Recent expressions of opinion both from political figures and the media are pressing an issue which is not readily resolved; is the United Kingdom a Christian country?
This question reverberates through all the social and cultural groups which this nation is comprised of. Religion has been a point of consideration which, if nothing else, along with politics, has been taboo within the bedroom. However since the arrival of the Con-Lib coalition, such a quandary is being shouted from the proverbial rooftops.
For those of a secular persuasion, the answer will always be not so much a straight 'no', but rather a disapproving 'yes, but keep it quiet'. It is imperative that people do not brand secularists as haters of religion, for they do not hate it in principle. What they are opposed to is its beliefs and practices being pressed upon society. They acknowledge that religion, in particular Christianity, has played a pivotal role on the formation of this country; however they are of the stance that Christianity is no longer pivotal to the development of this nation.
As for the people of faith, they will tell you 'yes'. I use such broad terms as it is not just the Christian community who believe in this being a Christian country. Baroness Warsi, Conservative Party chairperson and open Muslim, stated that she believes that this country is a Christian one, and that we face "militant secularism...taking hold of our societies". Though the crux of the matter would appear as Christians and Muslims saying yah while Secularists cry nah; yet where are all the other faith groups? This is where the numerical issue becomes apparent and relevant.
Taking a recent poll by the Office for National Statistics, a survey of 413,000 people in September 2011, the figures suggest Christianity would possess a comfortable majority of 68.5% of the population, while Islam would come third with 4.4%. Second place, if the statistics are to be believed, are those of 'No Religion' with 23.2%. However also represented are 5 other groups: Hindu - 1.3%, Other - 1.1%, Sikh - 0.7%, Jewish and Buddhist - 0.4%. These figures may very well represent the true structure of religious affiliation in the UK, and with that it may be said that yes, this is a Christian country.
However, the terminologies used above to outline the figures are umbrella terms, used to cover all denominations found within each grouping. So if you are referring to ‘Jewish’ that would include the three majority groups of Orthodox, Conservative and Reform; or with Buddhism one would have to consider Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. Even the 4.4% of Islam would be broken down into Sunni, Shia and Sufi, not to mention other such sub-groups.
Nevertheless, when it comes to the term Christianity, there are said to be an estimated 38,000 denominations associated with the Christian faith. Out of this a BSA Survey from 2007 can be drawn in, despite the fact it omits Northern Ireland in its findings. The BSA found that within Scotland, England and Wales, roughly 21% of the theoretical 68.5% of Christians were Church of England, 10% were non-denominational, 9% were Roman Catholic, with a further 3% Presbyterian/ Church of Scotland. The remaining 25.5% potentially constitute any number of the other Christian denominations which could possibly be represented.
These figures lead to the deeper and potentially more relevant question; if the UK is a Christian country, which branch does it belong to? This question is even more improbable to be answered. What is clear though that this nation is synonymous with a long and proud tradition of religious diversity. This is not a country of one religion or belief, but rather one of people who are free to practice as openly or as privately as they wish. Whether one holds a faith or not, we are all blessed to be so valued, statistics optional.
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