Nearly two thirds of people in Britain believe in the existence of some kind of "spiritual being" according to a new survey.
That's despite the 2011 Census showing a (12%) decline in the number of people in England and Wales who consider themselves as belonging to a religious group, down from 71% on the previous census.
The Spirit of Things Unseen is based on research, commissioned by CTVC and Theos and conducted by ComRes, which looks at the state of spiritual belief in "post-religious" Britain. It finds that spiritual beliefs, in particular the more esoteric ones, are no weaker today, and in some instances stronger, than they were in the past. For example, over three quarters of all adults (77%) and three fifths (61%) of non-religious people believe that "there are things in life that we simply cannot explain through science or any other means."
Moreover, such spiritual beliefs are not the preserve of the elderly, who might be more inclined towards them on account of having grown up in a more religious culture; or the preserve of the 'religious' alone.
TV executive Peter Weil from CTVC tells Premier the figures speak for themselves:
The research also showed that almost a quarter of those polled had turned to tarot card readings and one in 20 had had their aura read or attempted healing with crystals. But traditional approaches remain strong. While half the population do not believe that prayer can heal people, almost two in five do.
However, Elizabeth Oldfield - director of Theos - has told the News Hour why she thinks Christian leaders should still be concerned by the figures.
CTVC is launching a new podcast to engage with those who don't feel drawn to formal religion but still have some spiritual beliefs or interests.
It has the backing of the Bishop of Bradford, the Rt Revd Nick Baines who said: "We can respond to a changing religious landscape by being nostalgic or creative.
"This excellent initiative has chosen a creative approach to meeting people where they are (rather than where churches wished they were) and opening up universal themes of human experience and questions about it.
"I strongly endorse this approach."
ComRes interviewed 2,036 adults from Great Britain online between 4th and 5th September 2013