NEARLY twice as many young people believe in horoscopes as in the Bible, according to a poll today.

The same survey found that the population in general has more faith in Tarot cards and palm reading than in the Government.

The findings indicate that the over-45s remain loyal to the Bible but sceptical towards the Government, while under-45s are more likely to believe in horoscopes and the Government. Among young people, where more than half believed in horoscopes, fewer than three in ten had any faith in the Government.

The satellite television channel FX289, part of the Fox network, surveyed 3,000 people in research carried out to support the channel’s new apocalyptic drama Carnivale. Pollsters found that 62 per cent of people aged 18 to 24 believed in the power of horoscopes, compared with nearly 38 per cent who believed in the Bible.

Among the over-45s, more than seven in ten believed in the Bible, compared with fewer than two in ten who believed in the Government. Over all age groups, women were twice as likely to believe in palm reading than in the Government.

The poll also showed a country divided over matters of faith and politics. Those in the South West of England were most disillusioned in the Government, people in Northern Ireland remained the most religious, while the North East contained the most non-believers in the Bible.

The South East had the highest number of believers in Tarot, 50 per cent.

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