Decline in religious belief in Ireland

[catsmate]

Based on the RedC poll, carried in most newspapers today, there has been a sharp drop in religious belief here over the last seven years. Now less than half the population (47%) describe themselves as "religious" as opposed to 59% in 2005.


According to the research, the Republic of Ireland is now in the top ten for the number of people declaring themselves to be "a convinced atheist".

The RCC isn't saying a lot; an earlier (Amarach) poll indicating even church members don't agree with the policies in force, e.g. 77% believe women should be ordained and 90% believe priests should be able to marry.

 

[Zelenius]

Based on the RedC poll, carried in most newspapers today, there has been a sharp drop in religious belief here over the last seven years. Now less than half the population (47%) describe themselves as "religious" as opposed to 59% in 2005.


According to the research, the Republic of Ireland is now in the top ten for the number of people declaring themselves to be "a convinced atheist".

The RCC isn't saying a lot; an earlier (Amarach) poll indicating even church members don't agree with the policies in force, e.g. 77% believe women should be ordained and 90% believe priests should be able to marry.

I am not sure if this is totally positive, since they may be trading in one set of superstitious beliefs for another set of superstitious beliefs, while becoming "less religious". The decline of organized religion often leaves a vacuum that is quickly filled with New Agey woo.

That said, it is always a positive thing when the Catholic Church loses influence in a country. It is almost like the Domino effect, in country after country(in the first world anyway), the Catholic Church has quickly faded into irrelevance, along with Christianity in general.

 

[mikeyx]

I am not sure if this is totally positive, since they may be trading in one set of superstitious beliefs for another set of superstitious beliefs, while becoming "less religious". The decline of organized religion often leaves a vacuum that is quickly filled with New Agey woo.

That said, it is always a positive thing when the Catholic Church loses influence in a country. It is almost like the Domino effect, in country after country(in the first world anyway), the Catholic Church has quickly faded into irrelevance, along with Christianity in general.

I'd allow for the possibility of celtic revivalism, and again antitheism is dully noted.

 

[Halfcentaur]

Perhaps the IRA will take up worship of the Horned God once again, and perhaps Cuchulain will return, ready to let the warp spasm unleash!

 

[shuttlt]

I only hope Ireland is ready for the violence and criminality so often associated with atheism's lack of a moral compass. The peace and unity of past decades will be but a happy memory. Very sad.

 

[rjh01]

It is less power to one woo group. Even if the people go to several other groups each group will have far less power. They will not work together and eventually will self destruct.

 

[Lowpro]

How can people slowly stop believing in Ireland? It's right there on a map

 

[Darth Rotor]

Decline in religious belief in Ireland

I'll offer up a hypothesis:

That is because a whole lot of their priests seem to be coming across the pond.

 

[geni]

I only hope Ireland is ready for the violence and criminality so often associated with atheism's lack of a moral compass. The peace and unity of past decades will be but a happy memory. Very sad.

The republic of ireland has been fairly peaceful for the last few decades.

 

[abaddon]

Based on the RedC poll, carried in most newspapers today, there has been a sharp drop in religious belief here over the last seven years. Now less than half the population (47%) describe themselves as "religious" as opposed to 59% in 2005.


According to the research, the Republic of Ireland is now in the top ten for the number of people declaring themselves to be "a convinced atheist".

The RCC isn't saying a lot; an earlier (Amarach) poll indicating even church members don't agree with the policies in force, e.g. 77% believe women should be ordained and 90% believe priests should be able to marry.

What can I say? I remember the JP2 visit in 1979, scutting around in the mud of the Pheonix Park, trying to get a glimpse of his rolliness for the lolz. Let me tell you the interest palled rapidly. But, that was what you did, at the time. I was only ten, but had already formed the view that the RCC clergy were so out of touch with reality, that they were irrelevant, and it was bunk anyway.

Lucky me, I wasn't a victim of the RCC, but I heard lots from those who were.

This country has changed so drastically that if another papal visit occurs, I am pretty sure there will be people throwing things. I have no idea who they might be, or why they might protest. I do know that they will be justified.

 

[Last of the Fraggles]

Well, I'll offer a hypothesis that in reality the levels of belief haven't actually changed all that much but given the negative PR the Church has suffered in Ireland (and elsewhere) the people who were borderline but would have erred on the side of religion in their response are now tending to err the other way.

 

[Dcdrac]

If it is true I am glad, the ireland my mum and dad grew up in was a third world priest riddled place.

 

[Dcdrac]

There is an urban myth that when the Arch Bishop of Dublin told all good catholics to stop watching Father Ted the ratings went right through the roof

 

[catsmate]

Well, I'll offer a hypothesis that in reality the levels of belief haven't actually changed all that much but given the negative PR the Church has suffered in Ireland (and elsewhere) the people who were borderline but would have erred on the side of religion in their response are now tending to err the other way.

I believe the repudiation of the hierarchy and their authoritarian methods, caused partially by the numerous scandals, have shook things loose. People are thinking for themselves, thought this may lead them to variant religions.
It's more the scale than the change itself, which isn't that new (I remember when No Lions in the Hierarchy was shiny and controversial).

Non-belief and the acceptance of the irrelevancy of religion to life are rising.

 

[Ryokan]

There is an urban myth that when the Arch Bishop of Dublin told all good catholics to stop watching Father Ted the ratings went right through the roof

 

[Dog Breakfast]

I only hope Ireland is ready for the violence and criminality so often associated with atheism's lack of a moral compass. The peace and unity of past decades will be but a happy memory. Very sad.

Careful about Poe's Law!

I'm always tempted to read more into this sort of thing than I probably should (see for example the USA Today tables illustrating the similar trend in the country from 1990 - 2008) thinking religion is in its death throes or something, but it's only seven years. I just wonder what the specific trends have been for the entire world over the past, say, 500 years. But even then, 500 years is nothing. Sigh.

 

[Robrob]

I only hope Ireland is ready for the violence and criminality so often associated with atheism's lack of a moral compass. The peace and unity of past decades will be but a happy memory. Very sad.

In your world, are there unicorns?

Feel free to provide some examples of "violence and criminality so often associated with atheism's lack of a moral compass." Please don't forget to compare them to the long term and still on going religious based violence Ireland has suffered for generations?

 

[westprog]

In your world, are there unicorns?

Feel free to provide some examples of "violence and criminality so often associated with atheism's lack of a moral compass." Please don't forget to compare them to the long term and still on going religious based violence Ireland has suffered for generations?

The Irish Republic was one of the safest places in the world for generations. Of course, this was at a cost, including a system that took children from their parents to be sex slaves to perverts. However, the disillusion with the church has been accompanied by a massive increase in crime, violence and social disintegration.

 

[Dog Breakfast]

The question is, did the disillusionment with the church cause the increase in crime, violence, and social disintegration?

 

[Orphia Nay]

Thanks for the links to the interesting poll.

Stats for Australia:

A religious person         37%
Not a religious person     48%
A convinced atheist        10%
Don't know/ no response    5%

Yay!


I also note that the percentage of religious in the USA in 2005 was 73% and in 2012 it is down to 60%.
The number of atheists went from 1% to 5%.

Globally, 14% of females are atheists, compared to 12% of males.