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The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in northwestern Europe, off the coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with a population of over 69 million in 2024. The UK includes the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland, and most of the smaller islands within the British Isles, covering 94,354 square miles (244,376 km2). It shares a land border with the Republic of Ireland and is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, the English Channel, the Celtic Sea and the Irish Sea, while maintaining sovereignty over the Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories. The capital and largest city of England and the UK is London; Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast are the national capitals of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Britain has been inhabited since the Neolithic. In AD 43 the Roman conquest of Britain began. The Roman departure between 383 and 410 was followed by Anglo-Saxon settlement beginning around 450. In 1066 the Normans conquered England. Over the 17th century the role of the British monarchy was reduced, particularly as a result of the English Civil War. In 1707 the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland united under the Treaty of Union to create the Kingdom of Great Britain. The Acts of Union 1800 incorporated the Kingdom of Ireland to create the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in 1801. Most of Ireland seceded from the UK in 1922 as the Irish Free State, and the Royal and Parliamentary Titles Act 1927 created the present United Kingdom. Christianity remains the largest religion in the UK, but it's a minority faith in England and Wales (46.2% in 2021), with "no religion" being the second most common response; denominations like Anglicanism, Catholicism, and the Church of Scotland are prominent, though membership has declined, especially in England, with significant regional differences like higher Christian identification in Northern Ireland. 2021 Census England & Wales reports Christian: 46.2% (down from 59.3% in 2011). No Religion: 37.2% (up from 25.1% in 2011). Muslim: 6.5%. Hindu: 1.7%.
Scotland (2022 Census) says 51% reported no religion, while 38.8% identified as Christian, with the Church of Scotland (20%) and Catholics (13%) being largest groups. In Northern Ireland (2021) Christianity is still the majority (79.7%), though declining, notes Wikipedia. the Anglicanism (Church of England) is the most common denomination, but with declining numbers, Religion Media Centre notes Wikipedia and The Economist. Catholicism, Methodism, Baptist and their significant Protestant and Catholic groups exist. While mainstream churches see declines, certain communities, like some Black Pentecostal churches, have shown stronger adherence. Christianity's role has shifted from a societal norm to a personal choice, with a notable increase in the non-religious population across the UK, The Guardian states The Economist.
Scotland (2022 Census) says 51% reported no religion, while 38.8% identified as Christian, with the Church of Scotland (20%) and Catholics (13%) being largest groups. In Northern Ireland (2021) Christianity is still the majority (79.7%), though declining, notes Wikipedia. the Anglicanism (Church of England) is the most common denomination, but with declining numbers, Religion Media Centre notes Wikipedia and The Economist. Catholicism, Methodism, Baptist and their significant Protestant and Catholic groups exist. While mainstream churches see declines, certain communities, like some Black Pentecostal churches, have shown stronger adherence. Christianity's role has shifted from a societal norm to a personal choice, with a notable increase in the non-religious population across the UK, The Guardian states The Economist.
