ABSTRACT
Based mainly on analysis of recent survey material, this chapter examines the ‘measurable’ relationships between religion and politics. It begins by charting the changing religious landscape of Northern Ireland, assessing the extent to which secularization has occurred in the region and asking how far we can talk about the persistence of religion. Following this, an up-to-date analysis of political attitudes and identity in Northern Ireland is presented. The chapter also examines the relationship between religious and political attitudes and behaviour. It finds that religion is a very good predictor of national identity, political identity and voting behaviour. Protestants are fairly homogenous in that they see themselves as not Irish and not nationalist. Similarly (although to a somewhat lesser extent), the vast majority of Catholics see themselves as not British and not unionist. This is why demography in Northern Ireland has often been termed a ‘sectarian headcount’. There are mixed views within communities about the possibility of united Ireland and maintenance of the union with Britain, although there are clear trends for Protestants preferring the union with Britain and Catholics preferring Irish unity. However, whilst religious affiliation is central to political attitudes, religious behaviour and beliefs are not. Churchgoing and strength of religious beliefs do not actually seem to tell us very much about wider social and political attitudes. Fervent religious views do not correlate with fervent political views. The chapter concludes by suggesting possible reasons for this disjuncture and argues for the importance of looking beyond statistical analysis, outlining a rationale for approaching the relationship more qualitatively.
