Perceptions of Jesus, Christians & Evangelism Research Findings - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Perceptions of Jesus, Christians & Evangelism Research Findings by Barna Group 18 September 2015 Perceptions of Jesus, Christians & Evangelism 1

Research Study Overview Answering the Big Questions  What do UK adults know and believe about Jesus Christ?  What do they really think of his followers? How often — if ever — do Christians talk about their faith in  Jesus?  And how do both Christians and non-Christians feel about those conversations? 18 September 2015 Perceptions of Jesus, Christians & Evangelism 2

Research Study Overview Data Collection Methodology  A bespoke online survey among a nationally representative sample of 3,014 UK adults, plus an over sampling of 1,621 UK practising Christians.  Including 2,545 English adults and 1,592 English practising Christians The data were collected between the 12 th and 29 th July 2015 by ComRes.   The national data were weighted to be representative of all UK adults aged 18+ by age, gender, region and socio-economic grade.  The sample error on the national data is plus or minus 1.8 percent points at the 95% confidence level.  The over sample data were weighted to be representative of all UK practising Christians by age, gender and denomination per the Church Census 2005.  The sample error on the over sample data is plus or minus 2.4 percent points at the 95% confidence level. 18 September 2015 Perceptions of Jesus, Christians & Evangelism 3

Research Study Overview Defining the UK Audience – Age Groups 21% 17% 17% 17% 14% 14% 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ 18 September 2015 Perceptions of Jesus, Christians & Evangelism 4

Research Study Overview Defining the UK Audience  Self-identified Christians say “Christian” best describes their religious faith (58%).  Non-Christians chose any response other than “Christian” to best describe their religious faith (42%). 58% 42% Christians non-Christians 18 September 2015 Perceptions of Jesus, Christians & Evangelism 5

Research Study Overview Defining the UK Audience  practising Christians identify as “Christian” but also report praying, reading the Bible and attending a church service at least monthly (10%). 48% Practising Christian is not specific to any denomination. 42% non-practising Christians 10% practising Christians Christians non-Christians 18 September 2015 Perceptions of Jesus, Christians & Evangelism 6

Research Study Overview Defining UK Practising Christians – Age Groups 28% 21% 17% 15% 12% 8% 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ 18 September 2015 Perceptions of Jesus, Christians & Evangelism 7

Research Study Overview Defining UK Practising Christians – Age Groups Total Population v. Practising Christians as a percent of the total population 21% 17% 17% 17% 14% 14% 3% 2% 2% 2% 2% 1% 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ *practising Christian per cents add to greater than 10% due to rounding. 18 September 2015 Perceptions of Jesus, Christians & Evangelism 8

Research Study Overview Defining the UK audience – The Nations 8% 5% 3% Scotland Wales Northern Ireland 18 September 2015 Perceptions of Jesus, Christians & Evangelism 9

Research Study Overview Defining UK Practising Christians – The Nations 6% 4% 2% Scotland Wales Northern Ireland 18 September 2015 Perceptions of Jesus, Christians & Evangelism 10

Research Study Overview Profile of UK Adults Religious Identity Level of Education UK Christian 58% all UK practising adults Christians Atheist 12 Secondary school, high school, Agnostic 9 50% 18% NVQ levels 1 to 3, etc. Muslim 3 University degree or equivalent professional 45 81 Hindu 2 qualification, NVQ level 4, etc. Jewish 1 Still in full-time education 3 1 Buddhist 1 Don’t know 1 1 Sikh * Prefer not to say 1 * Other 3 * Indicates less than one-half of one percent. None of the above 11 18 September 2015 Perceptions of Jesus, Christians & Evangelism 11

Research Study Overview Profile of UK Adults UK all UK practising adults Industry / Career Sector Christians Arts, entertainment, recreation 4% 5% UK all UK practising adults Information & communication 4 6 Christians Accommodation/food service 3 1 Retired/not employed 32% 19% Finance & insurance 3 2 Retail 8 3 Business admin & support 3 4 Education 7 21 Public admin & defence 3 4 Health 7 10 Agriculture, forestry, fishing 1 1 Professional, scientific & technical 5 7 Motor trades 1 * Production 5 2 Wholesale 1 1 Construction 5 3 Property 1 * Transport & storage (inc. post) 4 1 * Indicates less than one-half of one percent. 18 September 2015 Perceptions of Jesus, Christians & Evangelism 12

