Difference between revisions of "Irreligion in New Zealand"
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{{Cquote|[ [[Jürgen Habermas]] ] ...argues that a new age, the age of [[Postsecularism|post-secularity]], has begun. Previously vastly secularized societies, like the highly developed countries of Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, would experience a new awareness of religion and attribute a new public role to religion. From now on, religion would constitute a relevant dialogue partner in the public debates of these societies (Habermas, 2008). Moreover, Habermas presents a normative argument about public religion: he recommends that post-secular societies should facilitate religious contributions to the public sphere. Religious reasoning could contribute to public debates about the ethical values of contemporaneous and future societies. Habermas believes that modern societies might find some answers to the moral questions of our time by listening to religion in public debates (Habermas, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2008). A similar position to that of Habermas is proposed by Leclerc (2001) and French sociologist Willaime (2004a, 2004b, 2005[1995]: 76-78, 2008). Willaime observes that even the highly secularized public and political sphere of France is exhibiting a new, more open attitude towards religion. The hypersecularity of France would stimulate a restructuration process of religion. According to Willaime, religion can form an important resource for public debates and be engaged in the identity construction process of individuals and collectives.<ref>[https://edoc.unibas.ch/50856/3/20170119190142_5880ff06238b8.pdf How religious is the public sphere? – A critical stance on the debate about public religion and post-secularity], Draft Version, Jens Koehrsen (Köhrsen). Bielefeld Graduate School in History and Sociology, Germany. École des hautes études en sciences socials, France. Published in: Acta Sociologica 55 (3), S. 273-288.</ref>}} | {{Cquote|[ [[Jürgen Habermas]] ] ...argues that a new age, the age of [[Postsecularism|post-secularity]], has begun. Previously vastly secularized societies, like the highly developed countries of Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, would experience a new awareness of religion and attribute a new public role to religion. From now on, religion would constitute a relevant dialogue partner in the public debates of these societies (Habermas, 2008). Moreover, Habermas presents a normative argument about public religion: he recommends that post-secular societies should facilitate religious contributions to the public sphere. Religious reasoning could contribute to public debates about the ethical values of contemporaneous and future societies. Habermas believes that modern societies might find some answers to the moral questions of our time by listening to religion in public debates (Habermas, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2008). A similar position to that of Habermas is proposed by Leclerc (2001) and French sociologist Willaime (2004a, 2004b, 2005[1995]: 76-78, 2008). Willaime observes that even the highly secularized public and political sphere of France is exhibiting a new, more open attitude towards religion. The hypersecularity of France would stimulate a restructuration process of religion. According to Willaime, religion can form an important resource for public debates and be engaged in the identity construction process of individuals and collectives.<ref>[https://edoc.unibas.ch/50856/3/20170119190142_5880ff06238b8.pdf How religious is the public sphere? – A critical stance on the debate about public religion and post-secularity], Draft Version, Jens Koehrsen (Köhrsen). Bielefeld Graduate School in History and Sociology, Germany. École des hautes études en sciences socials, France. Published in: Acta Sociologica 55 (3), S. 273-288.</ref>}} | ||
