"But YouGov, which carried out the research in 2024, said on Thursday that the data sample was flawed, with 'a number of respondents who we can now identify as fraudulent.'"

#UK #religion #ReligiousRevival #YouGov #AI #BibleSociety
/5

"A YouGov survey showing a significant rise in church attendance in parts of the UK has been withdrawn after some respondents were found to be fraudulent.

The poll was central to a Quiet Revival report, published by the Bible Society last year, which prompted news stories about an apparent resurgence in Christianity, particularly among young people."

~ Nadeem Badshah and Sinéad Campbell

#UK #religion #ReligiousRevival #YouGov #AI #BibleSociety
/4

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/26/yougov-withdraws-survey-church-attendance-christianity-young-people-england-wales

"And academics and experts are warning that this episode should serve as a parable, not about a renaissance in religion, but of the false prophets of artificial intelligence.

Researchers have said online opt-in surveys are becoming increasingly infested with bogus data as respondents who are often paid for their participation use AI to fill in questionnaires at speed."

#UK #religion #ReligiousRevival #YouGov #AI #BibleSociety
/3

"Based on data collected by a YouGov survey, it claimed church attendance was increasing in England and Wales. The findings drove headlines, and the narrative was established.

There was just one problem – the survey turned out to be based on 'fraudulent' data and has been withdrawn."

#UK #religion #ReligiousRevival #YouGov #AI #BibleSociety
/2