Whether retired (34% of occupations recorded) or not, almost all people were in professions. Religious posts were quite varied and accounted for 38% of those who were not retired and a third overall.
Nearly 70% are regular churchgoers ; only 14% do not go at all. The highest proportion of nonchurchgoers were young.
Half of the respondents were Anglicans, the next group were of no denomination and then Quakers and various Unitarian descriptions preceded all other affiliations.
Two thirds have attended SOF Conferences.
Although most had been aware of SOF for three years, not surprisingly the last two conferences attracted most attendees.
Respondents suggest that SOF should address non-realist language ; the role of myths ; twentieth century living ; avoiding hypocrisy ; appropriate lifestyles ; making SOF known, publicity ; non-realism in schools ; inter-faith ; implicit religion in the arts ; religious green issues ; problems, advancement, survival, helping change and seeking common ground inside the churches ; feminism ; internal direction from exclusivity to avoiding exclusivity ; from spiritual activity to inner psychology.
There was a small backlash against feminism. Other dislikes included worship and ritual, liturgy ; trying to relate to dogma ; destructive criticism of orthodoxy and differences with traditional Christians ; moans about the churches and the C. of E. ; ecumenism ; how ministers should do their job ; personal matters, self-criticism ; comparative religion ; griping about the term 'radicalism'; and green issues. So what some like, others don't !
A range of liberal and radical books were suggested, some old, some new. One or two were cultural, philosophical, but little of a political or feminist nature. (I hope we can incorporate a report on these books in an article in a future issue - Ed) Most people would like to attend a monthly group but only 12 would lead or start one and 33 may do. (Four new groups have convened since last summer's conference, Ein;sto4 Louth, Worcester and L/aneg/-wys nr Bullth We/15.) 68 of our 111 would attend an annual gathering though a few (6) would definitely not. People were not fussy about when it happens. Only 10 wanted the conference restricted to one day. 44 people seem generous with money, but if it cost £70-100 we would exclude 70 people. Most would come any time (26% of those interested) and others Tuesday to Thursday (24%) with 12% opting for the weekend. A university campus or conference centre is preferred. Suggested speakers were on the whole liberal Christians with a few philosophers thrown in. Only six of some fifty named speakers were women.
Most people want workshops on the subjects, cited earlier, that SOF should address. Workshops were offered on the arts, SOF's direction, language, schools, the Bible and preaching. A score of people offered talks in various subject areas including worship, theology, philosophy, psychology, literature, education. (This is well up on last year when only four people responded to the invitation to contribute short talks.) Firstly, thanks to everyone who filled out the survey in the last issue. Particular thanks must go to Adrian Worsfold who collated all the replies into a 12 page report for the Steering Committee. Dr Worsfold also prepared a summary much of which is now reproduced below. So here we go ...
Half the number on the mailing list responded to the survey (111). 32% were female and 68% were male.
Nearly half of the respondents were 51-65 and a further 17% were over 66. 17% fell in the 16-35 bracket whilst 36-50 accounted for a fifth of respondents.
Most people like the magazine. It gives a range of views, a voice and is well presented. On the other hand, it is over-academic, too dry and likes navel-gazing. What is liked depends on taste and only serves to illustrate what a mixed bag the readership is. Articles should address the kinds of things listed earlier for SOF's attention. Only 23 will write and 47 may offer something. Most wanted the name to stay the same but others thought of using Latin and involving a direct or coded reference to radicalism. (See page 13 for some of these ideas.) So there we are. We know a bit more about ourselves and what people are looking for in SOF. Admittedly on just a hundred or so replies this may only be half the picture, but based on experience of our conferences the proportional make-up of the network that emerges would seem to ring largely true. There is much for conference organisers and the Steering Committee to ponder. I'm very grateful for all the feedback on the magazine and hope to be able to employ some of it as useful guidance for potential contributors. For the moment I'm fairly confident there will be something you'll like or dislike in this issue ! Clive D Richards (Editor)
ADRIAN WORSFOLD lives in Clowne, Derbyshire, and is a member of the SOF Steering Committee.