Survey Reveals Youth Hungry to Hear About Religion

A new survey has revealed that people aged between 18 and 24 are more open to taking part in faith-based dialogue than any other age group.

The survey conducted by London-based Premier Radio found that Christians came out at the top of the poll, with 74 per cent of 18-24 year olds willing to listen to Christians talk about their own faith.

Results also revealed 63 per cent of young adults were willing to listen to Jews and despite recent political unrest, 62 per cent were willing to listen to Muslims talk about their religion. Hindus also registered positively in the poll, at 61 per cent.

In addition, 71 per cent of young adults were willing to listen to agnostics, only 56 per cent were willing to listen to atheists, the lowest rating in the survey alongside Buddhists.

Peter Kerridge, Chief Executive of Premier, believes the lack of young adults interested in discussing atheism can been attributed to a change in cultural awareness and acceptance of major religions in the media.

"From footballers to reality TV contestants, people are talking openly and positively about their faith in the media," Kerridge commented. "The result of this includes young adults being more open to explore their own faith as well as being willing to share new found beliefs with others."

Kerridge, himself a Baptist minister, credited the interest of young adults in Christianity to steadily growing home mission projects across the church: "We have seen that spirituality and faith still play an important part in British culture.

"Within the Christian community, you need only to look at initiatives like the Alpha Course and Soul Survivor to know that young adults are reaching out and finding resources and support in the church."