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Bible-Belt Christianity Is a Harder Mission Field than Secularism I spent five years planting a church in London, a city that had largely forgotten the faith that forged it. Then I accepted a call to pastor a 205-year-old congregation in downtown Nashville. And when I left London, I carried something I’m still not comfortable naming. Shame. I felt I was leaving the most needed place, a city full of people still to reach, the infinite game of a church that was planted but needed more work, for the easier road; stepping off the front line and into the rear, so it seemed. I was wrong. Revitalizing a church in the South has been harder than planting one in London. That isn’t a complaint, and it’s not personal. I just didn’t see coming. I want to offer fellow pastors the lesson these two cities taught me, one starved of the faith, and one so stuffed with it that it had lost the taste, a diagnosis I had no words for until I’d lived in both places. (Gospel Coalition 7.5.26)READMORE>>>>>> The delusional grandiosity of Nick Tenconi Nick Tenconi leads UKIP to Marble Arch last JanuaryNick Tenconi appears to be displaying clear symptoms of a condition called ‘grandiose delusions’ characterised (it says here) by believing, for instance, that one
The Quiet Revival, my Roman Empire, and other times that I’ve been proven right As an observer of the church in the UK and certified data nerd/psephologist, I knew that the data in the Bible Society’s report went against all available evidence. Attendance data from the Church of England and the Catholic Church, data from the UK Census, and the British Attitudes Survey all disagree to a sharp increase in Christian attendance or identification as the Bible Society are suggesting. The British Attitudes Survey even showing the reverse pattern the The Bible Society claim for an uptick in the identification with Christianity. Moreover, the consistent data picture is one of decades of steady decline. In 1960, just under 7% were on the Church of England’s electoral roll, in 2019, that had dropped to just 1.5%. The 2021 Census shows that identification with Christianity has dropped below half the population for the first time in England and Wales (46.2%, down from 59.3% in 2011). (Liberal Democrat Voice 4.17.26)READMORE>>>>>> Starmer urges US and Iran to 'find way through' after peace talks falter Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has urged the US and Iran "to find a way through", after initial peace talks between Iran and the US finished without an agreement to end the war. Sir Keir warned against "further escalation" in the Middle East, after the negotiations between the two sides in Pakistan concluded in the early hours of Sunday. Downing Street said the prime minister discussed the talks - which the UK is not involved in - with the Sultan of Oman in a phone call on Sunday. The failure to reach a deal creates uncertainty over whether a fragile two-week ceasefire between Iran and the US will continue to hold. (BBC; 4.12.26)READMORE>>>>>> |
January 17, 2026: Premier Christianity reported: A school in Wales which had been accused of promoting evangelical Christianity to its pupils has been found to be “operating fully within relevant legislation and guidance”. Powys Council commissioned an independent review into Llanidloes High School after the National Secular Society (NSS) raised concerns in 2024 that school resources were being used to teach creationism and promote Christianity at the expense of other faiths and beliefs. It said one classroom had a display of marine life accompanied by quotes from the Bible about God creating the creatures in the sea. However, the review found no evidence of evangelisation or inappropriate promotion of Christianity. |
Pandering to Christian nationalism is a dangerous game
In the space of a few days, both our Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition have been rehashing a familiar line about Britain's 'Christian identity'. It is a well-worn political trope. But in today's climate, its revival looks less like nostalgia and more like a calculated response to rising identity politics – and that should raise alarm bells. Over Easter, Kemi Badenoch declared that "Britain is a Christian country" before announcing proposals to channel more public money into churches to fund repairs – despite the fact that the Church of England is perfectly capable of funding itself, but chooses instead to prioritise evangelism. She went further, stating that her hypothetical government would "embrace, promote and defend" Christian heritage, adding that "churches embody the values that built our country".
(National Secular Society; 4.9.26)READMORE>>>>>>
In the space of a few days, both our Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition have been rehashing a familiar line about Britain's 'Christian identity'. It is a well-worn political trope. But in today's climate, its revival looks less like nostalgia and more like a calculated response to rising identity politics – and that should raise alarm bells. Over Easter, Kemi Badenoch declared that "Britain is a Christian country" before announcing proposals to channel more public money into churches to fund repairs – despite the fact that the Church of England is perfectly capable of funding itself, but chooses instead to prioritise evangelism. She went further, stating that her hypothetical government would "embrace, promote and defend" Christian heritage, adding that "churches embody the values that built our country".
