New Books in Critical Theory Anna Strhan and Rachael Shillitoe, "Growing Up Godless: Non-Religious Childhoods in Contemporary England" (Princeton UP, 2025)
Sep 10, 2025
Anna Strhan, a Reader in Sociology at York, and Rachael Shillitoe, a senior social scientist, dive into the intriguing world of non-religious childhoods in England. They discuss how children navigate their beliefs without traditional religious frameworks, exploring their identity formation and ethical commitments. Delving into the role of schools, they highlight the impact of secular education on children’s understanding of spirituality. The conversation opens avenues for future research on how non-religiosity shapes youth identity in a rapidly changing society.
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Non-Religion As A Distinct Phenomenon
- Non-religion is best studied as a distinct phenomenon, not merely the absence of religion.
- It includes identities and practices understood in relation to religion, like humanism or 'spiritual but not religious'.
Kids Combine Science And Playful Beliefs
- Children often reject belief in God by appealing to science and reason as explanatory frameworks.
- They also freely hold playful supernatural beliefs (ghosts, unicorns) alongside scientific views.
Belief Transmission Is Interactive
- Parents and children co-create belief trajectories through everyday conversations and school-triggered questions.
- Many parents value children's autonomy but still influence choices in messy, sometimes contradictory ways.
