religion in the united kingdom

The United Kingdom is traditionally a Christian country, with two of the Home nations having official faiths:

Anglicanism, in the form of the Church of England, is the established church in England. The Queen is Supreme Governor of the Church of England.
The Church of Scotland, a presbyterian church, is the national church of Scotland. The Queen is an ordinary member of the Church of Scotland.
The Anglican Church in Wales was disestablished in 1920.
The Anglican Church of Ireland was disestablished in 1871.

History

Before Christianity

Paganism in the British Isles was supplemented by the arrival of Roman religion: see, for example, the Temple of Mithras, London.

Christianity

Christianity 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, William Morgan and Welsh Bible.

From the Reformation to established national churches

The 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:

Act of Supremacy

Oath of Supremacy

Nonjuring schism

For more information on the history of the Reformation in Scotland, see also John Knox, Jenny Geddes, and Bishops' Wars.

Roman Catholicism

Relations 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 denominations

Other 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:

The Baptist Union of Great Britain
The General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches
The United Reformed Church
The Salvation Army

Scotland

Since 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 politics

The 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 rle of the churches in the constitution is perennial in British politics:

Secularism and tolerance

Despite 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. See Status of religious freedom in the United Kingdom. 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 at 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.

Judaism

For 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 faiths

More recently, immigration has led to the introduction of other religions that are popular amongst ethnic minorities, such as Islam (see Islam in the United Kingdom), 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."

Saints

Traditionally, saints have often been venerated both locally and nationally. This is often reflected in British toponymy. Patron saints:

Saint George - England
Saint Andrew - Scotland
Saint David - Wales
Saint Patrick - Ireland

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. Other martyrs, such as the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales, have also been canonised. 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.

Monasticism

Ancient 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

The Archbishop of Canterbury is the head of the established Church of England

List of Anglican diocesan bishops in Britain and Ireland

The Moderator of the General Assembly presides over, but does not lead, the Church of Scotland
The Primus of Scotland is the presiding bishop of the Scottish Episcopal Church
The Archbishop of Westminster is the leader of the Roman Catholic bishops in Great Britain
The Primate of All Ireland exercises his ecclesiastical jurisdiction in Northern Ireland as well as the Republic of Ireland
The Chief Rabbi is the title of the leader of Orthodox Judaism in the British Isles - see List of Chief Rabbis

The Board of Deputies of British Jews represents Jewish opinion

Notable places of worship

The 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:

List of cathedrals in the United Kingdom
Westminster Abbey - Anglican
Neasden Temple - Hindu
Finsbury Park mosque - Islamic
Victoria Park Mosque - Islamic
Westminster Central Hall - Methodist
Metropolitan Tabernacle - Baptist
Westminster Cathedral - Roman Catholic
Mill Hill Synagogue - Jewish
Kagyu Samy Ling Monastery and Tibetan Centre - Buddhist
York Minster - Anglican

Statistics

In the 2001 census data, people were asked about their beliefs. This also reflects the numbers that regularly go to religious services.

Religions in England & Wales, 2001

eligion!!England!!%ge!!Wales!!%ge
hristian	align=right\|35,251,244	align=right\|71.7	align=right\|2,087,242	align=right\|71.9
uslim	align=right\|1,524,887	align=right\|3.1	align=right\|21,739	align=right\|0.7
indu	align=right\|546,982	align=right\|1.1	align=right\|5,439	align=right\|0.2
ikh	align=right\|327,343	align=right\|0.7	align=right\|2,015	align=right\|0.1
ewish	align=right\|257,671	align=right\|0.5	align=right\|2,256	align=right\|0.1
uddhist	align=right\|139,046	align=right\|0.3	align=right\|5,407	align=right\|0.2
ny other religion	align=right\|143,811	align=right\|0.3	align=right\|6,909	align=right\|0.2
o religion	align=right\|7,171,332	align=right\|14.6	align=right\|537,935	align=right\|18.5
eligion not stated	align=right\|3,776,515	align=right\|7.7	align=right\|234,143	align=right\|8.1

A surveyhttp://www.ccsr.ac.uk/christmas.html in 2002 found average weekly attendance at Anglican churches in England varied between 4.0% of the population in the diocese of Hereford, down to just 1.4% in Birmingham. Church attendance at Christmas in some dioceses was up to three times the average for the rest of the year. A 2004 YouGov poll found that 44 percent of UK citizens believe in God, while 35 percent do not 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

enomination!!Adherents!!%ge
resbyterian Church in Ireland	align=right\|348,742	align=right\|20.7
hurch of Ireland	align=right\|257,788	align=right\|15.3
ethodist Church in Ireland	align=right\|59,173	align=right\|3.5
ther Christian (Including Christian Related)	align=right\|102,221	align=right\|6.1
i>(Total non-catholic Christian)	align=right\|767,924	align=right\|45.6
atholic	align=right\|678,462	align=right\|40.3
ther Religions and Philosophies	align=right\|5,028	align=right\|0.3
o Religion or Religion not Stated	align=right\|233,853	align=right\|13.8

Source: Census 2001. Figures for Scotland are not publicly available.

Religions in Scotland, 2001

eligion/Denomination!!%ge
hurch of Scotland	align="right"\|42
oman Catholic	align="right"\|16
ther Christian	align="right"\|7
slam	align="right"\|0.8
uddhism	align="right"\|0.2
ikhism	align="right"\|0.1
udaism	align="right"\|0.1
induism	align="right"\|0.1
ther Religion	align="right"\|0.5
o Religion	align="right"\|28
eligion not Stated	align="right"\|5