Menu
12/12/2012
Dawkins Congratulates Wales On Religion Decline
Prominent atheist and scientist Professor Richard Dawkins has welcomed the news that a third of people in Wales claim to have no religion.
The figure came from the publication of the 2011 census.
Prof Dawkins siad Wales was "ahead of the rest of the UK" in showing a decline in religious belief.
32% in Wales have no religion, according to the census. The figure in the UK is 25%.
Of people in Wales who describe themselves as believers, the number of Christians has declined by 14 percentage points to 57%.
Prof Dawkins said told BBC Radio Wales’ Good Morning Wales programme: "I congratulate the people of Wales in coming out ahead of the rest of the United Kingdom in this respect - well done."
He said he believed in the "wonder" of scientific truth.
"People who are educated in religion are positively encouraged not to investigate, not to think sceptically about why they are here, but instead to accept what people wrote 2,000 years ago.
"I guess we do need focal points for communities but you can say also that religion has been a focal point for all sorts of backward, indeed bigoted, thinking about homosexuality, about abortion, the right to die, that we're seeing at the moment."
But Dawkins also said the outlook for Christianity in the UK may be worse than the census shows.
He said his foundation found through research that many people who claim to be Christian do so because they think of themselves "as a good person", rather than a belief in the Christian religion itself.
(IT)
The figure came from the publication of the 2011 census.
Prof Dawkins siad Wales was "ahead of the rest of the UK" in showing a decline in religious belief.
32% in Wales have no religion, according to the census. The figure in the UK is 25%.
Of people in Wales who describe themselves as believers, the number of Christians has declined by 14 percentage points to 57%.
Prof Dawkins said told BBC Radio Wales’ Good Morning Wales programme: "I congratulate the people of Wales in coming out ahead of the rest of the United Kingdom in this respect - well done."
He said he believed in the "wonder" of scientific truth.
"People who are educated in religion are positively encouraged not to investigate, not to think sceptically about why they are here, but instead to accept what people wrote 2,000 years ago.
"I guess we do need focal points for communities but you can say also that religion has been a focal point for all sorts of backward, indeed bigoted, thinking about homosexuality, about abortion, the right to die, that we're seeing at the moment."
But Dawkins also said the outlook for Christianity in the UK may be worse than the census shows.
He said his foundation found through research that many people who claim to be Christian do so because they think of themselves "as a good person", rather than a belief in the Christian religion itself.
(IT)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
03 June 2011
Four Die In Refinery Blast
A police investigation has been launched following an explosion at a Pembrokeshire oil refinery. It has been confirmed that four people died as a result of the incident and one worker remains critically ill. The blast occured around 6.
Four Die In Refinery Blast
A police investigation has been launched following an explosion at a Pembrokeshire oil refinery. It has been confirmed that four people died as a result of the incident and one worker remains critically ill. The blast occured around 6.
24 June 2015
Body Of Newborn Baby Found In Cardiff River
Police in Cardiff have reportedly recovered the body of a newborn baby from the River Taff. It is understood that South Wales Police were called to the scene at about 18:00 on Tuesday. The scene has been sealed and an investigation is underway. Police have appealed for information.
Body Of Newborn Baby Found In Cardiff River
Police in Cardiff have reportedly recovered the body of a newborn baby from the River Taff. It is understood that South Wales Police were called to the scene at about 18:00 on Tuesday. The scene has been sealed and an investigation is underway. Police have appealed for information.
06 May 2015
Two Men Charged Over Methyr Tydfil Heroin Seizure
Two men have been charged with possession with intent to supply following the discovery of heroin in Merthyr Tydfil. South Wales Police seized heroin worth an estimated £40,000, while executing a search warrant at an address in Thomas Dyke, Penydarren.
Two Men Charged Over Methyr Tydfil Heroin Seizure
Two men have been charged with possession with intent to supply following the discovery of heroin in Merthyr Tydfil. South Wales Police seized heroin worth an estimated £40,000, while executing a search warrant at an address in Thomas Dyke, Penydarren.
21 April 2015
11-Year-Old Arrested In Connection With Wild Fires
South Wales Police have arrested a number of children, one as young as 11, in connection with grass fires across the Rhondda valley, which has suffered more grass fires than any other south Wales area.
11-Year-Old Arrested In Connection With Wild Fires
South Wales Police have arrested a number of children, one as young as 11, in connection with grass fires across the Rhondda valley, which has suffered more grass fires than any other south Wales area.
30 March 2015
North Wales Police Investigate Child Approach At Supermarket
North Wales Police have launched an investigation after a child was approached by a man outside a supermarket in Llandudno on Saturday. It is understood that the 8-year-old boy was walking from the Asda store when a man, wearing black trousers, a black walking type jacket with a blue trim and a hat, approached him at about 20:00.
North Wales Police Investigate Child Approach At Supermarket
North Wales Police have launched an investigation after a child was approached by a man outside a supermarket in Llandudno on Saturday. It is understood that the 8-year-old boy was walking from the Asda store when a man, wearing black trousers, a black walking type jacket with a blue trim and a hat, approached him at about 20:00.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy day with a little light rain or drizzle at times, but some spells of drier weather too. The north coast may become somewhat brighter later this afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Cloudy and patchy light rain will slowly clear away this evening. Then the rest of the night will be dry with broken cloud. Westerly winds freshening in the early hours. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
