RELIGION & ITS ALTERNATIVES

TWO-THIRDS OF BRITS NOT RELIGIOUS, 82% BELIEVE RELIGION CAUSES TENSIONS

GUARDIAN, UK - More people in Britain think religion causes harm than
believe it does good, according to a Guardian - ICM poll. It shows that
an overwhelming majority see religion as a cause of division and tension
- greatly outnumbering the smaller majority who also believe that it can
be a force for good.

The poll also reveals that non-believers outnumber believers in Britain
by almost two to one. It paints a picture of a skeptical nation with
massive doubts about the effect religion has on society: 82% of those
questioned say they see religion as a cause of division and tension
between people. Only 16% disagree. The findings are at odds with
attempts by some religious leaders to define the country as one made up
of many faith communities.

Most people have no personal faith, the poll shows, with only 33% of
those questioned describing themselves as "a religious person". A clear
majority, 63%, say that they are not religious - including more than
half of those who describe themselves as Christian.

Older people and women are the most likely to believe in a god, with 37%
of women saying they are religious, compared with 29% of men. . .

Well-off people are more likely to plan to visit a church at Christmas:
64% of those in the highest economic categories expect to attend,
compared with 43% of those in the bottom group.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/frontpage/story/0,,1978046,00.html

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