| − | In 2018, a New Zealand news website declared: "Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks during centenary celebrations at Rātana Church in November. She gifted her Bible to the movement, saying it was a symbol of her promise to lead be a government that was kind and compassionate."<ref>[https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/109580191/godless-nz-not-entirely--were-actually-becoming-a-more-christian-nation Godless NZ? Not entirely - we're actually becoming a more Christian nation] by Martin van Beynen, Dec 29, 2018, www.stuff.co.nz</ref> Jacinda Ardern is an [[agnosticism|agnostic]]. | + | In 2018, a New Zealand news website declared: "Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks during centenary celebrations at Rātana Church in November. She gifted her Bible to the movement, saying it was a symbol of her promise to lead be a government that was kind and compassionate."<ref>[https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/109580191/godless-nz-not-entirely--were-actually-becoming-a-more-christian-nation Godless NZ? Not entirely - we're actually becoming a more Christian nation] by Martin van Beynen, Dec 29, 2018, www.stuff.co.nz</ref> Jacinda Ardern is an [[agnosticism|agnostic]].<ref>Knight, Kim (January 29, 2017). "[https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=11789352 The politics of life: The truth about Jacinda Ardern]". The New Zealand Herald.</ref> |
[[Eric Kaufmann]] is a professor of politics at Birkbeck, University of London and author. His academic research specialty is how demographic changes affect religion/irreligion and politics. | [[Eric Kaufmann]] is a professor of politics at Birkbeck, University of London and author. His academic research specialty is how demographic changes affect religion/irreligion and politics. | ||
Revision as of 09:48, January 2, 2019
The results of this survey indicated that 72% of the population believed in the existence of God or a higher power, 15% are agnostic, and 13% are atheist (the survey had a 3% margin of error).[2]
In 2008, the International Social Survey Programme was conducted in New Zealand by Massey University.[3]
The results of this survey indicated that 72% of the population believed in the existence of God or a higher power, 15% are agnostic, and 13% are atheist (the survey had a 3% margin of error).[4]
Contents
Organized irreligion is very weak in New Zealand
The New Zealand atheist Bob Brockie wrote:
| “ | Atheists are not united in one band in New Zealand. In fact they are not organised at all. If you want to get in touch with an atheist you will find like-minded souls in the New Zealand humanist or rationalist societies, or the NZ Skeptics. The Atheist Republic has a consulate in Auckland.[5] | ” |
In the Western World, atheists are generally apathetic, have weak leadership and engage in a significant amount of infighting (see: Atheism and apathy and Atheism and leadership and Atheist factions). Numerous atheists have declared that the "atheist movement is dead" or that it is dying (see: Decline of the atheist movement)[6]
Irreligion, the growth of the alt-right movement within New Zealand and potential upcoming divisions within New Zealand organized atheism
See also: Atheism and the alt-right and Western atheism, schisms and political polarization
Historically, atheists have skewed to the left politically (see: Atheism and politics).
A very sizable portion of the alt-right movement is made up of atheists. agnostics, and the non-religious (See: Atheism and the alt-right). According to the New Zealand Herald, the alt-right movement is growing in New Zealand.[7]
Western atheists have a reputation for being contentious (see: Atheism and social disharmony). In Western atheism, there have been divisions among atheists related to political polarization which have caused significant infighting (see: Western atheism, schisms and political polarization and Atheist factions).
Both the United States and Britain showed a rise in the religion and/or belief in God recently according to survey data after a period of great contention within the atheist movement (see: American atheism and British atheism).
21st century New Zealand: Irreligion, religion and religious immigrants
According to Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand (an online encyclopedia run by the New Zealand government): "New Zealand has never had an official religion, and the church and state have always been separate. However, churches had a strong influence on issues such as alcohol, censorship, gambling and education."[8]
Due to the sub-replacement levels of births for the irreligious/nonreligious, countries with significant irreligious/nonreligious population often have higher levels of immigration than otherwise might be the case and many of the immigrants are religious (see: Atheism and fertility rates and Desecularization). The 2016 fertility rate of New Zealand was 1.87 births per woman.[9] That is below the replacement level of 2.1 births per woman.
