Christian nationalism in Britain driven by people who seldom go to church, says report

by | Oct 15, 2026 | Religion

Christian nationalism in Britain driven by people who seldom go to church, says report

Research by the Theos think tank has identified distinct groups within the United Kingdom based on their attitudes toward Christianity and national identity. The group exhibiting views most closely aligned with Christian nationalism, labeled “identity integrationists” by researchers, represented 11% of survey respondents. While 81% of this group identified as Christian, only 13% attended church weekly, a figure barely above the 11% population average. Additionally, fewer than one-third prayed weekly, and 47% expressed interest in the Bible.

This group demonstrated strong opposition to immigration and religious diversity. Only 19% believed Christian values required supporting asylum seekers, and just 30% supported equal treatment of religions in public life. A separate group termed “belief integrationists,” comprising 13% of respondents, showed higher levels of religious practice and more favorable attitudes toward immigration and religious pluralism. Within this group, 31% attended church weekly, 46% prayed weekly, and 62% expressed interest in the Bible. Nearly half agreed Christian values demanded welcoming asylum seekers, while 63% supported equal religious treatment.

The research suggests Christian nationalism in Britain reflects invocation of Christianity as a cultural and national marker amid concerns about immigration and social change, rather than a religious revival. The survey of 1,765 adults conducted in April 2026 found that over half of respondents would be unhappy if their local church became a mosque, and more than one-third endorsed the “great replacement” conspiracy theory regarding European demographics.

Church leaders and theologians responding to the findings emphasized distinctions between cultural Christianity and practiced faith. A Church of England bishop noted that Christian discipleship involves commitments beyond public display of religious symbols. A theologian researching far-right uses of Christianity stressed that Christian tradition is inherently multi-ethnic and multinational, and that authentic Christian faith involves transformative spiritual encounter rather than identity adoption.

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