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A quarter of adults think Superman is a Biblical hero – testament to a shocking lack of religious education.

A third believe Harry Potter is based on a religious tale . Yet the same number do not know where the story of Adam and Eve is told.

And while they are familiar with the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, more than half did not know it was based on a Bible story.

Six out of ten were in the dark over the feeding of the 5,000, three quarters did not know the story of Daniel and the Lion’s Den and almost nine out of ten had not heard of King Solomon.

Former Poet Laureate Sir Andrew Motion said Bible tales were “indispensable to our understanding of the past, and to the enrichment of our present”.

He added: “It’s essential for us to keep these stories alive, regardless of our religious beliefs - or lack of them."

The Bible Society is appealing for parents to read holy stories to their children.

Dr Richard Chartres, the Bishop of London added: “We need to open up to a new generation, together with their parents, stories that are as inspiring and provocative as they were when first told thousands of years ago.

“Too few children have the opportunity to hear and reflect on what this life-changing book contains.

“Even those that do when they are young, often take its awesome stories for granted when they become adults. There is work to be done.”