In November of 2017, China was the largest source of immigrants to New Zealand and China is currently experiencing an explosive growth of evangelical Christianity (see: Growth of Christianity in China).[11]
In November of 2017, India was the second largest source of immigrants to New Zealand and India is a very religious country.[12]
In 2018, New Zealand has about 50,000 immigrants from the Philippines. (Filipino New Zealanders are known as kiwipinos).[13] The Philippines is a very religious country. According to Wikipedia, an online encyclopedia founded by an atheist and agnostic, "Irreligion in the Philippines is particularly rare among Filipinos...".[14] In 2017, in terms of country of origin, Filipinos were the 5th greatest source of immigrants to New Zealand.[15]
Large-scale Muslim immigration to New Zealand started in the 1970s with the arrival of Fiji Indians, which was followed in the 1990s by refugees from various war-torn countries. The number of Muslims in New Zealand according to the 2013 census is 46,149, up 28% from 36,072 in the 2006 census.[16]
Growth of evangelical Christianity in New Zealand
In countries that are irreligious than most countries, it is common for evangelical Christianity to be experiencing growth and sometimes rapid/explosive growth (see: Growth of evangelical Christianity in irreligious regions).
According to Stuart M. Lange, author of the book A Rising Tide: Evangelical Christianity in New Zealand 1930–65, evangelical Christianity saw a resurgence in New Zealand in the 1950s/1960s.[17]
According to Christianity Today, evangelical Christianity grew from approximately 13,800 followers in 2006 to 15,400 in 2013."[18]
The Christian organization Operation World indicates there are now 784,015 evangelical Christians in New Zealand (18.2 percent of the population) and that the evangelical population in New Zealand is growing at an annual rate of 0.5 percent.[19]
According to the New Zealand Christian Network:
| “ | We are the NZ member of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) and are committed to representing evangelical faith positions. But we recognise also that the term ‘evangelical’ has different meanings in different countries and contexts, so we are very careful in its usage. NZ evangelicalism seeks to be faithful to scripture and is broad politically and socially.
We offer an opportunity for a visible expression of unity which connects us beyond ourselves, across ministries, towns, cities, local churches, and denominations. Reliable figures suggest 14.5-15% of New Zealanders attend church weekly. 18-19% ‘regularly’. Approximately 500,000 of these Christians are evangelical. This represents a significant constituency that NZCN seeks to serve and represent in different ways.[20] |
” |
A postsecular New Zealand in the 21st century
See also: Postsecularism and New Zealand in the 21st century and Desecularization and Acceleration of 21st century desecularization and Postsecularism
Jens Köhrsen), a professor for religion and economics at the Centre for Religion, Economy and Politics (ZRWP)[21], wrote:
| “ | [ Jürgen Habermas ] ...argues that a new age, the age of post-secularity, has begun. Previously vastly secularized societies, like the highly developed countries of Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, would experience a new awareness of religion and attribute a new public role to religion. From now on, religion would constitute a relevant dialogue partner in the public debates of these societies (Habermas, 2008). Moreover, Habermas presents a normative argument about public religion: he recommends that post-secular societies should facilitate religious contributions to the public sphere. Religious reasoning could contribute to public debates about the ethical values of contemporaneous and future societies. Habermas believes that modern societies might find some answers to the moral questions of our time by listening to religion in public debates (Habermas, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2008). A similar position to that of Habermas is proposed by Leclerc (2001) and French sociologist Willaime (2004a, 2004b, 2005[1995]: 76-78, 2008). Willaime observes that even the highly secularized public and political sphere of France is exhibiting a new, more open attitude towards religion. The hypersecularity of France would stimulate a restructuration process of religion. According to Willaime, religion can form an important resource for public debates and be engaged in the identity construction process of individuals and collectives.[22] | ” |
In 2018, a New Zealand news website declared: "Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks during centenary celebrations at Rātana Church in November. She gifted her Bible to the movement, saying it was a symbol of her promise to lead be a government that was kind and compassionate."[23] Jacinda Ardern is an agnostic.[24]
Eric Kaufmann is a professor of politics at Birkbeck, University of London and author. His academic research specialty is how demographic changes affect religion/irreligion and politics.
In April 2010, Kaufmann, who is an agnostic, declared "the rate of secularisation has flattened to zero in most of Protestant Europe and France."[25] Kaufmann also declared that secularism "appears exhausted and lacking in confidence".[26]
On December 23, 2012, Kaufmann wrote:
| “ | I argue that 97% of the world's population growth is taking place in the developing world, where 95% of people are religious.
