ABSTRACT
The British Social Attitudes information may give institutions a crude indication of the level of resources that should be allocated to religious and to non-religious care. But it is worth reflecting on what sorts of questions may be most relevant in a pastoral, spiritual, and religious care context. Great care is also needed in describing people who define themselves as non-religious. Being non-religious is not just a default or indifferent position, it is a positive aspect of the lives of many non-religious people. Hence the pastoral and spiritual care needs of people with non-religious beliefs and values need to be taken just as seriously as the needs of people with religious beliefs and values. A person's religion or belief can influence their social attitudes. Some of these social attitudes can be contested within society: assisted dying and same-sex marriage are some examples.
