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The United Kingdom is traditionally a Christian country, with two of the Home nations having official faiths:
HistoryBefore ChristianityPaganism in the British Isles was supplemented by the arrival of Roman religion: see, for example, the Temple of Mithras, London. ChristianityChristianity was first introduced through the Romans (English mythology links the introduction of Christianity to Britain to the Glastonbury legend of Joseph of Arimathea) and the Romano-British population after the withdrawal of the Roman legions was mostly Christian. However the Anglo-Saxon invasions largely wiped out Christianity from the areas occupied by the Saxons - although whether this was due to conversion of the native population or ethnic cleansing of the original population is widely disputed. What is not disputed is that Anglo-Saxon England was largely pagan by the 7th century. Ireland was converted largely by Romano-British missionaries - notably Saint Patrick at some time after the withdrawal of the Roman legions from England. Irish Christianity developed in a monastic style. Celtic missionaries from Ireland spread Celtic Christianity then came to Scotland - notably through Saint Columba and later the Kingdom of Northumbria. Many works of art and faith were inspired, such as the Lindisfarne Gospels. Augustine of Canterbury established an English church loyal to Rome starting in the Kingdom of Kent - which had strong links to the Franks, including the Kentish King's wife who invited Augustine to England. See History of the Church of England. The Synod of Whitby attempted to reconcile differences of religious practice. Bede's Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum describes the history of the English church. The Bible was eventually translated into vernacular languages in the United Kingdom: see, for example, Wyclif's Bible, William Tyndale and William Morgan. From the Reformation to established national churchesThe religious history of the countries now comprising the United Kingdom has been turbulent and often violent, particularly in power struggles between the Henrician Reformation and the political settlement of the late 17th century (see Act of Settlement 1701 and Act of Security). For more detail of this period see the following articles:
For more information on the history of the Reformation in Scotland, see also John Knox, Jenny Geddes, and Bishops' Wars. Roman CatholicismRelations between adherents of Protestantism and the Roman Catholic Church have at times been difficult (see Papist and Popery). Catholics who clung to their faith in the face of persecution were called recusants. Following Catholic Emancipation in the late 18th and early 19th century (which met violent opposition in the Gordon riots) the Catholic Church in Great Britain re-established a hierarchy in 1850. Since then Anglican and Catholic worship has grown in similarity in many parishes: see Anglo-Catholicism and the Oxford Movement. Some problems of sectarianism still remain, particularly in Northern Ireland. For more detail on Catholic history in England, see English Catholic parish histories. Other Christian denominationsOther traditions of Christianity have a long history. There has been a strain of Nonconformism or Dissent traceable back to Lollardry. For more information on some of these groupings, especially those that came to prominence during the religious ferment of the 16th and 17th centuries, see English Dissenters. Britain provided a place of refuge for Huguenots fleeing religious persecution in France. Many parts of the British Isles developed a strong tradition of Methodism from the 18th century onwards. For more information, see: Orthodoxy has more recently been re-introduced to the United Kingdom by Cypriot, Russian and other immigrants, but increasing numbers of British converts are joining formerly ethnically-based congregations. Among other denominations are:
ScotlandSince the Reformation in Scotland was more influenced by Calvinism than in England, the established church is Presbyterian. The Scottish Episcopal Church, the Anglican church of Scotland and sister-church to the establish Church of England, is a minor church without the status of state religion. Divisions within Presbyterianism in Scotland have led to the setting up of other denominations:
Religion and modern politicsThe strength of nonconformism among workers in the newly-industrialised towns of the Industrial Revolution gave rise, in large measure, to the development of Christian socialism in the United Kingdom. The Labour Party arose from a nonconformist background, whereas the Church of England was often nicknamed "the Conservative Party at prayer" (but see Benjamin Disraeli). As religious disabilities were relaxed in the 19th century, politics was opened up to people of different faiths or none (see Charles Bradlaugh). However, the Church of England still maintains a constitutional position in the legislature: see Lord Spiritual. The debate over the rôle of the churches in the constitution is perennial in British politics: Secularism and toleranceDespite its Christian tradition, the number of churchgoers fell over the last half of the 20th century. Society in the United Kingdom is markedly more secular than in the past, and atheism is also widespread. Until recently, daily acts of Christian worship were required in schools (the "school assembly"), but in the light of a greater religious mix among parents and pupils this requirement has been relaxed. Religious studies is still an obligatory subject in the curriculum, but tends to aim at providing an understanding of the main faiths of the world than instilling a strictly Christian viewpoint. Ecumenical rapprochement has gradually developed between denominations. However, religious conflicts may arise. See, for example, The Satanic Verses (novel). As of 2004, consultation on proposals to update the blasphemy law in the United Kingdom are ongoing. There being no strict separation of church and state in the United Kingdom, public officials may in general display religious symbols in the course of their duties - for example, turbans. School uniform codes are generally drawn up flexibly enough to accommodate religious dress. Chaplains are provided in the armed forces (see Royal Army Chaplains' Department) and in prisons. JudaismFor many centuries Judaism was the only noticeable non-Christian religion (see, for example: History of the Jews in England). The Jewish community has historically suffered expulsions, official restrictions and discrimination, and outbreaks of communal violence - some of which are catalogued at History of anti-Semitism. Other faithsMore recently, immigration has led to the introduction of other religions that are popular amongst ethnic minorities, such as Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism, as well as Pentecostal and Charismatic Christian movements. Religious diversity has led Charles, Prince of Wales to muse publicly on the desirability of being Defender of Faith rather than Defender of the Faith. Religions claiming pre-Christian British origins, such as Wicca and Neo-druidism, retain some followers, although following many centuries of official persecution they are understandably practised rather discreetly. In October 2004 a Royal Navy technician, Chris Cranmer, attracted media attention by registering as a satanist. A spokesman for the Royal Navy said: "We are an equal opportunities employer and we don't stop anybody from having their own religious values." SaintsTraditionally, saints have often been venerated both locally and nationally. This is often reflected in British toponymy.
Many municipalities and regions preserve traditions of their own saints. See, for example, Cornish Saints and Saint Swithun. Saint Alban was, according to tradition, the first Christian martyr in Britain. Pilgrimages were an important religious, social and economic activity in pre-Reformation Britain. The shrine of Thomas Becket attracted particularly large numbers of pilgrims, as recounted in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. Some local pilgrimages have been revived; see, for example, the shrines of Walsingham. MonasticismAncient monasticism in the British Isles spread Christianity to the furthest parts of the archipelago, but the Reformation led to the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Monastic communities have been re-established.
Religious leaders
Notable places of worshipThe varied religious and ethnic history of the United Kingdom has left a wide range of buildings - churches, cathedrals, chapels, chapels of ease, synagogues, mosques and temples - across the country. Changing social and demographic profiles mean that in some areas redundant religious buildings are being converted to secular purposes. In other locations, new places of worship are being established. Here is a selection of articles on notable places of worship in the United Kingdom:
StatisticsIn the 2001 census data, people were asked about their beliefs. This does not reflect the numbers that regularly go to religious services, which are much lower. Religions in England & Wales, 2001
A 2004 YouGov poll found that 44 percent of UK citizens believe in God, while 35 percent do not [2] (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;?xml=/news/2004/12/27/nfaith27.xml&sSheet=/portal/2004/12/27/ixportal.html). The disparity between the census data and the YouGov data has been put down to a phenomenon described as "cultural Christianity", whereby many who do not believe in God still identify with the religion they were bought up as, or the religion of their parents. Religions in Northern Ireland, 2001
Religions in Scotland, 2001
See alsoExternal links
Christian churches
Islam
Atheism
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