On the other hand, the secular West and East Asia has very low fertility and a rapidly aging population... In the coming decades, the developed world's demand for workers to pay its pensions and work in its service sector will soar alongside the booming supply of young people in the third world. Ergo, we can expect significant immigration to the secular West which will import religious revival on the back of ethnic change. In addition, those with religious beliefs tend to have higher birth rates than the secular population, with fundamentalists having far larger families. The epicentre of these trends will be in immigration gateway cities like New York (a third white), Amsterdam (half Dutch), Los Angeles (28% white), and London, 45% white British.[27] [28] |
” |
See also
Essay:
References
- ↑ "Religion In New Zealand: International Social Survey Programme" (PDF). Massey University.
- ↑ "Religion In New Zealand: International Social Survey Programme" (PDF). Massey University.
- ↑ "Religion In New Zealand: International Social Survey Programme" (PDF). Massey University.
- ↑ "Religion In New Zealand: International Social Survey Programme" (PDF). Massey University.
- ↑ Brockie: Is New Zealand a godless country?, www.stuff.co.nz
- ↑
- The “Atheism Movement:” Dead or Alive?, Freethought Blogs
- Atheist activist Seth Andrews keeps seeing reports on social media and the media that the atheist movement is dying, Examining Atheism
- Atheist Aron Ra indicates the atheist movement is dead. Now that that Aron Ra has surrendered...., Examining Atheism
- The Day the Atheist Movement Died by Jack Vance at Atheist Revolution
- Jennifer McCreight on Twitter about the Elevatorgate scandal destroying the atheist movement, Jen McCreight, Twitter
- ↑ How NZ's growing alt-right movement plans to influence the election, New Zealand Herald, 2017
- ↑ Story: Atheism and secularism, Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
- ↑ Fertility rate of NZ
- ↑ Irreligion in the Philippines, July 2018, "Irreligion in the Philippines is particularly rare among Filipinos...".
- ↑ Chinese largest source of New Zealand's migrants: statistics, Xinhuanet.com (Chinese news website)
- ↑ Chinese largest source of New Zealand's migrants: statistics, Xinhuanet.com (Chinese news website)
- ↑ Converge for the Annual Philippine Festival
- ↑ Irreligion in the Philippines, July 2018, "Irreligion in the Philippines is particularly rare among Filipinos...".
- ↑ International travel and migration: December 2017. Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved on 2018.
- ↑ Kiwi converts among New Zealand's Muslim community". stuff.co.nz., www.stuff.co.nz (news website)
- ↑ A Rising Tide: Evangelical Christianity in New Zealand 1930–65 by Stuart M. Lange
- ↑ Evangelical Christianity and New Zealand
- ↑ Operation World - New Zealand
- ↑ New Zealand Christian Network - About page
- ↑ Prof. Dr. Jens Köhrsen, University website faculty page
- ↑ How religious is the public sphere? – A critical stance on the debate about public religion and post-secularity, Draft Version, Jens Koehrsen (Köhrsen). Bielefeld Graduate School in History and Sociology, Germany. École des hautes études en sciences socials, France. Published in: Acta Sociologica 55 (3), S. 273-288.
- ↑ Godless NZ? Not entirely - we're actually becoming a more Christian nation by Martin van Beynen, Dec 29, 2018, www.stuff.co.nz
- ↑ Knight, Kim (January 29, 2017). "The politics of life: The truth about Jacinda Ardern". The New Zealand Herald.
- ↑ Shall the religious inherit the earth? by Eric Kaufmann
- ↑ Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann, Belfer Center, Harvard University/Birkbeck College, University of London
- ↑ London: A Rising Island of Religion in a Secular Sea by Eric Kaufmann, Huffington Post, 2012
- ↑ 97% of the world's population growth is taking place in the developing world, where 95% of people are religious, Tuesday, April 30, 2013
