93pct of Brits to skip the church on Christmas

London, Dec 25 (ANI): A new survey has revealed that almost 93 per cent of Britons would be skipping the church on Christmas Day.

They would either be spending Christmas eating turkey, drinking champagne or opening presents - but will not attend the church.

The study by Opinion Matters only 11 per cent had the intention of attending Midnight Mass last night on Christmas Eve, while 86 per cent said they sent Christmas cards.

Daily Express columnist Ann Widdecombe told Express.co.uk: "If you're not going to church on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day then why are you celebrating Christmas?"

"What does Christmas mean if you are not going to church?" she asked.

The survey also showed that a huge 87 per cent of 16-24-year-olds are opting out, compared with only 72 per cent of over 55s.

Widdecombe said political correctness is the reason for the low attendance figures.

"Political correctness is surpressing Christianity. You can no longer say what you think because you be accused of offending other faiths," she added.

Women are more likely to attend church over Christmas than men.

Only 11 per cent of men said they would spend the holy day there, compared with 14 per cent of women. Rector Thomas Holme said low numbers of church attendance are down to secularisation.

"The country has become much more secular," he said

"'When am I going to church?' is still very much down on the list of thoughts at Christmas.

"I am not encouraged by the future of the church and organised religion - it is in decline," he added. (ANI)