Leeds Believes in God...

The people of Leeds are more likely to believe in God than their national counterparts, a survey today suggested.

LINK TO ALPHA FOLLOW ON MATERIALS HERE

With 41% stating that they believed, Leeds residents outstripped the national average of just one third. The findings, following a poll of around 1,300 local residents, were released as a record breaking number of churches across the city geared up to launch the Leeds Citywide Alpha Course on Friday October 2 at Leeds Town Hall.

Members of the Citywide Alpha Team hit the streets to test the spiritual temperature of the city before the launch event on Friday, which will see an ex-Calendar newsreader, politician Jonathan Aitken and fitness guru Rosemary Conley visit the city to formally launch the 10-week introduction to Christianity.

Chris Frost, Citywide Alpha Coordinator, said: ‘We were surprised by the statistics and the level of belief that exists in the city, but we’re also aware that over half the population of the city is either atheist or yet to make up their minds on whether there is a God’.

The findings showed that women more readily believed than men, with nearly half (46%) of all women responding positively to the question ‘Does God exist?’ as opposed to 40% of men. Unsuprisingly, older residents of the city are more likely to believe in God, with over two-thirds (67%) of the over-fifties professing their faith.

Over 60 churches are supporting the citywide Alpha course; a record-breaking number for the city.

For more information or for free tickets please call 0113 243 7916 or email citywidealphaleeds@googlemail.com.