(National Secular Society; 4.9.26)READMORE>>>>>>
Thousands join London march against Christian nationalism
More than a thousand Christians have marched together against Christian nationalism and the far-right's use of Britain’s “Christian heritage” to justify racism and anti-immigrant rhetoric. The group was part of a wider event, called The Together March, which had over two hundred civil society organisations taking part in the march in central London. The Christian bloc was made up more than 20 Christian organisations including Better Story, Christians for a Welcoming Britain, Oasis Church Waterloo, Red Letter Christians and Christian Climate Action among others, marching together, to show that the Christian message is one of God’s love for all. (Premier Christian 3.28.26) READMORE>>>>>
More than a thousand Christians have marched together against Christian nationalism and the far-right's use of Britain’s “Christian heritage” to justify racism and anti-immigrant rhetoric. The group was part of a wider event, called The Together March, which had over two hundred civil society organisations taking part in the march in central London. The Christian bloc was made up more than 20 Christian organisations including Better Story, Christians for a Welcoming Britain, Oasis Church Waterloo, Red Letter Christians and Christian Climate Action among others, marching together, to show that the Christian message is one of God’s love for all. (Premier Christian 3.28.26) READMORE>>>>>
February 5, 2026:
RANDOM NOTES & POLITICAL BYTES
Zorek
The governments of several countries around the world are reacting to the release of the millions of files released last week.
UK had an official resign.
Polish PM says they are investigating if the "satanic circle" trafficked Polish women or girls AND whether Epstein had association with Russia and another seeking info on whether Epstein was blackmailing people for Russia.
The files also revealed a 2009 email exchange between Epstein and a person identifying as a CBC Edmonton,Canada employee; the CBC stated they had no knowledge of this relationship.
Jack Lang, a former French culture minister showed up in the file release.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Mexico is open to cooperating with U.S. authorities if requested in the investigation into the Jeffrey Epstein case, after prominent Mexican business and political figures were named in documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Emails revealed that Epstein arranged for a Russian woman to meet "Eduardo" in London, identified as Eduardo Teodorani, an Italian businessman and chairman of the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the UK.
Teodorani appears extensively in the documents and asked Epstein about visiting Europe in 2012. King Frederik X: According to reports citing the new files, then-Crown Prince Frederik (Denmark) was mentioned twice in 2012 communications related to dinners with Epstein associate.
Connections to Germany primarily revolve around his financial dealings with Deutsche Bank and alleged, unverified interest from German business figures. The government record recounts the informant, known in government-speak as a confidential human source (CHS), recalling that Epstein's attorney, Alan Dershowitz, told then-US Attorney of the Southern District of Florida Alex Ocasta "that Epstein belonged to both U.S. and allied intelligence services."
Emails showed Epstein discussed how to profit from Scottish developments around 2014.
>>The USA has lots of connections and Trump is at the top of that list from mentions in files and witness testimony. And there are still Magas who have blinded themselves from it...as Trump lies and claims he know nothing. It wasn't that long ago that he said he didnt even know Epstein.<<
UK had an official resign.
Polish PM says they are investigating if the "satanic circle" trafficked Polish women or girls AND whether Epstein had association with Russia and another seeking info on whether Epstein was blackmailing people for Russia.
The files also revealed a 2009 email exchange between Epstein and a person identifying as a CBC Edmonton,Canada employee; the CBC stated they had no knowledge of this relationship.
Jack Lang, a former French culture minister showed up in the file release.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Mexico is open to cooperating with U.S. authorities if requested in the investigation into the Jeffrey Epstein case, after prominent Mexican business and political figures were named in documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Emails revealed that Epstein arranged for a Russian woman to meet "Eduardo" in London, identified as Eduardo Teodorani, an Italian businessman and chairman of the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the UK.
Teodorani appears extensively in the documents and asked Epstein about visiting Europe in 2012. King Frederik X: According to reports citing the new files, then-Crown Prince Frederik (Denmark) was mentioned twice in 2012 communications related to dinners with Epstein associate.
Connections to Germany primarily revolve around his financial dealings with Deutsche Bank and alleged, unverified interest from German business figures. The government record recounts the informant, known in government-speak as a confidential human source (CHS), recalling that Epstein's attorney, Alan Dershowitz, told then-US Attorney of the Southern District of Florida Alex Ocasta "that Epstein belonged to both U.S. and allied intelligence services."
Emails showed Epstein discussed how to profit from Scottish developments around 2014.
