Divine Inspiration Is Our Speciality!

Friday 14 January 2000

Richard Branson is considered more inspirational than the Pope according to a survey * conducted by MORI on behalf of the BBC's Heaven and Earth Show, and 1 in 3 believe that they're going to heaven, but hardly anyone believes that they're going to hell.

These are amongst the findings of the survey commissioned by BBC ONE's Heaven and Earth Show for their 100th episode on Sunday January 14 2001, 10 am.

Over the past two years the Heaven and Earth Show has more than doubled its audience with its mix of topical discussion, celebrity interviews, and exploration of all types of belief. The Heaven and Earth Show marks its 100th episode by casting a critical eye over the nation's beliefs, inspirations and worries.

The survey also reveals that 20% of Britain prays everyday, although most believe that newspapers have the most positive influence in Britain today - compared to the Bible or the Koran.

Who do people find inspirational?

• When asked to name 2 or 3 people they find inspirational today, two thirds (65%) named Nelson Mandela. The second most inspirational figure was considered to be Richard Branson, cited by 51%.
• Margaret Thatcher (28%) is considered more inspirational than the Pope (20%).
• Prime Minister Tony Blair fares less well than former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher with 14% stating he is inspirational compared with 28% saying Margaret Thatcher.
• Pop star Britney Spears was named by 6%.

The influence of publications

• Almost half (46%) the population believe that the Bible has had the most positive influence and three in ten people (29%) think this of the Highway Code.
• Newspapers are top of the poll with 67%.
• Hello magazine (8%) was rated similarly with the Koran (9%) in its positive influence.

What do people worry about most?

• The three things that people worry about most are family (54%), health (49%) and the environment (38%). These are closely followed by world hunger (30%) and war (29%). Only after these concerns came money (25%).
• Sex (5%) and the meaning of life (10%) are claimed to be the things least worried about.

Right and wrong

• Only one in five (22%) people state that religion has been important in teaching them about right and wrong.
• Although newspapers are considered to have the most positive influence on life in Britain today (67%), fewer than one in ten people (6%) say newspapers are important in teaching them about right and wrong.
• 80% of people surveyed cited parents as being most influential in teaching them about right and wrong.
• 53% said they made up their own minds from personal experience - whilst 43% cited school as the source of their morality.

Life after death - heaven or hell?

• One in five people (21%) say they worry about whether they will go to heaven or to hell.
• More than a third of those questioned (35%) believe they will go to heaven.
• Only 1% of the population believe they are heading to hell.

Praying

• A fifth of people (20%) say they pray almost everyday. Three in ten (31%) say they never pray and 17% say they only ever pray in a crisis.

* Technical details: The survey, by MORI, asked questions of a nationally representative sample of 999 adults aged 15+ across Great Britain. Telephone interviews were carried out between 15-17 December. Data have been weighted to reflect the national population profile.

Topline Results

• Results are based on 999 interviews conducted by telephone with a representative sample of British adults, aged 15+
• Interviews were conducted between 15-17 December 2000
• Data have been weighted to match the known population profile
• An asterisk (*) denotes a finding of less than 0.5% but greater than zero
• Where figures do not add up to 100% this is due to multiple coding and computer rounding
• Results are based on all respondents unless otherwise stated

Q1 From the list I am going to read out, please tell me which two or three things you worry about most?

Q2 From the list of items I read out, please tell me which two or three, if any, have been most important in teaching you about right and wrong?

Q3 I am now going to read out a list of names. From the list, please can you tell me, which, if any of these people you find inspirational?

Q4 I am going to read out a list of publications. Please tell me which two or three do you think have had the most positive influence on life in Britain today?

Q5 Some people are enthusiastic about going to a place of worship, such as a church, to attend religious services regularly and some people are not. How much money, if any, would it take to persuade you to attend a place of worship, such as a church, once a week for a year?

Q6 Have you ever worried about whether you are going to Heaven or Hell after death?

Q7 Thinking about when you die, do you think you will go to Heaven, Hell, somewhere else, or do you not believe in life after death?

Q8 What is your religion, if any? (IF CHRISTIAN ASK) What denomination are you?

Q9 On average, how often, if at all, would you say you pray these days?