The United Kingdom is home to people of many different faiths and beliefs, as well as people of no religion. Freedom of religion is a fundamental right in the UK, and it is important to understand the role that religion plays in British life.
Christianity
Christianity is the main religion in the United Kingdom. The majority of people who identify with a religion in the UK describe themselves as Christian. Christianity in the UK encompasses many different denominations, including Church of England, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, and Baptist, among others.
The Church of England
The Church of England is the established church in England. This means it has a special constitutional status and official relationship with the state:
- The monarch is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England
- Senior Church of England bishops — including the Archbishop of Canterbury (the most senior) and the Archbishop of York — sit in the House of Lords as Lords Spiritual
- Church of England services follow the Book of Common Prayer and the King James Bible
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the most senior figure in the Church of England and leads the worldwide Anglican Communion — a family of churches that traces its origins to the Church of England.
NOTE
The Church of England is the established church in England. The monarch is its Supreme Governor. The Archbishop of Canterbury is its most senior bishop. Church of England bishops are known as Lords Spiritual and sit in the House of Lords.
The Church of Scotland
The Church of Scotland is the national church of Scotland. Unlike the Church of England, it is not an established church in the same constitutional sense — the monarch is an ordinary member of the Church of Scotland, not its head. The Church of Scotland is Presbyterian in character, meaning it is governed by elders rather than bishops.
TIP
The Church of Scotland is Presbyterian — governed by elected elders — unlike the Church of England, which is Episcopal (governed by bishops). The monarch is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England but only an ordinary member of the Church of Scotland.
Other Christian denominations
Other significant Christian denominations in the UK include:
- Roman Catholic — the largest single Christian denomination in the UK after the Church of England; strong presence in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and areas of high Irish and European immigration
- Methodist — founded by John Wesley in the 18th century; emphasises personal faith and service to others
- Baptist — emphasises adult baptism (baptism of believers) and the independence of individual congregations
- Presbyterian — the form of church governance used by the Church of Scotland and some other denominations
- Quaker (Religious Society of Friends) — known for silent worship and strong pacifist and humanitarian traditions
- Eastern Orthodox — practised by many people from Eastern European, Greek, and Middle Eastern communities
Wales and Northern Ireland
In Wales, the Church in Wales is the Anglican (Church of England-style) church. In Northern Ireland, the main Protestant denomination is the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, and the Roman Catholic Church has a large membership.
Other religions in the UK
The UK is home to significant communities of many faiths:
| Religion | Approximate number of followers in UK |
|---|---|
| Islam | ~3.9 million |
| Hinduism | ~1 million |
| Sikhism | ~430,000 |
| Judaism | ~270,000 |
| Buddhism | ~270,000 |
These communities have enriched British culture and society, and their places of worship — mosques, temples, gurdwaras, and synagogues — are an important part of the British landscape.
NOTE
Islam is the second largest religion in the UK. Other significant faiths include Hinduism, Sikhism, Judaism, and Buddhism. These communities have all contributed to British life and culture.
Freedom of religion
The United Kingdom has a long tradition of religious tolerance — the freedom of individuals to practise their own religion, change their religion, or hold no religious beliefs at all.
Key principles:
- It is illegal to discriminate against someone because of their religion or belief under the Equality Act 2010
- People may practise their religion freely in the UK, subject to the law
- The UK does not have a requirement for any religious observance in public life
- There is no requirement for a person to belong to any religion to participate fully in British society
These principles reflect the UK's commitment to equality and respect for all people, regardless of faith or belief.
IMPORTANT
Religious discrimination is illegal in the UK under the Equality Act 2010. Everyone has the right to practise their religion freely, or to hold no religious beliefs. This reflects one of the fundamental values of British society.
Key facts about Religion in the UK for the Life in the UK test:
- Christianity is the main religion; many denominations including Church of England, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian
- Church of England — established church in England; monarch is Supreme Governor; Archbishop of Canterbury is most senior bishop; bishops sit in House of Lords as Lords Spiritual
- Church of Scotland — national church of Scotland; Presbyterian; monarch is an ordinary member (not head)
- Other religions — Islam (second largest), Hinduism, Sikhism, Judaism, Buddhism all have significant communities in the UK
- Freedom of religion — protected by the Equality Act 2010; everyone may practise freely or hold no beliefs
Up next: Customs and traditions — explore the national days, festivals, and traditions that are celebrated across the United Kingdom throughout the year.