>>The USA has lots of connections and Trump is at the top of that list from mentions in files and witness testimony. And there are still Magas who have blinded themselves from it...as Trump lies and claims he know nothing. It wasn't that long ago that he said he didnt even know Epstein.<<
Christian teacher fired for sharing Evangelical views appeals employment dismissal ruling
A Christian lecturer was in court this week to appeal a tribunal decision that upheld his dismissal from a Bible college over a social media post expressing traditional Evangelical views on sexuality. Aaron Edwards argues that the Sheffield Tribunal's ruling upholding his dismissal unlawfully undermined his freedom of religion and expression. (Christian Post; 1.23.26) READMORE>>>>>
A Christian lecturer was in court this week to appeal a tribunal decision that upheld his dismissal from a Bible college over a social media post expressing traditional Evangelical views on sexuality. Aaron Edwards argues that the Sheffield Tribunal's ruling upholding his dismissal unlawfully undermined his freedom of religion and expression. (Christian Post; 1.23.26) READMORE>>>>>
June 16, 2025: GBN reported: One church is being burned every week in the Muslim world in an "alarming" campaign of Christian persecution, a British charity has warned. More than 85,000 Christians were targeted in the last year alone, according to Help the Persecuted (HTP), while places of worship are torched "on a weekly basis". The charity operates in 15 Islamic countries hostile to Christians, deploying indigenous field teams who understand local political and religious climates to help them find safety.
July 25, 2025: Premier Christianity reported: Being a Christian helps emotional wellbeing and resilience, according to a new report. The Institute for the Impact of Faith in Life (IIFL) surveyed over 2000 adults in the UK (Christian, Muslim and those of no faith) and found that people of faith reported greater life satisfaction and worry less than non-believers. It shows they are also more inclined to recognise positives in life and stay optimistic when faced with challenges.
August 1, 2025: MSN reported: Spurgeon’s College in London, a leading Baptist theological institution founded by Charles Spurgeon in 1856, announced its immediate closure on Thursday after 169 years of continuous operation — citing financial insolvency and the sudden loss of critical funding support. The decision, described by the Board of Trustees as made “with deep sadness and great regret,” marks the end of one of the United Kingdom’s most influential evangelical training centers, long recognized for preparing men and women for pastoral, academic and missional leadership.
August 5, 2025: Byline Times reported: Protests took place at an evangelical Christian Creation Fest in Cornwall over the weekend, after campaigners discovered a stall which appeared to call for the ethnic cleansing of Gaza, with leaflets describing Palestinian people as “savage”. Palestine Solidarity Cornwall took action after literature, which campaigners say amounts to hate speech, was found on the Israeli based ‘Maoz Israel’ stall at the four-day festival. One article advocates for Donald Trump’s widely condemned ‘Riviera’ plan to ethnically cleanse Gaza of Palestinians and rebuild it as part of Israel.
November 8, 2025: The Intercept reported: As the BBC faces mounting allegations of bias and a potential $1billion lawsuit from Donald Trump, Dr Jenny Taylor says the corporation needs to remember its Christian roots and get back to valuing the truth. The BBC faces an existential moment. As the finest – and perhaps freest - media institution in the world faces the wrath of Trump over its biased editing of his speech, it is time for an apology. But will we get one? The Beeb has been caught red-handed, doing – and still denying - what Christians have been saying for decades: creating division and cultural decay in its news and current affairs output. This is more than mere “error”.
November 13, 2025: Premier Christianity reported: A group of three Christian friends from North London are attempting to tackle notions of ‘Christian nationalism' through a grassroots movement. Better Story aims to spread a gospel-based counter to recent anti-migration riots, which saw crucifixes displayed alongside nationalist symbols. Tommy Sharpe, along with his wife Poppy Sharpe and friend Fergus Burnett, felt prompted to tell "a better story" after witnessing first-hand the clash between anti-immigration and anti-fascist ideologies.
November 22, 2025: Christian Post reported: In a message sent to families, acting head teacher Lloyd Allington said the film’s references to demons were “deeply uncomfortable” for some members of the school’s Christian community. The term K-pop is short for Korean popular music, a genre that originated in South Korea. “KPop Demon Hunters” has drawn attention for blending typical teen themes with a supernatural plot. Released in June, the movie follows a fictional K-pop girl group that secretly fights demons and features a rival group called the Saja Boys, a demon boy band whose music explores themes such as temptation and seduction. It has become the most-watched film in Netflix’s history and spawned a commercially successful soundtrack.
