Rationalism on the Decline

An examination of the figures of the last census show a marked decrease in the number of Agnostics, Freethinkers, Athiests and Rationalists in New Zealand. No doubt this trend will continue in the light of modern archaeological discoveries and the findings of historians.

A comparison of the figures for 1956 with those for 1951 show that Agnostics dropped from 2083 to 1748, Freethinkers from 3774 to 1661, Athiests from 1746 to 1316, and Rationalists from 2088 to 1188. This represents an overall decline of 36 per cent. in only five years.

In contrast to this sharp decline we find that the Catholic Church has increased its ratio to total population from 13.6 to 14.4 per cent. In fact, since 1945, the Catholic population has risen by more than 17 per cent. while the population of the whole country has risen by only 12 per cent. The three other main Churches—viz., the Anglican, Methodist and Presbyterian ones—all showed a decline in their ratio to total population. These figures of religious affiliation must give a considerable satisfaction to those New Zealanders who are Catholics like myself.

T.J.K.