New research shows that they are ignorant of even the basic facts of the biblical story.
But they do have detailed knowledge about the storylines of television programmes. The poll shows that while 80 per cent of people could name gold, frankincense and myrrh as the gifts brought by the three kings to Jesus in Bethlehem, the figure dropped to just 28 per cent among the under-30s. The findings prove the decline in religious education is taking its toll, said Nick Seaton, chairman of the Campaign for Real Education. Even if they do not grow up into churchgoers, religious education helps children to understand our culture, where we come from and who we are. The survey also revealed that only 20 per cent could name Herod as the King who ordered the first born to be slain and just 18 per cent knew that Mary and Joseph travelled to Bethlehem to complete a census.