At a time when the Anglican Church is vociferously demanding an expansion of faith based schools in the UK a demand premised mainly on the alleged superior nature of religious moral teachings the following may be of interest.
According to the findings of a recent survey carried out by Christian Research involving nearly 2,000 clerics of the Church of England, 33 per cent admitted doubt or disbelief in the physical resurrection of Jesus, and only 50 per cent were convinced of the truth of the virgin birth. The survey also found that only 50 per cent believed that faith in Jesus was the only route to salvation, and 25 per cent said they didn't believe in the Trinity.
While it has long been known that numerous clerics are dubious about the historic creeds of the Church, the survey is the first to disclose how widespread is the scepticism.
This revelation may give us the opportunity to witness that much-vaunted religious morality in action. We may see these "agnostic clerics" publicly acknowledge their daily acts of hypocrisy, ie by resigning from the Church. But don't hold your breath!
Larry Wright
Kent Road
Swindon
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