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In a world that may seem increasingly secular to many of us, it is easy to forget that religious belief is a central part of life for hundreds of millions of people.
An Ipsos survey conducted between 6th and 21st April 2011 in 24 countries around the world via the Ipsos Online Panel showed that 69 per cent say they have a religion — and of these, 40 per cent say it is very important to them.
In the latest edition of Ipsos Mori’s research journal, Understanding Society, Tony Blair talks about the central and growing importance of religion to global society.
“This survey shows how much religion matters and that no analysis of the contemporary world, political or social, is complete without understanding the relationship between faith and globalisation,” he said.
“The evidence is that, though people fear the prospect of religious strife, even here in Britain, there is much to encourage the view that people can learn to respect those of another faith and live with them peacefully. Inter-faith dialogue and action today is not just an interesting but peripheral minor subject, it is the essence, central to creating greater social cohesion and harmony.”
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