Well done, Ozzies.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Australian Census data released today.
Atheism increases from 18.7% to 22.3% of the population.
Christianity decreases from 63.9% to 61.1% of the population.
Atheists increased from 3,706,554 to 4,796,785.
Over 1,000,000 more atheists since the last census.

[FBM]

They will burn for this. On the barbie and in hell!

[Gawdzilla Sama]

They will burn for this. On the barbie and in hell!

Actually, they're fireproofing themselves.

[Svartalf]

and they already burning steaks and fish and bacons and sausages and hambergurs on that barbie.

[jonnyscaramanga]

That's impressive. Those numbers massively outstrip other English-speaking countries, don't they?

Anyone got an analysis as to why?

[JimC]

That's impressive. Those numbers massively outstrip other English-speaking countries, don't they?

Anyone got an analysis as to why?

Beer, beaches and sport take priority...

[Hermit]

That's impressive. Those numbers massively outstrip other English-speaking countries, don't they?

Anyone got an analysis as to why?

Not all English-speaking countries.

The growth in atheism in Australia is a slow, fairly consistent trend that is occurring to a larger or smaller degree in most nations of the first world. The proportion of Ireland's population ticking the "no religion" box is quite small, but it has doubled between the past two or three censuses. New Zealand's stands at 34.2% in 2006, up from 25.8 in 1996. I put it down to relatively comfortable living conditions, good communication channels and literacy and a generally high level of education.

Alternatively, it may have something to do with the fact that I arrived in Australia at the time the trend took off. Here is a graph I updated with the latest figures:



There is no equivalent trend indicating an upsurge in interest in diversions such as beer, beaches and sport, so that theory can be put where it belongs, the WPB.

[Thinking Aloud]

I suspect there's more of a tendency for antipodean folks to say, in no uncertain terms, "You're talking out of your arse, mate," when confronted by nonsense.

[Hermit]

I suspect there's more of a tendency for antipodean folks to say, in no uncertain terms, "You're talking out of your arse, mate," when confronted by nonsense.

You're talking out of your arse, mate. Look at the figures for 1901 to 1961.

[rasetsu]

Q: When did the Beatles first visit Australia?

A: On May 13, 1964 they touched down at Darwin Airport to start their Australian tour without Ringo.

Damn you, Ringo. Look what you done did.