Survey: Most British Evangelicals Say Jesus Is the Only Way to God

By Karen Peake, Christian Today Reporter Friday, January 14, 2011

The U.K.-based Evangelical Alliance and Christian Research surveyed 17,000 British evangelicals on a range of issues, from their beliefs concerning miracles and the Bible, to their stance on abortion and homosexuality.

The report is entitled "21st Century Evangelicals" and is designed to provide a comprehensive picture of evangelicals in the United Kingdom. Results are based on questionnaires completed by evangelicals at Christian festivals throughout 2010.

There was clear consensus on the uniqueness of Christ, with 91 percent of evangelicals strongly agreeing that Jesus is the only way to God.

Evangelicals in the U.K. also proved to be devoted believers, with 96 percent attending a church service at least once a week and praying at least a few times a week. Eighty-eight percent strongly agreed that faith was the most important thing in their life, while 83 percent strongly agreed that faith was an important factor in decision making.

A majority (83 percent) of those surveyed also believe that the miraculous gifts of the Spirit did not come to an end in the first century.

Ninety-four percent of evangelicals agreed that Christians have a duty to care for the environment and 81 percent said they did some kind of voluntary work at least once a month.

On other issues, opinions were more divergent. While evangelicals generally agreed that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, only 54 percent said they believe the Bible, in its original manuscript, to be without error.

On evolution, six out of 10 evangelicals believe evolution and Christianity are compatible while 18 percent agreed strongly that you cannot believe in both.

Regarding abortion, the differences were also considerable, with 20 percent strongly agreeing that abortion can never be justified and nearly as many strongly disagreeing with the statement (17 percent).

Less than half of evangelicals strongly agreed that assisted suicide is always wrong (42 percent), while 24 percent said they were uncertain about what to believe on this issue.

Evangelicals were even more uncertain when it came to hell, with 31 percent saying they were unsure what to believe, although half either strongly agreed or agreed that it was a place where the condemned would suffer eternal conscious pain.

The findings also revealed a range of opinions in relation to homosexuality. A majority of survey respondents did not agree that having homosexual feelings was wrong (55 percent) but a majority said homosexual actions are always wrong (73 percent).

In other findings, four out of 10 strongly agreed that 10 percent of a Christian's income should be given to the church they attend and six out of 10 evangelicals said they talk to a non-Christian about their faith at least once a month.

Steve Clifford, General Director for the Alliance, said: "This research helps us speak with greater confidence about our evangelical community, the things that are important to us and the significant contribution that we are making to the community around us.

"By presenting an accurate picture of evangelicals today, we can be much better equipped to make effective plans for tomorrow."