The recent retraction of the Bible Society’s report regarding the attendance of Generation Z in churches has brought much-needed clarity, although the “fraudulent” data highlighted by YouGov only represents part of the truth. The fundamental assertion of the report—that young individuals are returning to church in significant numbers—was already seen as an anomaly when compared to the highly regarded British Social Attitudes (BSA) survey.

Our fresh examination of the BSA findings indicates that 60% of individuals aged 16 to 34 do not affiliate with any religion. Moreover, this trend is not merely a temporary phase associated with youth; a staggering 94% of those who were raised in non-religious environments continue to identify as non-religious into adulthood. For this demographic, the quest for meaning is rooted not in religious doctrine, but in humanistic principles such as reason, compassion, and individual responsibility.

As the Church of England’s representation shrinks to just 10% of the overall population, the gap between national institutions and the British populace has reached unprecedented levels. It is crucial to shift our perspective and stop viewing the non-religious as a mere absence; instead, we should acknowledge them as a community that upholds a positive ethical framework deserving of equal recognition in public discourse.

Andrew Copson
Chief Executive, Humanists UK

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