Richard Branson more popular role model than Jesus

A new poll from Opinium Research has named Richard Branson as a more popular role model for children than Jesus. Although Branson also beat the likes of Nelson Mandela, Winston Churchill and Martin Luther King, survey respondents considered family members to be the most ideal role model for children.

Round-up: faith in print and statistics

Following on from Zoe Williams' positive Guardian piece on the church and the environment, I discover that The New Statesman has published a special God Issue. The articles includesAndrew Marr on "the roots of Britain's deep-seated distrust of fanaticism". Browsing online I discovered that the NS includes The Faith Column - a a weekly feature in which a different believer gives the inside track on their religion or philosophy.

I can remember a time when The New Statesman and The Guardian would have been unlikely to include such coverage. I wonder if this is a result of the New Labour effect - even if the previous PM didn't "do God" while in office.

Meanwhile the C of E publishes the latest figures on changing trends in church-going. There is a one per cent fall in overall attendance, but "a positive spirit of growth developing around the Church with more than half the dioceses seeing aspects of church attendance increasing". The figures also show that attendance at church services outside Sundays continues to add a significant number to local congregations.

That hairshirt! I must have it

Libby Purves in The Times suggests that the Love Life Live Lent campaign, in "trying to play down the austerity and associate the 40 days of wilderness with upbeat acts of kindness and wacky new Facebook applications", may actually be "missing the Zeitgeist".

In a the context of a discussion on economic woes, she suggests that "after the spending boom we need the calming influence of Lent to see some sense" and that "the architects of the liturgical year got it right: after Christmas comes Lent with fasting and repentance". Its a thought-provoking piece - do read it.

Sermon for a carbon fast

Zoe Williams in today's Guardian, gives a "sermon for a carbon fast" suggesting that "the church should keep up its climate preaching. It is taken more seriously than politicians or media".

She writes that "the Church of England is ringing the changes this year, preaching a carbon fast instead of a chocolate one". While noting that the word 'carbon' affixed to almost anything makes it sound faddish, such a proposal is fairly modest and builds on the "history, tradition, ideology, sincerity and authenticity" of the church which has "a message of self-denial going back to the dawn of time. It has an awful lot to play with when it seeks to influence our behaviour in terms of carbon use. It has been into small economies since before the environment even existed".

She concludes by saying that "even we faithless can see how copper-bottomed this is, and it makes it very easy to take" and the status of the church "as environmental pioneer is really worth playing up".

God rest you merry atheist

I was intrigued to read that Richard Dawkins enjoys singing Christmas carols as, despite his strong anti-faith polemic, he has described himself as a "cultural Christian" in a recent BBC interview. Yet the words of many carols are soaked in the gospel, so perhaps one year he may come to find his view that science has all the answers is transcended by a greater Truth as he sings:

Hail the heav’nly Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Ris’n with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die.
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth

Guardian praises TFTD

You probably gather that I tend to listen to Thought for the Day most days, although I'm aware that opinions vary. However, I was intrigued to read a Guardian editorial today in their "In praise of...."series on TFTD. While still calling for the inclusion of "non-religious contributors", the leader says:

"while the slot may be one of Radio 4's Marmite offerings (provoking either love or hatred), the evidence shows the audience appreciates it"