Are Britons Turning Into Atheists?

The Mirror: Only 44% Now Believe In God

People who believe God exists are now a minority in Britain, a survey claimed yesterday.

According to a poll by YouGov, just 44 per cent believe in God compared to 77 per cent in 1968.

A majority - 81 per cent - also believe the country is becoming more secular, with fewer people going to places of worship.

But among this percentage, 68 per cent of believers and 14 per cent of non-believers, regretted that society was becoming less religious.

Only a third of the 1,981 people who took part in the online survey believe in heaven and even fewer believe in the devil. Just a quarter think hell exists. Fewer than half, 43 per cent, believed their souls would outlast their bodily life.

Young people especially are significantly less religious than older generations, with more than a third saying they were agnostics or atheists.

Among middle-aged people and the elderly, the figure is far smaller, according to YouGov.

The Telegraph has the full poll results here

Comments

[josh baker]

I cant speak for Brits, but here in the states the "Bible belt" holds true to form.The Bible belt sticks it in the eye of the whole rest of the planet and puts the Bush back in office.
The bible belt runs through the southeastern region of the united states, this region also has the lowest ratings for public schools.The argument here in the states is "Does public education effectively kill religion, or does it brainwash the youth into the agnostic/ athiest view?" Could the same hold true in the UK?

[DAVE]

It is about time people chose fact over fiction. science = fact, religion = fiction, as there is no proof and its written. besides the christian bible was mostly written 500 years after jesus died. Most educated inteligent people denounce religion.

[Dusan Ronsevich]

Wait and see...!
The punishment will be!
The more you ignore Him the more He turns his head away!
Those who forget will be forgoten!
In the Judgment Day.
They will dissapear or burn. Choose the better!
You think you can do anything? You think you can bomb people and pay no price for that? You think you can take the wealth of people, exploit them, take everything for you, never think of anybody else. In my country which you have bombed, people make 200 euros on average monthly (those who are employed). You have spent 60 bilion euros just for Christmas presents. Don't have any second thoughts- God knows your hearts, God knows how little is there in your hearts left.
Repent, repent, if you want to save yourselves, cause judgement day is close enough. And yes - give some money to the poor, you will feel better. I believe there is still hope for you, I want it to happen - I would be very happy if you sudenly become aware of God's presence and start work for saving your souls. It will be very hard work! Look at the tsunami facts- doesn't it remind you of the signs which would be posted to us as the time approaches to the finish line?
Repent Britons, repent, God has given you much, but for that He expects most of you. And what you give back? Nothing but selfishness. Maybe you lough at these words, but you better start worry!

[Steef]

Dear Dave

You said - science = fact, religion = fiction...

So science has disproved the existence of God has it? I don't think so. Science = theory paraded as fact, religion = man's futile attempt to reach God, Jesus = God's successful attempt to reach man. Most intelligent people know these things.

May God bless you.