Are Christians really a tiny minority in this country?

[naomi24]

On Theland's thread, below, Jake said that Christians are now a tiny minority in this country. Is that true?

Although most people don't go to church, it seems to me that a great many still believe basically in the Christian philosophy. So the question is, are people obliged to go to church to be Christian, and if not, are Christians really a tiny minority in this country - or is it an illusion created by low statistics in Church attendance?

[123everton]

Going to Church on a Sunday is quite a modern thing in relation to the age of the established Church.
In medieval times you'd only go for births, deaths, weddings and major festivals.
A truer barometer would be the amount of holy communions and confirmations as well as funerals.
I said in a different thread that one of the big problems I find with the C of E is getting in, I work funny hours, I work any (sometimes all) of the days in the week. I'd love to take 10-15 minutes to connect with God or collect my thoughts, if they'd just unlock the doors.

[Ethel]

My local Christian churches include Roman Catholic; Seventh Day Adventist; Pentecostal; Church of England; Baptist and Methodist and many of these churches are very active indeed, in particular the 'gospel' type churches and the Catholic church.

There are also courses which seem to have become almost fashionable to attend, such as the Alpha Course and New Life, both of which are heavily subscribed.

Many people lead Christian lives and consider themselves Christian without attending church - just as many people who wear a Man United football shirt never set foot in Old Trafford yet consider themselves supporters.

Some other people who never give God and religion a thought, let alone attend church, put 'CofE' on official forms and use the church for weddings, christenings and funerals.

I think there is evidence that people are returning to the Christian churches but I believe attendance is a personal matter for one's own conscience.

[jno]

I'm not sure that's so, 123everton: most people would have gone to church on a Sunday in medieval times. It was the only institution that touched everyone's lives (the government was very remote); the church itself would be the most substantial building in town (apart from the lord's house if there was one) and a source of local pride.

This seems to describe it well:
http://library.thinkquest.org/10949/fief/hichu rch.html

Naomi, I'm not sure of what you describe as 'the Christian philosophy'. If you mean principles of living and behaving well, but with actual belief in God stripped out, it's probably not so different from the Muslim or Buddhist or humanist philosophy.

[naomi24]

Sorry, jno, perhaps I should have made that clearer. By Christian philosophy, I meant a belief in God and in Jesus as the son of God.

[jno]

Christians who don't go to church are still Christians, as long as they believe in God. But if you can't rely on church attendance when you're counting heads, then I suppose you have to rely on census forms, and people will write anything on a census form, including Jedi. So there's probably no sure way of knowing how many Christians there are.

[123everton]

Perhaps by counting the amount of holy communions and Christian burial services, I would say that offers an accurate portrayal of their beliefs. Yes or no?
It was on Channel 4 (I think) that I saw about irregular Church attendance in medieval times it was that bloke out of Monty Python (not Michael Palin) who presented it.

[naomi24]

Counting the number who take communion can't be used as a fair yardstick since some churches won't allow those who haven't been 'confirmed' to take communion - and apart from that, some Christian denominations don't follow that ritual. However, counting the number of Christian funerals could be a good indication of people's general beliefs. I'd say that most opt for a Christian funeral service whether their dear departed was church-goer or not.

[123everton]

But you'd at least have to view it as indication of belief, would'nt you?
I cannot imagine a dyed in the wool atheist (like Waldo) having a Christian service, the attendence at Church Ipersonally view as being somewhat irrelevant to a belief in God or even as being integral for the expression of being a good Christian.
I go to several holy communions every year, I get invited to a few Church weddings every year, sadly I go to many funerals every year, never once have I been to an atheist funeral.
Perhaps atheists are the true minority?

[naomi24]

But you'd at least have to view it as indication of belief, would'nt you?

Do you mean communion? If so, bearing in mind what I've said, why would you have to view it as an indication of belief?

I'll bet there are millions who have never taken communion but nevertheless consider themselves to be Christian.

[123everton]

I was actually talking about funerals, but yes I dare say you're right there many people who have never taken communion who view themselves as Christian.
So the short answer to your question, we're in danger of agreeing on this ;-), is no Christians are not a minority in this country.

[Mr Veritas]

I think you have to differentiate between Practising (Church going) Christians,and persons who believe themselves to be Christian,but never go to church.
I think the former ARE decreasing,at least they are in East Sussex where I live.
However the " believing" Christians figure will always be quite high,as many people seem scared to admit to NOT being Christian (for whatever reason).
I believe we are heading towards an almost complete aetheist society eventually,right or wrong.

[beso]

Actually anyone who worships in public is not a true Christian. Jesus instructed followers to worship in private and admonished those he called hypocrites who went to church.

Unsurprisingly you won't find any churches promoting this particular teaching of Christ.

[jake-the-peg]

It's funny

If you ask people what religion they are about70% in this country will say CofE.

Ask them if they believe in God that number drops substantially.

To 38% actually that's a minority last time I checked!
(Page 190 of the latest "Social Trends 2008" from the Office of National Statistics)

A lot of people seem to count themselves Christian racially, that is they're Christian because their family were.

My father was an accountant - that doesn't make me one!

Simple question though - for these Christians.

Do they actually, really believe without reservation that Jesus was the actual Son of God made flesh on this Earth who was literally raised from the dead and will give his believers eternal life.

If the answer is anything other than Yes I cannot see how they can be called Christians.

And I suspect the Yes faction here is even smaller

[jake-the-peg]

Oh and Beso that may be true but I don't think he told them todeny believing in him did he?

Remember his admonishment of Peter and the **** crow.

Next time you're with strangers why not look them in the eye and ask them if they're Christians and see what the response is?

If Christians are still the majority there shouldn't be a problem but we all know what's likely to happen don't we?