Have we overestimated the hostility towards faith in our nation and underestimated the Bible as a tool for mission? We went to 20,000 people to find out what they thought about Christianity, the Bible and faith. Now you can explore the findings of this landmark survey and better understand your local community.
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Meet the personas
Find out what people in England and Wales really think about faith and the Bible.
Young adults: faith, the Bible and the search for meaning
Bible Society's research for Lumino threw up some fascinating findings about differing attitudes to the Bible among different age groups.
Is science compatible with religion? A lot of people don't think so
Asked about whether 'science and religion are fundamentally in opposition with each other', 40 per cent said they were.
More than half of adults in England and Wales have a religious faith
But only just. Asked, ‘If you have one, which of the following best describes your religion or faith?’ 49.45 per cent said they had no religion.
If you have one, which of the following best describes your religion or faith? Please choose one
If the Bible were a person, what would it think?
Participants were asked to imagine the Bible as a person and to decide whether it would be for or against difference causes – or if it would just be silent.
Most people think the Church's main role should be serving the poor
Asked to pick three options from a list of what the Church should be doing in Britain today, more than half – 54 per cent chose 'Serving the poor and those on the edges of society'.
More people don't believe in God than do believe
Asked about their belief in 'a God/gods or some higher power', 38 per cent said there definitely or probably was a God, while 49 per cent said there definitely or probably was not.
Which of the following best describes your belief? Please choose one
A quarter of adults in England and Wales want to know more about the Bible
Asked, '‘To what extent would you be interested or not in discovering more about the Bible?’ a total of 23 per cent of adults in England and Wales selected 'fairly interested' or 'very interested'.
To what extent would you be interested or not in discovering more about the Bible?
Most Christians in England and Wales are Anglican or Catholic
Asked about which denomination they identify with, more than half of Christians – 56 per cent – said they were Church of England or Church in Wales. Just under a fifth – 17 per cent – said they were Catholic.
Christian denomination
From our research, we’ve been able to map the spiritual ground in England and Wales based on eight distinct spiritual types or personas. We’ve badged them on the basis of their attitude to the Bible, ranging from ‘Bible Loving’ at one end to ‘Bible Dismissive’ at the other – with a complex range of attitudes in between. We’ll let them introduce themselves...
Bible Infrequent
'I want to make it a bigger part of my life, but I'm not sure how to make sense of it.'
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Bible Uncertain
'I can see it might have potential, but I'm not sure it has much to say to me.'
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Bible Nostalgic
'I like the idea that it's still there, but can it be made relevant to the next generation?'
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Bible Cultural
'It's like Nelson's Column – part of our history, but it doesn't affect my life.'
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Bible Indifferent
'I just don't care about it. I can't see why it's worth my time or energy.'
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Bible Dismissive
'I'm not going to base my life on ancient myths and legends. The Bible has no kind of authority for me.'
Learn moreHear from Bible communicators and mission practitioners about how to communicate with each of the personas.
After the Storm – Exiles on Mission
As society emerges from lockdown, how does the Bible help the Church understand its role in recovery? Paul Williams, author of Exiles on Mission, develops a biblical framework for re-imagining mission in the new landscape we are now entering.
What if I didn't have to fear death?
Bible Society has created three short films for you to share with spiritually open, non-churchgoing people this Easter. This film focuses on God living for us.
Is coronavirus the end of the world?
Bible Society has created three short films for you to share with spiritually open, non-churchgoing people this Easter. This film focuses on God resting with us.
Where is God in our pain?
Bible Society has created three short films for you to share with spiritually open, non-churchgoing people this Easter. This film focuses on God suffering with us.
Case study: using the Bible with Bible Uncertain people
The Bible is full of great stories and profound wisdom, and Christians who fall into the 'Bible Loving' persona don't need convincing of that.
Case study: using the Bible with Bible Nostalgic people
The key question Bible communicators face is, how can I interpret the Bible's text in a way that really connects with the people I'm speaking to?
2020 will see a major Bible Society initiative – and we'd love you to be part of it.
We've created an incredible 360º film telling the Bible story from Genesis to Revelation. Home360 is a creative interpretation of the Bible aimed at connecting with people outside the church walls. It'll be shown in special viewing domes at festivals and in major towns and cities across the UK – and it'll also be available via Virtual Reality goggles for those who can't get to one of the dome locations.