Some people have the ‘faith gene’, meaning they are genetically more inclined than others to believe in an organised religion.

Twin studies conducted around the world in the U.S., the Netherlands and Australia as well as ours in the U.K. show a 40 to 50 percent genetic COMPONENT to belief in God.

Where did this religious FERVOUR come from?

It is possible to believe in both evolution theory and God.(Agree/Disagree)

Use words from the word bank to describe your beliefs.(Last lesson)

Have you ever abandoned your beliefs? What happened? Did you ever have a ‘rock bottom’ experience that changed your thinking?

You are more likely to be religious if your parents are religious. (Agree/Disagree)

Use words from the word bank to describe your beliefs.(Last lesson)

For many, the idea that there is a genetic component to our faith (or lack of it), is a stretch too far and damages the concept of self-determination that we hold so DEAR.

Most people can accept diseases or height and even weight being genetically heritable to some EXTENT, but when it comes to our personal beliefs we tend to be more sceptical.

The opposite scenario5 of non-belief is also true: only a tiny 3 percent of the U.S. population report being firmly atheist compared with 18 percent in the U.K.

She admitted: ‘I was initially bemused and then distressed by their fierce disagreements over faith, which being a self-confessed agnostic I just couldn’t relate to.

After leaving home, children with the right PREDISPOSITION can often switch religions.