The Telegraph today reports on a YouGov poll which shows a steep decline in religious belief over the last four decades. For example, where 77 per cent of people questioned in 1968 professed a belief in God, only 44 per cent do now, with 35 per cent saying they don't believe in God (more than three times as many as said this in 1968) and 21 per cent Don't Knows. The full table of responses is here.
In the same connection, I'll take the opportunity to respond to a question raised by DC the other day. It was apropos this post of mine, and I read it as asking (something like) why, as an unbeliever, I don't much put myself about challenging or mocking the religious beliefs of others. My answer, in a nutshell, is that I see this as a matter of different 'modes'. If and when religious belief comes up for direct discussion, I see no problem in giving my reasons for being an atheist. It might be in the context of a philosophy seminar or more informal such exchange, of actually being invited to explain my thinking on the issue, or of responding to a dismissal of secularism/atheism as wrong-headed, impoverished, etc (a challenge I have taken up more than once on this blog).
In any case, I feel quite comfortable with serious discussion in this vein - with considered attempts to set out arguments about religion one way and another. But outside that context, I have no desire to upset anyone in what might be his or her most cherished beliefs by making fun of these off-the-cuff, or characterizing them in a diminishing or dismissive fashion. Day-to-day interchange with others of a different outlook constitutes another 'mode'. This isn't to say that I think no one should ever diminish or mock religious belief, or that the law should be brought in to prevent them doing so. There are contexts and occasions where it is not merely permissible but to the point: for example, in comedy, or to deflate religious presumption or arrogance. But there are also plenty of contexts and occasions where, even as a resolute unbeliever, it is right to treat the beliefs of others with respect, or tact.
The question needs a longer discussion, but I just lay down some markers.