Research conducted by the Theos think tank examined attitudes toward Christianity and British national identity among 1,765 adults surveyed in April 2026. The study identified five distinct groups and found that the segment most aligned with Christian nationalism, representing 11% of respondents and termed “identity integrationists” by researchers, exhibited notably lower rates of religious practice compared to other Christian-identified groups.
Within this Christian nationalist segment, 81% identified as Christian, yet only 13% attended church weekly—marginally above the 11% population average. Approximately 31% reported praying weekly, and 47% expressed interest in the Bible. This group demonstrated strong opposition to immigration and Islam, with only 19% agreeing that Christian values require welcoming asylum seekers and just 30% supporting equal treatment of religions in public life.
In contrast, a separate group comprising 13% of respondents, labeled “belief integrationists,” showed higher levels of religious observance and greater openness to immigration and religious diversity. Among this group, 31% attended church weekly, 46% prayed weekly, and 62% expressed Bible interest. Nearly half agreed that Christian values require supporting asylum seekers, while 63% supported equal religious treatment in public life. Only 18% of this more observant group considered defending Britain’s Christian culture essential to being Christian, compared to 90% of the Christian nationalist group.
The findings challenge assumptions that rising Christian nationalism reflects a Christian revival in Britain. Instead, researchers suggest Christianity increasingly functions as a marker of British identity amid concerns about immigration, Islam, and cultural change. Additional survey data revealed that 55% of respondents would be unhappy if their local church converted to a mosque, and 37% agreed with the “great replacement” conspiracy theory regarding European demographics.
Church leaders and theologians interviewed for the report emphasized distinctions between cultural Christianity and practiced faith. A Church of England bishop noted that Christian discipleship involves costly personal commitment beyond public display of symbols. Theologians stressed that the global Christian community remains ethnically and nationally diverse, cautioning against equating Christianity with any single nationality or identity.
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