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Religious affilliation and spirituality

There has been a decline in religious membership and practices (particularly evident in attendance at Christian churches) although religious belief still remains relatively high. New forms of personalised spirituality have also developed. However, there are higher levels of religious practice amongst many ethnic minority groups (for example, 95% of Poles are practising Catholics). [1]

What are the implications?

• Religion provides a source of support for their members, a decline in religious membership may mean that other sources of support are needed.
• Religion is sometimes seen as an antidote to a materialistic or consumer society.  The search for spirituality (though perhaps not religious membership) may increase in the future.
• People who practice a religion are more likely to volunteer than others. A decline in religious membership may reduce numbers of volunteers and levels of giving.

Moving forward

Faith groups may increasingly need to work with other secular civil society organisations in order to have legitimacy with non religious people.

• Do you need to think about who you work in collaboration with?

As people increasingly search for some form of value in their lives, they may look to VCOs to provide this to them. This could vary from religious or spiritual values to campaigning on behalf of social justice or environmental issues

• Can your organisation show it is driven by its values?

Many voluntary organisations were established by religious groups, a decline in religious membership may impact on the characteristics of the sector in the future.

• Is your organisation clear on how the needs of your users are changing?

What role does monitoring and evaluation play in your strategic planning? How could an understanding of changing need help you to develop more effective services in the future? You could think about this in two ways:

• Opportunities to improve: Should you need to change how you work or be more responsive?
• Opportunities to innovate: Should you serve new or different users?

Want to know more?

Faith and Voluntary Action: an overview of current evidence and debates

Published by: NCVO

Date: 2007

Format: PDF,1.2MB

What is it? A report exploring the faith sector as part of the wider voluntary and community sector including a set of essays by external contributors.

How useful is this? This report gives an overview of the faith sector and provides a review of existing evidence about faith-based giving and voluntary action.  It aims to clarify the debate around faith and faith-based organisations in the context of current policy agendas and highlights the implications for both secular and faith-based organisations.  Topics covered in the essays from external authors include: the place of faith-based organisations in civil society: faith as a motivation of voluntary action; the relationship between faith and social capital; and the role of faith-based organisations in governance and service delivery.

2001 Citizenship Survey: Religion in England and Wales

Published by: Communities and Local Government – A Government Department

Date: 2004

Format: PDF

What is it? A statistical analysis of the relevance of religion in the lives of people in England and Wales today.

How useful is this? A detailed report providing statistics and analysis on factors including: the relevance of religion; the importance of religion to people’s self identify; and religious discrimination.  Of particular relevance is Chapter 5 which looks at religion and social and civic participation which includes information on volunteering and participation in social groups.

Faith as social capital: Connecting or dividing?

Published by: The Joseph Rowntree Foundation – a research and development charity which commissions social research

Date: 2006

Format: Web (findings, full report available to download as PDF)

What is it? This report examines the links and bridges faith communities make in society and the obstacles they face in further development.

How useful is this? An in-depth report which seeks to explore the contribution of faith communities to social capital looking at issues such as internal and external obstacles for developing social capital and the possible negative affects of compliance with government agendas.  It explores areas such as: the faith frameworks connecting faiths and secular organisations; use of faith buildings; and participation in formal governance.  Chapter 7 includes information on community organisation and citizen development.

References

1. Church Census [back]