Six in 10 UK adults believe that Jesus was a real person. all UK adults 18-34 year olds 35+ years 61% Jesus was a real person who actually lived. 57% 63% 22% Jesus is a mythical or fictional character. 26% 20% 17% don't know 17% 17% More than two out of every five UK adults who are not practising Christians (43%) either do not believe Jesus was a real person who actually lived or they are unsure if he was real or not. 13 18 September 2015 Perceptions of Jesus, Christians & Evangelism

Six in 10 UK adults believe that Jesus was a real person. all UK adults white ethnic minority 61% Jesus was a real person who actually lived. 59% 79% 22% Jesus is a mythical or fictional character. 23% 10% 17% don't know 18% 12% 4 out of 5 Asian and Black UK adults believe Jesus was a real person. 14 18 September 2015 Perceptions of Jesus, Christians & Evangelism

Approximately 1 in 5 UK adults believe Jesus was God in human form who lived in the first century. all UK adults 18-34 year olds 35+ years 30% 29% 27% 24% 22% 20% 18% 17% 15% God in human form who lived A normal human being, A prophet or spiritual leader, among people in the 1st Century not God not God 15 18 September 2015 Perceptions of Jesus, Christians & Evangelism

A quarter of non-white adults and more than half UK black adults believe Jesus was God in human form who lived in the first century all UK adults white ethnic minority 43% 29% 28% 25% 22% 21% 17% 17% 14% God in human form who lived A normal human being, A prophet or spiritual leader, among people in the 1st Century not God not God Asian UK adults are more likely to say Jesus was just a spiritual leader or prophet (50%). Black UK adults are more likely to believe in Jesus’ divinity, God in human form (53%). 16 18 September 2015 Perceptions of Jesus, Christians & Evangelism

44%* of all UK adults believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  I believe the resurrection of Jesus from the dead happened word-for-word as described in the Bible 17% 17%  I believe in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, but the story in the Bible contains some content which should not be taken literally  I do not believe in the resurrection of Jesus 22% 26% from the dead  Not sure if the resurrection is true or not 4%  Believe Jesus is fictional 14%  Not sure if Jesus is real or fictional *Based on rounded per cents, 17.4% + 26.2% = 43.6% 18 September 2015 Perceptions of Jesus, Christians & Evangelism 17

The vast majority of black UK adults believe Jesus was a real person and that he was raised from the dead. % among Black UK adults  I believe the resurrection of Jesus from the dead happened word-for-word as described 12% in the Bible  I believe in the resurrection of Jesus from 6% the dead, but the story in the Bible contains 3% some content which should not be taken 6% literally 52%  I do not believe in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead  Not sure if the resurrection is true or not 22%  Believe Jesus is fictional  Not sure if Jesus is real or fictional 18 September 2015 Perceptions of Jesus, Christians & Evangelism 18

Words that come to mind among all UK adults when Jesus Christ is mentioned. Love Bible Christmas Religion Church Cross Holy Christian God Faith Christianity Peace Lord Saviour Son Of God 18 September 2015 Perceptions of Jesus, Christians & Evangelism 19

Among non-Christian UK adults, words that come to mind when Jesus Christ is mentioned. Bible Church Peace Holy Christian Faith Lord Love Christianity Cross God Religion Saviour Christmas Son Of God 18 September 2015 Perceptions of Jesus, Christians & Evangelism 20

Words chosen by UK adults to describe Jesus Practising Non-Practising All UK adults 18-34 year olds Christians Christian Spiritual, 49% Spiritual, 41% Loving, 93% Loving, 59% Loving, 48% Loving, 41% Wise, 88% Spiritual, 58% Peaceful, 47% Leader, 40% Inspirational, 88% Peaceful, 55% * respondents could choose multiple options. 21 18 September 2015 Perceptions of Jesus, Christians & Evangelism

Non- Christians’ Perceptions of Christians 18 September 2015 Perceptions of Jesus, Christians & Evangelism 22

Most UK non-Christians say they know a Christian. Relationship with Christian % among non-Christians who know a Christian don't know do not 7% family know a 35% Christian 26% friend 38% acquaintance 15% workmate 7% know a neighbour 4% Christian 67% church leader 1% 18 September 2015 Perceptions of Jesus, Christians & Evangelism 23