UK — According to the findings of a major study the number of atheists in the UK has grown to such an extent that it is now possible to speak of the country’s “first atheist age”.

According to the findings of a major study the number of atheists in the UK has grown to such an extent that it is now possible to speak of the country’s “first atheist age”.

The aim of the ‘Explaining Atheism’ project, led by Queen’s University Belfast was to find out why some individuals are atheists and why some countries have higher percentages of atheists than others.

Dr Jonathan Oloyede, Convener for the National Day of Prayer hin the UK gave is response to these findings.

Dr Jonathan Oloyede:

I think it’s down to parenting structure, I think it’s down to legislation. It’s down to the fact that pray has been taken out of public spaces like schools. There is legislation by government to push Christianity onto the back burner.

Oloyede was speaking during a National Week of Prayer and he said despite these statistics he sees some encouraging signs of UK church uniting together in prayer and outreach.

Dr Jonathan:

There are more churches being planted. There are more prayers going up. There are more people on the street. A week ago we were on the streets, more than a thousand people declaring and marching for Jesus.

So as this growing wave of united prayer and evangelism among the UK churches continues to sweep across the UK it’s hoped this will help to reverse the increase of atheism as people instead turn to God.

Read more on Christian Ministry and Evangelism on Missions Box.