National survey highlights how Welsh still honour the Bible and fear hell-fire and brimstone
11 April 2006
A major survey carried out for Easter highlights the fact that despite a well documented decline in chapel-going, Wales is still the most God-fearing region in the UK. The poll, commissioned by the Evangelical Alliance and Premier Christian Radio, found that the Welsh ahead of all other Britons would take the Bible as a reliable guide to how they ought to live and consider it a good thing for children to be brought up with Christian values. The Welsh were also more likely to believe in an afterlife, heaven, and hell.
The survey also found that Christians in Wales, which witnessed Britain’s last major religious revival, are the most dedicated in the UK. Of the specifically Welsh Christians surveyed 29% read the Bible at least once a week, 33% attended a church service weekly and 29% prayed daily.
Scotland came second with 20% of Scottish Christians attending a church service each week, 19% reading the Bible on a weekly basis and 24% praying daily. Elfed Godding, General Secretary of Evangelical Alliance Wales, said, “These findings are encouraging and confirm our observation that there is an increasing liveliness and depth of spirituality in our nation. One example of this was last November’s gathering of over 200 Evangelical leaders in Newtown to discuss a new Church planting strategy for Wales.”
The independent survey was carried out by CommunicateResearch. It polled 2000 members of the general public and asked them a range of questions around the existence of God and the relevance of Christianity in both their lives and the lives of the communities in which they live.
Peter Kerridge, Chief Executive of Premier Radio said, “Wales has so often been an inspiration to the UK Church. It is great to have evidence that the flame of faith still burns strong there.”
The survey also showed that three in every four of those polled in the UK turn to God when making an important decision. Good news for the Prime Minister, who was criticised for admitting that he prayed before sending British troops to Iraq.
Media Contact:
Elfed Godding / Liz Hogarth Evangelical Alliance 029 2022 9822 / 020 7207 2115 e.godding@eauk.org / l.hogarth@eauk.org
Notes to editors: The Evangelical Alliance UK, formed in 1846, is an umbrella group representing over one million evangelical Christians in the UK and is made up of member churches, organisations and individuals. As part of a movement ‘uniting to change society’, the Alliance promotes unity and truth, acts as an evangelical voice to the state, society and the wider Church, and provides resources to help members and other evangelicals live out their faith in their communities.
CommunicateResearch surveyed 2077 GB adults online between 20 and 23 January 2006. Data were weighted to be demographically representative of the GB population. CommunicateResearch is a member of the British Polling Council (www.britishpollingcouncil.org) and abides by its rules.
Evangelical Alliance Wales was started in 1990 and is a part of the Evangelical Alliance UK and the World Evangelical Alliance, both established in 1846 – the latter of which today has a global membership of 380 million. Evangelical Alliance Wales represents Christians and churches from within over 20 denominations in Wales to the government and media. The Evangelical Alliance Wales has a Media Voice Team that can be contacted via e.godding@eauk.org
Premier Christian Radio broadcasts 24 hours a day available on three MW frequencies (1305, 1332, 1413 AM) in the capital, the station is also available nationally on Freeview (channel 96) Sky digital and NTL, and worldwide via its website www.premier.org.uk . Contact Grace Benson on 0207 316 1462.
