Forty-Five Religions

Right. You may remember that I was somewhat surprised to hear that “at least 45 religions” were represented in Bristol. So, digitally, at least, I went off to take a look. (Numbers here.)

The first thing to note is that more than half of people (51%) stated that they have no religion. Perhaps my non-believing tendencies are a result of my Bristolian upbringing?

Top of the charts is Christian; with 32% followed by Muslim at 7%. With non-believers, Christians and Muslims, we have covered 90%.

So, there are at least 43 religions in that last 10%. However, there be demons in them statistics...

Included in the range of answers were, Agnostic, Atheist, Mixed, Heathen, “Believe in God” and Realist. Calling those religions might be stretching it a bit.

Slightly worrying ones were the 114 Bristolians who identify as Satanists, who greatly outnumber the followers of the Occult, who just pip the Witches. Having said that there are 99 who answered Wicca and 92 who said Baha’I. Faiths I am only now learning about.

Eckankar? Founded by Paul Twitchell in 1965 apparently.

I feel sad for the people who are the only Bristolians to practice a specific religion. Must be a bit lonely on a Sunday morning. Perhaps the affiliates of the Church of All Religions could reach out to the New Age and Unification Church?

On the news, I hear proclamations from people that Britain is torn apart by immigration. That old religions are being displaced by new religions, that diversity is the death of British values and culture. Call me old-fashioned - or Stu, your choice, but I like to form my own opinion, independent of any platform motivated by who knows what.

I just don't see it.

As a Bristolian, diversity is British values and culture.

Everyone's entitled to their opinion, and I'll be sure to look out for the dystopian picture that some paint, but I'll probably just sit with my notebook, have a pint, and wonder if the person the other table might be one of Bristol's nine Scientologists or ten Reconstructionists.

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