RT Article
T1 Much more than a negation of religion: a qualitative exploration of the diversity of non-religious identities in England and Wales
JF Journal of contemporary religion
VO 36
IS 2
SP 329
OP 348
A1 Cheruvallil-Contractor, Sariya
A1 Purdam, Kingsley
A1 Weller, Paul 1956-
LA English
PB Carfax Publ.
YR 2021
UL https://www.ixtheo.de/Record/1774653974
AB Census data for 2011 suggested that around 14.1 million people in England and Wales state that they have no religion and recent survey evidence suggests that the number could be even higher. Drawing on evidence from focus group discussions with people who broadly self-identify with the descriptor ‘non-religious’, this article examines the diversity of non-religious identities and the interfaces with religion and equalities law. Through analysis of the identity narratives of people who see themselves as non-religious, the findings indicate that people use various conceptualisations of non-religion, belief, and spirituality to describe their identities. Moreover, non-religious people also reported experiences of unfair treatment and discrimination due to their identities. The term ‘non-religious’ can be problematic; it can be homogenising and limit people to identifying themselves in terms of the negation of religion. The findings highlight different non-religious identities and thus bring into question the conceptions, both popular and official, of the category ‘non-religious’ and the wider discourse of non-religion. It can be questioned whether the negative label of being non-religious is fit for purpose. There is a need for a new vocabulary to articulate, describe, and understand non-religious identities and experiences.
K1 Secularism
K1 Religion
K1 Non-religious
K1 no religion
K1 Identity
K1 Belief
DO 10.1080/13537903.2021.1936966