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Religion

The 1991 census returns showed that 84 per cent of people were members of one of the main Christian denominations. 11 per cent of people either refused to answer the question on religion or gave their religion as 'none'. The first table below gives a summary breakdown of the responses to the religion question. The figure of 84 per cent in Northern Ireland is significantly higher than the 56 per cent of people in Britain who consider themselves to belong to a Christian denomination. People in Northern Ireland are also more frequent attenders at church than those in the UK. More than 50 per cent in Northern Ireland are churchgoers compared with 15 per cent in the rest of the UK. Furthermore, women in Northern Ireland are more frequent churchgoers than men, with 61 per cent of women attending church frequently, compared with just 39 per cent men. A survey carried out in 1993 by the Northern Ireland Social Attitudes Survey showed that, 77 per cent of marriages in Northern Ireland are to partners of the same religion, compared with only 55 per cent in Britain. As in most other societies a person's religion in Northern Ireland is largely determined by the religion of their parents. Whilst in Britain, the membership of churches is ageing, this is not the case in Northern Ireland where the churchgoing population is actually getting younger. In a survey carried out in 1995 by the Northern Ireland Social Attitudes Survey, 90 per cent of Protestants opted to remain part of the UK, compared to just 24 per cent of Catholics, while 60 per cent of Catholics were in favour of the reunification of Ireland. On the question of constitutional identity in Northern Ireland, 76 per cent of Protestants consider themselves to be Unionists, while 54 per cent of Catholics consider themselves to be Nationalist. Arthur Bustard, age 35 from Ireland, religion CE, Farmer settled in Wolfe and Main Duck Islands, Frontenac County. Hamilton Bustard, age 38 from Ireland, religion CE, Farmer settled in Northumberland County. Charles Busturd, age 63 from Ireland, religion CE, Shoemaker settled in Simcoe County. Andrew Bustard, age 85 from Ireland, religion CE, settled in St. David’s Ward, Toronto. Izabella Bustard, age 26 from Ireland, religion WM, Irish servant, settled in St. David’s Ward, Toronto.