More people in Britain think religion causes harm than believe it does good, according to a Guardian/ICM poll published today. It shows that an overwhelming majority see religion as a cause of division and tension – greatly outnumbering the smaller majority who also believe that it can be a force for good. The poll also reveals that non-believers outnumber believers in Britain by almost two to one. It paints a picture of a sceptical nation with massive doubts about the effect religion has on society: 82% of those questioned say they see religion as a cause of division and tension between people. Only 16% disagree. The findings are at odds with attempts by some religious leaders to define the country as one made up of many faith communities. Most people have no personal faith, the poll shows, with only 33% of those questioned describing themselves as ‘a religious person’. A clear majority, 63%, say that they are not religious – including more than half of those who describe themselves as Christian. Older people and women are the most likely to believe in a god, with 37% of women saying they are religious, compared with 29% of men. […]