This edition of Postcard from Gloucester is mainly about Jim´s trip next week to Holland to participate in the Values of Europe Conference, an international conference of sociologists. For the last year or so Jim has been working with the data from the European Values Study and in particular the questions relating to the trends of religious beliefs, practices and attitudes. He will be making a presentation of his work during the conference and also learning from others who have been researching different aspects.

Most sociologists of religion accept the secularization thesis which argues that as societies modernize they become more secular, or put another way, as they become more prosperous and democratic, they have less need for religion. This process of secularization, once started, influences each generation more than that which came before leading to a younger generation of Europeans who have little or no interest in God or religion. Not everyone agrees with this thesis arguing that many Europeans are “believing without belonging”, that is, they continue to believe in God even though they might not attend church.

Jim´s presentation is called “Belief on the Bounce? Exceptional cases of religious resurgence among the youth of Europe”. Using the data from the 25 principal countries in Europe he has focused on the youngest group of respondents to the survey (20-29 year olds) and found that, contrary to what secularization theory would predict, in certain European countries there are signs of a rebound in openness to God.

Summing this up in a few words is difficult but here are a few highlights:

• 69% of all Europeans and 62% of 20-29s say they believe in God. Contrary to the normal trend, in Bulgaria more 20-29s believe in God than each of the older generations.
• Only 16% of 20-29 year-olds say that religion is “very important” in their life. However in the Czech Republic, the most secular country in Europe, more 20-29 year olds say this than either of the previous two generations. This particular finding, which is statistically significant, flies in the face of what the secularization thesis would predict.
• Only 6% of all Europeans and 9% of 20-29s declare themselves to be atheist. In contrast, 65% of all Europeans and 53% of 20-29s say they are “religious”.
• Weekly attendance at acts of worship is low across the whole of Europe with only 17% of all Europeans and 10% of 20-29s saying they attend. Nevertheless, generally 20-29s are pretty much the same as 30-39s in this regard and in nine countries there are signs of a bounce in attendance.
• Daily prayer is a reality for 27% of Europeans and 17% of the 20-29s, though in certain countries it is really scarce: of this age group, only one in 25 Germans, one in 40 Austrians and one in 60 Belgians pray every day. Nevertheless, in six countries there was some suggestion of increased daily prayer among youth.
• Perhaps most surprisingly of all, confidence in the church is higher in general among the 20-29s than the 30-39s. In Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Russia and the Ukraine there are more 20-29s who have a “great deal of confidence” in the church than 30-39s.

Clearly these findings are going to get a reaction from the most strident defenders of the secularization thesis so please pray that I would be able to defend my findings with authority and Christian love.

Finally, as Jim returns from Holland on Alex’s 16th birthday and Rosie has her 14th just a few days later, we ask your prayers for them.

With our love and prayers as always,

Jim and Christine