Worldviews

 

Worldviews

Worldview is how people interpret the world around them through knowledge, culture, and way of life. It helps people to assess the bigger picture of life such as what happens after death. For some, this could have religious meaning. For others, it could be purely based on science. My worldview is assessed through my religion, experiences, and partially what I have been taught by my parents and peers. However, my worldview as an American differs from that of a Britian. Therefore, we must ask big questions and see perspectives from all different angles.

There are three categories of worldview: atheistic, spiritualistic, and religious. An atheistic point of view means that there is a not a belief in god(s). They also believe that they will pave their own way and are responsible for how they want to live. Furthermore, they believe that there is no life after death. Spiritualistic worldview acknowledges that there is a higher power, and they are responsible for their path in life. Religious outlooks make it apparent that they believe in a higher power or god. These worldviews can change throughout our lifetime just like how it did for the British. 

For most of its history, Britian has had a strong Christian background. According to an article from Humanists UK, other religions include Anglican, Catholic, and more. However, there has been a sudden shift in recent decades regarding religion. According to British Social Attitudes Survey, fifty-three percent of Britian’s do not have a religion. Interestingly, even though over half of the population does not have a religion, they still believe in some sort of life after death. The number of people identifying with no religion is growing at a fast pace. Overall, Britian has leaned towards a more atheistic view of the world. 

While a growing number of British people identify as non-religious, thirty-three percent of Britian’s believe in some form of the afterlife. YouGov's study found that 38% of women and 26% of men believe in life after death, showing a higher belief among women. The study also shows as a man ages, their belief in life after death falls. The study shows that 39% of men sixteen- to twenty-four-year-old men believe in the afterlife. However, men sixty years or older fall to 20% belief. From the religious standpoint, 69% of religious Britons believe in the afterlife while 11% do not. Non-religious Britons have a 17% belief in the afterlife in contrast to the 59% that do not. However, there are some different thoughts as to what happens after death. 

For most believers, they think that the soul goes to heaven or a place like it. Although, 16% believe that they will be reincarnated and 6% believe they will turn into a ghost. As for the rest of the believers, they feel like there is something after death, but not sure what. Moreover, half of the population does not believe in heaven or hell. There are 39% of religiously affiliated Britons that believe in heaven but only 18% believe in both heaven and hell. Only 19% of British people believe they can contact the dead, reiterating the idea that Britian has a more atheistic view of the world.

This atheistic worldview is made up of over half of the population. However, there are still religious and spiritualistic British people. The non-religious make up 53% of the population, 18% Christians, 12% Anglican, 7% Catholic, and 9% other. So, while the non-religious make up most of the group, there are still many religiously practicing Britons. The UK government is also supportive of the people choosing their religion. It is a human right to be able to choose your preferred religion. Overall, Britian has an atheistic worldview but not everyone is tied down to that title. It is important to remember that everyone is different, and different worldviews should be respected.