December 13, 2025: The Guardian reported: The Church of England has released a video in response to a Christmas carols event on Saturday being organised by the far-right activist Tommy Robinson amid calls from a growing number of senior church figures to challenge Christian nationalism. In the 43-second video, Christmas Isn’t Cancelled, posted on the church’s YouTube channel, more than 20 people from the archbishop of York to schoolchildren speak about the “joy, love and hope” of Christmas. The message is “a simple reminder that Christmas belongs to all of us, and everyone is welcome to celebrate”, the C of E said. A number of its leaders are speaking out against the dangers of Christian nationalism and the appropriation of Christian symbols to bolster the anti-migrant views of Robinson and his supporters taking part in the “Unite the Kingdom” event.
December 19, 2025: Premier Christianity reported: The prime minister faces a rebellion over his government’s proposals to limit jury trials in England and Wales in an attempt to tackle a record backlog of 79,619 crown court cases. The Christian Legal Centre’s Andrea Williams believes there are Christian principles behind juries. They play a vital role in ensuring no single human authority has unchecked power, she says.The prime minister faces a rebellion over his government’s proposals to limit jury trials in England and Wales in an attempt to tackle a record backlog of 79,619 crown court cases. The Christian Legal Centre’s Andrea Williams believes there are Christian principles behind juries. They play a vital role in ensuring no single human authority has unchecked power,
March 11, 2024: Christianity Today reported: CUK Christians Asked to Give Up Their Banks for Lent. Climate activists say finance is a justice issue and moving accounts can have a significant impact.
June 16, 2023: Christian Post reported: The Church of England Evangelical Council has issued a statement rejecting the criminalization of homosexual behavior.
September 12, 2022: Theopolis reported: On September 8th 2022, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II died. She was our longest-reigning monarch; the magnitude of her presence in the United Kingdom’s life defies most superlatives. The first of her fifteen British prime ministers was Winston Churchill; she appointed her final one, Liz Truss—who was born over a century after Churchill—only a couple of days before her death. Within all of the realms that she ruled, there were more than 170 prime ministers over the duration of her reign. She was the last remaining person in British public life to have served in the Second World War, a living connection to a generation and world that has now almost entirely passed. In 2017, she celebrated her seventieth wedding anniversary with HRH the Duke of Edinburgh and, earlier this year, houses were decked with bunting and streets hosted parties as we marked the Platinum Jubilee. In the wake of her death, we find ourselves scrabbling feebly for ways to express the nature and gravity of our loss. Many have instinctively reached for the language of familiarity: she is the beloved grandmother of her realms, her presence ubiquitous throughout our lives, uniting us with our childhood selves in a sense of love and appreciation. This doubtless expresses something of the love that she evoked in her subjects and around the world, yet it still seems to fall frustratingly short of capturing the weight of her death.
November 30, 2022: Christianity Daily reported: Questions about the position of church leaders in the House of Lords and the disestablishments of the Church of England rise as less people identify as Christians. The Guardian reported that a study stated that less than half of the population of England and Wales identify as Christians. The ONS Census reported that there are 5.5 million fewer Christians from 2011 to today. The Muslim population grew from 2.7 million to 3.9 million.
November 30, 2022: Charisma reported: According to Census 2021, Christianity has now become a minority in England and Wales. And pastor and author R.T. Kendall, who spent 25 years as the senior minister at Westminster Chapel in London, says it's only going to get worse.
The 2021 census revealed that only 46.2% of people identified themselves as Christians, compared with 59.3% of the population in the 2011 census, a 13-percentage point drop over the past decade.
The 2021 census revealed that only 46.2% of people identified themselves as Christians, compared with 59.3% of the population in the 2011 census, a 13-percentage point drop over the past decade.