London, England - BECOMING rich and famous has become the top priority in life for today's children, according to a survey of the nation's under-10s.
Families only made sixth and God could only scrape in at 10th place when 2,500 children were asked to name "the best thing in the world".
The research, out today, also found that Wayne Rooney was rated more famous than Jesus among the pre-teens.
Peter Smith, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Cardiff, said, "It sounds rather a self-centred and egocentric approach to life and perhaps, as a society, we need to look at our priorities and what kind of society we are bringing up our kids into.
"The fact that money and fame comes top reflects the sort of society we're living in at the moment.
"I'm talking about things like I'm a Celebrity and X Factor. Youngsters, from what I'm told, watch a lot of television and that's what you get on there.
"And there's the cult of celebrity where you have to be young and beautiful or handsome and have lots of money and that's what life is portrayed as being all about.
"These results are hardly surprising given the secular society we live in at the moment. Many of their parents don't even know what Christmas is all about."
The survey of youngsters was carried out in schools across the UK to coincide with National Kids' Day.
Being rich topped the list of "best things in the world", followed by fame, football, music and animals.
Last year, getting rich did not even make the top 10, while fame was the number one priority.
Asked how much money they would need to be rich, answers ranged from just £460 to £200m.
Luton First, the organisers of today's annual National Kids' Day, carried out the poll through schools and via an online questionnaire.
Its spokesman, Tony Edwards, said it was not surprising that being wealthy had rocketed to the top of children's priorities.
He said, "Children are confronted with people getting rich and it appears to be easy for them.
"There's the National Lottery, where millions are made frequently, and people win huge amounts of money on quiz shows and the radio.
"Not only is getting rich desirable but it also appears readily available, not necessarily that difficult to get."
Under-10s were also asked to name their biggest dislike, with the majority citing "drunk people". War, in fifth, was ranked below smoking, litter, and graffiti. Bullies came sixth, followed by illness, shopping, boredom and nightmares.
The survey of 2,500 under-10s found 72% thought they would marry when they were adults, and 81% expected to have children.
Lies, followed by drunken behaviour, fighting, killing, drugs, knives and guns would be banned if the children had their way.
Asked to name the world's most famous person, God came top, followed by England star Wayne Rooney, then Jesus and David Beckham.
Headteacher Dr Chris Howard - who earlier this year publicly criticised the bad example set by foul-mouthed footballers - described the results as "slightly disturbing".
Dr Howard, head of Lewis School in Pengam, near Caerphilly, said, "I'm not surprised. If you work with children you know the emphasis they put on celebrity.
"It's slightly disturbing but we try to educate them for the society they're being brought up into. Obviously we teach them values beyond those of celebrity but, as I always say, we only get them for six hours a day."
"If anything's changed it's the glorification of celebrity. In fairness to Wayne he's a remarkably talented individual and there are less talented people out there who become famous these days."