More than half of us believe spiritual forces have influence on earth, research reveals
New research from the think tank Theos, examining patterns of spiritual belief in Britain, shows that over three-quarters of all people believe that there are things we cannot explain through science or any other means – and more than half think spiritual forces have some influence on earth.
The research was commissioned by the independent production company, CTVC, to mark the launch today of its new regular podcast, Things Unseen, which aims to engage both people of faith and those who do not feel drawn to formal religion, but have some spiritual beliefs or interests.
The research showed that only 25% of the population think spiritual forces have no influence on earth. More than three in five (62%) of those who call themselves Christians think such spiritual forces can influence people’s thoughts or the human or natural world but, more surprisingly, more than a third (35%) of the non-religious also believe this.
The survey also revealed that a sixth, or 16%, of people said they or someone they knew had experienced a miracle, with younger respondents more likely to say this than older ones. Even 8% of the non-religious claimed that they, or someone they knew, had experienced a miracle.
The research, involving over 2,000 adults, confirmed that despite the decline of formalized religious belief and belonging, the British are far from having become a nation of atheists or materialists.
Belief in spiritual forces was shown to be found across all age ranges, concentrated, if anything, in the under-34 group – contradicting the idea that such beliefs are the preserve of the elderly. Spiritual beliefs are found across religious and non-religious groups, with a significant minority – and sometimes a majority – of the non-religious happy to sign up to such beliefs and opinions.
Things Unseen, the new regular podcast from CTVC, was conceived in response to earlier Theos research on the increasingly complex patterns of faith in post-religious Britain. It is produced by a team of ex-BBC religious programme makers and will be available from today on iTunes and its own website, www.thingsunseen.co.uk
The Bishop of Bradford, the Rt Revd Nick Baines, commented on this initiative: "We can respond to a changing religious landscape by being nostalgic or creative. This excellent initiative has chosen a creative approach to meeting people where they are (rather than where churches wished they were) and opening up universal themes of human experience and questions about it. I strongly endorse this approach."
NOTES:
1. CTVC is an independent production company making programmes for mainstream TV and radio, from the perspective of people of all faiths and none. Recent productions have included the award-winning David Suchet: In the Footsteps of St Paul for the BBC and Despatches: Let Our Dad Die for Channel 4.
2. Theos is a religion and society think tank which offers research and commentary on issues of religion, ethics and society. It was launched in November 2006. The full report can be downloaded as a free pdf here.
3. ComRes interviewed 2,036 adults from GB online between 4th and 5th September 2013. Data were weighted to be representative of all adults aged 18+ in GB. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Data tables can be found at www.comres.co.uk.
4. For more information on Things Unseen, please contact the series editor, Kristine Pommert, on kristine.pommert@ctvc.co.uk, mob. 0772 552 3122
5. More information on Theos and the research is available from nick.spencer@theosthinktank.co.uk
Theos
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E. press@theosthinktank.co.uk
T. 0207 828 7777
M. 07914 723 839 (out of hours)
Things Unseen
c/o CTVC
First floor, 9-10 Copper Row, Tower Bridge Piazza, London SE1 2LH
E. info@ctvc.co.uk
T. 0207 940 8480
