Survey finds most Brits don't believe in nativity story
by Ethan Cole, Christian Post
Posted: Tuesday, December 23, 2008, 7:05 (GMT)
The majority of Britons do not believe in the historical truth of the nativity story about the birth of Jesus, a new survey has found.
Seventy percent of Britons are skeptical about the birth of Jesus in a manger and his virgin mother, according to a poll of 1,000 people by the British Marketing Research Bureau for St Helen’s Church in Bishopsgate, London.
The number is even higher among 16 to 24-years-old, where 78 per cent said they were not convinced the story is true.
A quarter of those questioned who described themselves as Christian admitted they did not completely believe in all the Bible’s teachings on Jesus.
The Rev Charlie Skrine, curate of St. Helen’s Church, said the survey shows that “most of the UK believes that the accounts of Jesus’ birth aren’t good history,” according to The Telegraph.
He added, “Combined with a general lack of understanding about the real meaning of Christmas, this leaves people without the hope that Jesus offers.”
The latest survey contradicts the findings of the latest poll by faith-based think tank Theos, which found that one in three people in Britain believe in the virgin birth.
A New Testament scholar at Cambridge University, Simon Gathercole, pointed out that the stories about the start of Christianity are rooted in real history.
“Jesus was born while Augustus was emperor of Rome just before Herod died,” Gathercole said. “We’re talking about events that are anchored in real history not in ancient Greek myths.”
A UN report published earlier in the year found that two-thirds of the British people admitted to having no religious adherence. And among those who are religious, a growing number are Muslims.
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Added: Tuesday, December 30, 2008, 0:49 (GMT)
Gabriel told Zecharias in June about the birth of John the Baptist; 9 months later on Passover, he was born. 6 months after John, Jesus was born on Feast of Tabernacles. The year had to have been before Herod the Great (an Edomite) died in the spring of 4 BC, so the true date from simply reading the Word of God is 15 Tishri (Oct) 6 BC. The tree and lights are "Grove" rituals for the god of Hanukkah.
Howard, Salt Lake City USA
Added: Tuesday, December 23, 2008, 19:59 (GMT)
I was brought up a Catholic a great many years ago. Nowadays I find it extremely difficult to believe all the story about Jesus. I think a man, probably called Jesus, existed but the facts of his life were adjusted and added to and subsequently taught to us as proven facts in every detail including the very suspect notion that his mother was a virgin.
Connie Treacy, Valencia Spain
Added: Tuesday, December 23, 2008, 16:44 (GMT)
Surely this is nonsense. One thousand people interviewed do not represent the entire population of 65 million. This wouldn't be accepted in a scientific survey, so why in a religious survey? The result of a survey like this is designed to get the required result. It's a sham.
Richard, United Kingdom
Added: Tuesday, December 23, 2008, 16:06 (GMT)
THIS IS WHY BRITON HAS FALLEN. THE TIME HAS FINALLY COME:
AN EXCERPT FROM FRIEDERICH NIETZSCHE'S PARABLE "THE MADMAN":
Here the madman fell silent and looked again at his listeners; and they, too, were silent and stared at him in astonishment. At last he threw his lantern on the ground, and it broke into pieces and went out. "I have come too early," he said. "MY TIME IS NOT YET COME. THIS TREMENDOUS EVENT IS STILL ON IT'S WAY, STILL WANDERING; IT HAS NOT YET REACHED THE EARS OF MEN. Lightning and thunder require TIME; the light of the stars requires TIME; deeds, though done, still require TIME TO BE SEEN AND HEARD. This deed is still more distant from them than most distant stars -- and yet they have done it themselves.
It has been related further that on the same day the madman forced his way into diverse churches and there struck up his requiem aeternam deo. Led out and quieted each time, he is said to have replied: "What after all are these churches now if they are not the tombs and sepulchers of a dead God?" God is dead. we have killed him. (EMPHASIS MINE)
NIETZSCHE was right. It took time for the godless ideas he purported to come to pass. Now those days are upon us. Within 20 years, if America doesn't see a revival that shakes the entire nation, it will meet the same fate as Europe.
tpique1, USA
