NZers Becoming Less Religious
Thursday, April 2nd, 2009According to a recent survey of 1000 New Zealanders by researchers from the Department of Communication, Journalism and Marketing at Massey University 40% of respondents claim no religious affiliation. 17 years ago this number was just 29%.
53% claim belief in God but half of this number express doubts.
60% would like children to have religious education with most of them preferring the teaching of all faiths. As an atheist myself, I’m strongly in favour of teaching religion in schools; particularly if it is taught in an even-handed and factual manner. (In the words of cultural anthropologist Dr. David Eller, “Nothing is more destructive to religion than other religions; it is like meeting one’s own anti-matter twin.”)
