Teenagers Low on Faith - British Library Poll

A MORI poll commissioned by the British Library has shown that a worrying 43 per cent of teenagers say they have no religion or faith.

The poll found that non-belief was widespread among teenagers, although trends varied across age groups.

Out of those in their 20s, just 20 per cent answered that they had no faith.

The poll revealed a direct correlation between age and levels of faith, with an increase in age corresponding to an increase in the number professing faith. In the 65 and above age category, just 8 per cent responded that they had no religion or faith.

The poll revealed that 21 per cent of all those polled across all age categories said they had no religion or faith.

A British Library spokesperson responded to the results, saying: "Does this mean people tend to find faith or become more religious as they get older - or, alternatively, does it mean that the younger generation are increasingly less likely to follow a religion or have any belief?"

Of all those polled, Christianity was the most followed religion, with 64 per cent of people saying they follow Jesus Christ. Islam, although the second-most followed, only claimed 4 per cent of respondents.

However, in comparison, Muslims were much more likely to be active in their faith. A massive 92 per cent of Muslims said that they tried to practice their religion either "a great deal" or "a fair amount" in their day-to-day lives, in comparison to only 46 per cent of Christians who responded in the same way.

In addition, 95 per cent of Muslims said that their religion was "relevant to their life", where as just 54 per cent of Christians thought so.

Interestingly, of those who said they had no faith or religion, 32 per cent said they used to be Christian, and 58 per cent said they had never followed any religion.

The Ipsos MORI poll results were compiled from a sample of 2,030 adults between 10 and 16 August 2007.