Public Perception

In summer 2021, Culham St Gabriel’s Trust commissioned research through Savanta to understand more about public perception of an education in religion and worldviews.

Nearly two thirds (64%) of the UK adult population think that an education in religion and worldviews (or RE) is an important part of the school curriculum today, new research has revealed, with a further 65% agreeing that the subject has an impact on people’s ability to understand each other in wider society.

The research, conducted among 2,000 adults and commissioned by Culham St Gabriel’s Trust, also found that 71% of UK adults agree that the subject should reflect the diversity of backgrounds and beliefs in the UK today.

Seven out of ten people surveyed also agreed that RE’s role is to provide pupils with the opportunity to learn more about other people, beliefs, worldviews and cultures (73%), to foster the mutual understanding of different beliefs among young people (71%), and encourage them to openly discuss their beliefs with others (69%).

A further two thirds agreed that the subject’s role is to help young people critically evaluate their own beliefs (65%) as well as the beliefs of others (65%).

The key findings of the research include:

• Around two-thirds of UK adults say it’s important to understand the beliefs of others in at least 4 contexts:
  • In everyday life (69%)
  • In relationships with friends and family (65%)
  • In school (65%)
  • In local communities (64%)
  • In the workplace (61%)
• Two-thirds (64%) of UK adults think that an understanding of their own beliefs is important to them, while over half (57%) agree that this understanding has a positive impact on their wellbeing
• Nearly two-thirds (64%) of the UK adult population think that it is important that RE is part of the school curriculum today
• Two-thirds (65%) of respondents agree that RE has an impact on people’s ability to understand each other in wider society
• 71% stated that RE should reflect the diversity of backgrounds and beliefs in the UK today
• On the subject of religious education, respondents agreed that its role is:
  • To help young people gain a better understanding of their own beliefs (69%)
  • To foster the mutual understanding of different beliefs among young people (71%)
  • To provide young people with the opportunity to learn more about other people, beliefs, worldviews, and cultures (73%)
  • To encourage young people to openly discuss their beliefs with others (69%)
  • To help young people critically evaluate their own beliefs (65%)
  • To help young people critically evaluate the beliefs of others (65%)

For more information about the survey please email ceo@cstg.org.uk