Analysis of Ipsos MORI polls (released 24/11/06) on the level of humanist convictions amongst the British public and on how many of the British public believe religious groups and leaders are paid too much attention by Government.
Full analysis of the responses is available here (pdf)
Click here for commentary on the polls from BHA staff and Vice Presidents.
Those who choose only Humanist statements � �humanists� by this survey�s definition - are more prevalent among:
- younger and middle-aged people (aged 15-54) (41%) compared to those aged 55 and over (26%)
- those in social classes ABC1 (43%) compared to those in C2DE (28%)
- those with children in their household (43%) compared to those without (33%)
- those that live in the South (41%) compared to those that live in the Midlands (30%), with those in the North in between (37%)
- those working full- or part-time (42%) compared to those not working (29%)
- those who read �broadsheets� (51%) compared to those that read tabloids (33%)
- those with qualifications of GCSE equivalent and above (42%) compared to those with no formal qualifications (20%).
The questions and answers in the poll were as follows:
Respondents were asked: �If you had to choose just one of the statements which one best matches your view?� (The * indicates the humanist option in each case: respondents were not shown the *)
Scientific and other evidence provides the best way to understand the universe.* (62%)
Religious beliefs are needed for a complete understanding of the universe. (22%)
Neither of these (10%)
Don�t know (6%)
Human nature by itself gives us an understanding of what is right and wrong* (62%)
People need religious teachings in order to understand what is right and wrong (27%)
Neither of these (7%)
Don�t know (4%)
What is right and wrong depends on the effects on people and the consequences for society and the world* (65%)
What is right and wrong is basically just a matter of personal preference (15%)
What is right and wrong is unchanging and should never be challenged (13%)
None of these (2%)
Don�t know (5%)
Respondents were asked: �People often comment on the level of attention the Government pays to certain groups in society. Which, if any, of the following groups of people do you think the Government pays too much attention to?� and presented with a list of seven possibilities from which they could select up to three responses. Responses were:
%
Leaders of other countries 44
Religious groups and leaders 42
Newspaper headlines 35
Big Business 34
The Royal Family 20
Trade Unions 17
Ordinary people 3
Respondents were asked: �If you had to choose just one of the statements which one best matches your view?�
This life is the only life we have and death is the end of our personal existence (41%)
When we die we go on and still exist in another way (45%)
Neither of these (5%)
Don�t know (8%)
TECHNICAL NOTE ON DATA COLLECTION
Ipsos MORI interviewed a nationally-representative sample of 975 respondents aged 15+ across Great Britain. Interviews were conducted face-to-face, in respondents� homes, between 26 and 30 October 2006. 175 sampling points were covered. Results are weighted to the national GB 15+ population profile.
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