Brief
Think‑tank report links UK Christian nationalism to low church attendance
Theos’ April 2026 survey says the most nationalist Britons are rarely churchgoers and prioritize defending Christian heritage.
By Felo News Desk · Published
A report by the think‑tank Theos, based on an April 2026 survey of 1,765 adults, says the most strongly Christian‑nationalist Britons attend church far less often than other believers, and are chiefly motivated by defending the country’s Christian heritage.
What happened
The survey identified five attitude groups toward Christianity and Britishness. The smallest, labelled “identity integrationists,” made up 11% of respondents and matched the profile of Christian nationalism. While 81% of this group identified as Christian, only 13% attended church weekly and 31% prayed weekly. By contrast, the “belief integrationists” – a more religiously observant group of 13% – had 31% weekly church attendance and 46% praying weekly.
What the reports add
The Guardian notes that the identity integrationists were 90% likely to say defending Britain’s Christian culture is essential to being Christian, versus just 18% of belief integrationists. The same group showed strong hostility to immigration and Islam, with only 19% agreeing that Christian values require welcoming asylum seekers, and 30% supporting equal treatment of religions in public life. By comparison, nearly half of belief integrationists (48%) said Christian values demand welcoming asylum seekers, and 63% backed equal religious treatment.
What was said
The report’s authors described the findings as challenging the notion that rising Christian nationalism reflects a revival of faith, arguing instead that Christianity is being used as a marker of British identity amid anxieties about immigration and cultural change.
How it came about
Theos conducted the survey in April 2026, analysing attitudes toward Christianity and national identity. Earlier Felo coverage has examined the role of religion in UK politics, linking this new data to previous reports on the “Unite the Kingdom” rallies where wooden crosses were carried and chants of “Christ is King” were heard.
Key facts
- Theos’ April 2026 survey included 1,765 UK adults. (theguardian.com)
- The “identity integrationist” group, the most nationalist, comprised 11% of respondents. (theguardian.com)
- Only 13% of identity integrationists attended church weekly, compared with 31% of belief integrationists. (theguardian.com)
- 90% of identity integrationists said defending Britain’s Christian culture is important for being Christian, versus 18% of belief integrationists. (theguardian.com)
- Identity integrationists were markedly hostile to immigration and Islam, with just 19% supporting asylum‑seeker welcome. (theguardian.com)
Sources
- [1] theguardian.com — originally reported as “Christian nationalism in Britain driven by people who seldom go to church, says report”
