ANGLICANS usually tend to say that they’re satisfied with their lives, and lots of older churchgoers say that they never feel lonely, a latest survey has shown.
The survey of 10,634 people — who included 3737 Christians, of whom 1979 were Anglicans — was conducted by Opinium for the Belonging Forum, which supports dialogue between faiths. The results underscore other studies which have suggested a powerful association between belonging to a faith group and a perception of greater well-being and health.
Seventy-two per cent of the Christians surveyed — and, of those, 73 per cent who attend Anglican churches — compared with 65 per cent of the final population said that they were satisfied with their lives. The highest satisfaction was found among the many Anglican men and young Anglicans, although younger Anglicans were also more more likely to report greater levels of loneliness than the final population: 19 per cent, compared with 11 per cent. One third (34 per cent) of the Anglicans aged 65-plus surveyed, nonetheless, never felt lonely, compared with 19 per cent of the final population.
The survey found that religious people had higher levels of social connectedness and friendships than the final population. They were more more likely to say that they spoke with their neighbours frequently, with Anglicans saying that they spoke most frequently with neighbours. More men than women said that they hung out chatting to others of their neighbourhood.
Christians were also more more likely to feel strongly connected to their neighbourhood and community. And people within the Church of England were more likely than the final population to say that they’d a really strong sense of belonging to the UK: 46 per cent compared with 31 per cent.
Being a member of the religion community can also be related to a wider friendship group: religious people said that they’d more friends than non-religious people. Younger Christians, specifically, were likelier than the final population to have close friends and be satisfied with their friendships, although there was one anomaly with those within the 18-24 age bracket, where some young Christians reported having no close friends in any respect.
Asked about participation in politics, women within the Church of England and middle-aged people were least more likely to say that they felt represented in politics, although young Anglicans felt well represented.
Kim Samuel, the founding father of the Belonging Forum and creator of On Belonging: Finding connection in an age of isolation, said: “Our extensive research identified several aspects — housing status, disability status, age — that correlate with higher social connectedness, and we found having faith is linked to a deep understanding of belonging.
“This insight underscores the vital role that faith communities proceed to play in nurturing social bonds and providing a way of belonging and purpose within the UK.” In particular, the Belonging Barometer suggested that almost all Christians within the UK feel a powerful sense of attachment to their community which reaps rewards.
“Christian hospitality and compassion shone through the info, particularly a way of neighbourliness and inner contentment.
“The hope that having a faith — any faith — brings is a robust and universal social force for good. Active and energetic communities thrive on loving your neighbour and serving others. Notably, houses of worship bring different generations together to learn from one another and create bonds — something that’s, sadly, increasingly rare, and which we’ll campaign for.
“Interfaith dialogue is critical, too. A various religious society is a more connected and fulfilled society, which could be enjoyed by people of all faiths and none.”
The Belonging Forum is working to create a “charter for belonging” to stipulate initiatives that communities can take to handle social isolation, particularly amongst groups with the very best levels of need, including students, young women, renters, older people, and other people with disabilities.
