Chicago, February 20 : US President Barack Obama has beaten Jesus Christ to be American's number one hero, according to a new Harris poll.

The top 10 list based on the poll showed Obama at number one position, Christ at number two, and Martin Luther King at number three.

Wrapping up the top five Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush.

They were followed by Abraham Lincoln, John McCain, John F. Kennedy, Chesley Sullenberger, and Mother Teresa in the same order.

The online survey involved 2,634 US adults, reports the Chicago Sun-Times.

The news report said that those surveyed were asked whom they admired enough to call their heroes, but were not shown any list of people to choose from.

In a Harris Poll conducted in 2001, Jesus Christ was the hero mentioned most often, followed by Martin Luther King, Colin Powell, John F. Kennedy and Mother Teresa.

Bush was rated 19th at the time, but the latest list shows him to be on number five.

John McCain, who was not in the top 20 in 2001, is presently number seven.

Mother Teresa, who was number 5 in 2001, is now number 10.

American's top 10 heroes are:

1. Barack Obama
2. Jesus Christ
3. Martin Luther King
4. Ronald Reagan
5. George W. Bush
6. Abraham Lincoln
7. John McCain
8. John F. Kennedy
9. Chesley Sullenberger
10. Mother Teresa (ANI)