Town one of most religious in country (From Warrington Guardian)

Town one of most religious in country

12:30pm Friday 11th January 2013 in News

Rev Stephen Kingsnorth with Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams

WARRINGTON is not losing its religion according to the latest 2011 Census statistics released this year.

While 0.3 per cent of the town’s population declared their religion as Jedi Knights and 52 people chose to worship heavy metal 71 per cent said they were Christians.

The borough was ranked 21st most Christian out of the 363 authorities in England and Wales under the national survey.

The Reverend Stephen Kingsnorth said Warrington has always been very open to all faiths and all religious groups are included in discussions on policies with organisations like Warrington Borough Council.

He said: “I’m pleasantly surprised that people feel they want to declare their faith.It covers a multitude of attitudes from those who have baptism to those very active in their faith community.

“We have a very active and inclusive faith community.”

And with a town which still celebrates its strong links to faith through walking days Mr Kingsnorth believes it helps those with spiritual faith.

He added: “I assume in the UK because there are more people of other faiths, people are more ready to declare they are Christian because they want to differentiate themselves because other faith groups in community are vocal about their own faith.

“When I talk to other faith communities I always come away feeling very privileged to be in Warrington because faith links are so good.”

The figure for those declaring no religious beliefs was 20.4 per cent, a 10 per cent increase on the previous census in 2001.

But in the north west the figure for those with no beliefs was lower than anywhere else in the country and towns in the region took the top 13 for highest percentage of Christians.

“In the north west there is a strong Irish tradition and there is a strong Catholic link in Lancashire so the religious links have always been established,” added Mr Kingsnorth.

Warrington also has 180 pagans, 120 spiritualists and 39 wiccans among the census results.

• Population: 202,228
• Religion: Christian 144,405
• Buddhist 457
• Hindu 1,118
• Jewish 147
• Muslim 2,097
• Sikh 361
• Other religion 513
• No religion 41,293
• Religion not stated 11,837.