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Wednesday, April 15, 1998 Published at 08:58 GMT 09:58 UK



Talking Point

Has religion lost its meaning?

Ghosties, ghouls and things that go bump in the night - all are more believable than God, according to a recent UK poll.

Of those questioned, more than half said that the twilight zone of the inexplicable influenced their lives more than religion.

A growth in visits to psychics, faith healers and seances give weight to the findings.

Even sceptical scientists are more open-minded to the paranormal, prepared to test it out before throwing it out.

Unruffled, the Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey, says the survey simply shows that people are "incorrigibly spiritual".

Meanwhile church leaders have recently produced pledges and videos to attract people to the fold, prompting some to comment that religion has lost its meaning.

God's faithful however do not agree. The power of the paranormal is just a fad, they say.

Religion still has great meaning; the pilgrims converging on Mecca and Rome each year prove it.

But as TV's the X files thrives and congregations dwindle, others question the relevance of religion in the world today.

What do you think?

Has religion lost its meaning?

What you have said so far:

Religion will always survive...
Jonathan Marks, UK

Belief in a God was necessary in the past...
Robert Castle, US

Your reaction in full






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