Irreligion in the Republic of Ireland

According to the 2011 Irish Census, 6% of Irish citizens are irreligious.[1] Ireland has been traditionally devoutly Catholic throughout most of its modern history.[2] This number is thought to be higher due to citizens describing themselves as "cultural Catholics".[3] Religion is declining in Ireland.[4][5]

A 2006 Dentsu poll found that 7% of Ireland had no religion. According to Greeley (2003), 5% of those in Ireland do not believe in God, but only 2% accept the self-identification of “atheist.” According to Ingelhart et al. (2004) and Davie (1999), 4% of the Irish do not believe in God.[6]

In a 2007-2008 Gallup Poll, 42% of Ireland answered no to the question "Does religion occupy an important place in your life?" and in the 2011 Gallup, 53% of Ireland answered no.

A 2010 Bishops Conference survey found that 10.1% of Irish Roman Catholics did not believe in god.[7]

According to a 2012 WIN-Gallup International poll, Ireland had the 2nd highest decline in religiosity from 69% in 2005 to 47% in 2012, while those who considered themselves not a religious person increased 25% in 2005 to 44% in 2012. The poll also showed that 10% of Ireland now consider themselves convinced atheists, which is a vast increase from 2005.[8]

References

  1. ↑ Email Us. "Is there a new face of atheism? - The Irish Times - Fri, Oct 26, 2012". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2012-10-29.
  2. ↑ "Cultural factors help cause surprise". Irish Times. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
  3. ↑ "Big rise in people with no faith but 84pc still Catholic". Independent. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
  4. ↑ "Global Index of Religiosity and Atheism" (PDF). Gallup. Retrieved 2012-09-02.
  5. ↑ 08/08/2012 6:05 pm Updated: 08/09/2012 12:11 pm (2012-08-08). "Religiosity Plummets In Ireland And Declines Worldwide; Atheism On The Rise". Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2012-09-07.
  6. ↑ "мЮСВМШИ ЮРЕХГЛ. Phil Zuckerman: Atheism: Contemporary Rates and Patterns". Atheism.ru. Retrieved 2012-10-05.
  7. ↑ "Religious Practice and Values in Ireland: A summary of European Values Study 4th wave data" (PDF). Catholicbishops.ie. Retrieved 2012-10-05.
  8. ↑ "Atheists Rally On National Mall" (PDF). Redcreearch.ie. Retrieved 2012-10-05.