UK, faith, etc.

FAITH IN GOD DECLINING FASTER IN THE UK THAN CHURCH ATTENDANCE

LONDON, UK (ANS) -- Contrary to popular opinion, the belief in God in the United Kingdom is declining even faster than attendance in church, a new study claims.

The research was carried out by the University of Manchester, who also found that between 1991 and 1999 actual belief in God has decreased even more than affiliation to a particular religion and attendance in services.

The story continued by saying, "The number affiliated to a particular religion fell 2.9 per cent to 59.1 per cent, while attendance fell 3.5 per cent to 16.8 per cent. Belief in God dropped a considerable 5.3 per cent to 32.5 per cent overall.

"The study also showed that the religious behavior of parents has a highly significant impact on children. The academics found that institutional religion has a "half-life" of one generation - meaning that two religious parents have a 50-50 chance of passing on their beliefs.

Dr David Voas, who led the research team, predicted that although religion in Britain would not die out completely, it would reach "fairly low levels" before very long.

The Christian Today website can be found at www.christiantoday.com

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By Dan Wooding, August 17, 2005   
ASSIST News Service (ANS)
www.assistnews.net