a bit confused though. Surely Catholicism is not the dominant Christian denomination in England? And surely many Anglicans also go to church on Sunday?
Re: Muslims 'to outnumber traditional churchgoers'
format_quote Originally Posted by KAding
I'm a bit confused though. Surely Catholicism is not the dominant Christian denomination in England? And surely many Anglicans also go to church on Sunday?
In year 2008 the number of practicing catholics outnumbered for the first time since hundreds of years the number of practising anglicans. It hapenned mostly thanx to eastern european immigrants.
This country is dying because of a lack of men, not a lack of programs.
Re: Muslims 'to outnumber traditional churchgoers'
format_quote Originally Posted by Aaron85
In year 2008 the number of practicing catholics outnumbered for the first time since hundreds of years the number of practising anglicans. It hapenned mostly thanx to eastern european immigrants.
And prehaps because Catholics are a minority and are therefore more likely to be concious of their identity and religion and more willing to practice?
Re: Muslims 'to outnumber traditional churchgoers'
format_quote Originally Posted by Aaron85
Hooray secularization, Im sure that everyone who supported dechrystianization of England(feminists,atheists,gay activists and crazy leftists like Ken Livingstone) would feel good living in new UK .
It sounds here as if your mixing up the natural progression of mankind with a resentment over shedding the stranglation of catholisism.
But yes , in effect, Women who are striving for equality, people who wish to have independent thought & Homosexuals who have been oppressed by the "loving" church probably are feeling good.
Ken Livingstone, despite his scepticism on theism, is just a bad example to bring out in any situation. The mans mad, even if he has a few rational thoughts.
Last edited by barney; 03-26-2008 at 11:18 PM.
Occupation: The term of control of a territory by foreign military forces: Iraq 2003-2005 Liberation:when something or someone is freed: Operation Telic 2003
Re: Muslims 'to outnumber traditional churchgoers'
[QUOTE=barney;920464]
It sounds here as if your mixing up the natural progression of mankind with a resentment over shedding the stranglation of catholisism.
Well if for you a self destruction and moral fall is a natural progression, so I dont want this kind of progression in my country.
But yes , in effect, Women who are striving for equality, people who wish to have independent thought & Homosexuals who have been oppressed by the "loving" church probably are feeling good.
Sure and Im also sure that all those feminists,free thinkers and gays will feel like in heaven in Egnlandistan. It was really worth to break the chains of that opressive and homophobic church to feel the warmth of multiculturalism. Enjoy .
Ken Livingstone, despite his scepticism on theism, is just a bad example to bring out in any situation. The mans mad, even if he has a few rational thoughts.
Yes he is mad.
This country is dying because of a lack of men, not a lack of programs.
Re: Muslims 'to outnumber traditional churchgoers'
format_quote Originally Posted by barney
Livingstone, despite his scepticism on theism, is just a bad example to bring out in any situation. The mans mad, even if he has a few rational thoughts.
I quite like Ken Livingstone actually, he's got good multiculturalist policies.
Re: Muslims 'to outnumber traditional churchgoers'
[QUOTE=Aaron85;920471]
format_quote Originally Posted by barney
Well if for you a self destruction and moral fall is a natural progression, so I dont want this kind of progression in my country.
Sure and Im also sure that all those feminists,free thinkers and gays will feel like in heaven in Egnlandistan. It was really worth to break the chains of that opressive and homophobic church to feel the warmth of multiculturalism. Enjoy .
Yes he is mad.
1) Then move somewhere else!!! Whats a moral fall anyway? By whose standards? The churches standards of course.
2) Yup the church is oppressive and homophobic. Multiculturalism is the best hope for mankind to be united. Religion needs taking out of the picture before people can be at peace.
3) He needs to be in a padded cell with Boris Johnson.
Occupation: The term of control of a territory by foreign military forces: Iraq 2003-2005 Liberation:when something or someone is freed: Operation Telic 2003
Re: Muslims 'to outnumber traditional churchgoers'
format_quote Originally Posted by Aaron85
Those who think that England (and any other european country) will be forever secular in future are very naive.
Those who think that any country will be independent in the near future are very naive. Long live the FISHMAN EMPIRE!
More seriously, if you extrapolate the current trends of religion being increasingly marginalised and ignored, then yes, western Europe does look set to remain secular. That is ignoring other events that might happen to change the current trends of course.
Would you agree with me that minorities are more likely to practice their religion than the majority group?
Hey there! Looks like you're enjoying the discussion, but you're not signed up for an account.
When you create an account, we remember exactly what you've read, so you always come right back where you left off. You also get notifications, here and via email, whenever new posts are made. And you can like posts and share your thoughts. Sign Up
.
Hooray secularization, Im sure that everyone who supported dechrystianization of England(feminists,atheists,gay activists and crazy leftists like Ken Livingstone) would feel good living in new UK
Re: Muslims 'to outnumber traditional churchgoers'
Hide
Looks like you're enjoying the discussion, but you're not signed up for an account.
Posting Permissions
Bookmarks