“I believe that God is at Father, Son and Holy Spirit”. A survey in Germany commissioned by the IDEA news agency from the company Insa-Consulere asked 2,000 people in the country whether they agreed with this basic statement of historical Christian doctrine.

The result is that 35% said they agreed, 34% said they did not, and 22% said they did not know.

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In line with previous surveys, it is the younger generation who seem to have a clearer understanding of the Christian view. 47% of respondents aged 18 to 29 say they agree with the statement. Those least likely to agree are those over 70 (26%), whilst the middle age group ranges between 31% and 39%.

Germany, which still partly lives with the consequences of the division prior to reunification, has more citizens who identify as Christians in the west of the country than in the east. This is demonstrated by the fact that 37% of respondents in the west affirm the doctrine of the Trinity, whilst in the east the figure drops to 28%.

Independent Evangelicals, Catholics and Protestants

The most striking differences are found among respondents who are members of a Christian church.

Whilst 73% of members of an independent evangelical church affirm the Trinity, only 45% of members of the Protestant Church say they believe in it.

Catholic respondents fall between the two groups, slightly more than half at 55%.

When asked about political affiliation, it is voters for conservative or moderate left-wing parties who are most likely to believe in the Trinity.