I'm unsure how to interpret the final paragraphs in the linked article. It indicates a growth in agnotocism rather than secularism, which just confuses me.
Also states that the overwhelming majority of UK citizens still have some sort of faith, meaning perhaps non-demoninational religion?
I know they're response comments from the CofE, they just don't appear supported by any information presented here.
Any thoughts on that part?
The core problem there is that there is massive misunderstanding and misinterpretation (intentional or not) surrounding all of the terms in this field, not least coming from the mainstream religious groups who, as has been pointed out, have a vested interest in putting a certain spin on these kind of statistics. One of the key problems is accurately measuring a growingly complex and indistinct pattern of beliefs, faiths and religious practices of the population. Just the wording or terminology of the questions in these surveys and studies can make a massive difference in how people answer.
I think a number of parallel shifts are generally clear though. Attendance and active participation in religion has been decreasing for a long time. Diversity of formal religious practice is increasing, both within traditional British faiths and growth of others. People have become more open to (or maybe more open to talking about) varied and unstructured views of spirituality. It has become less socially and legally acceptable for religious beliefs and religious organisations to influence government policy and law (which is what secularism actually is).
I think much of this has been developing for a long time and is steadily becoming more apparent and open, despite many people being in denial about it. Some would seek to use this uncertainty and change to their own advantage and regardless it’s a not insignificant change to our society one way or another so I think it’s vital that we acknowledge and seek to fully understand it.