Britain is still a Christian country, say most Brits

The Church of England (Photo: Facebook/Church of England)

Most Brits, including those with no faith, still regard the UK as a Christian country, a YouGov poll has found.

Over half (56%) of the 2,169 people surveyed said the UK was a Christian country, a proportion that rose to over two thirds (69%) among Christians.

Even a significant share of non-Christians (47%) and the non-religious (49%) said the same. 

However, young people - those aged 16 to 24 - were split on whether the UK was a Christian country, with 41% saying it was and 39% saying it wasn't. 

Viewing the UK as a Christian rose with age, with just over half (53%) of 25- to 39-year-olds saying it was, and 61% of those aged 60 and above believing the same. 

The study also found universal support for Christmas and Easter remaining as public holidays, regardless of how many Brits actually celebrate them. 

Even among non-Christians, eight in ten supported Christmas Day as a public holiday and nearly three quarters (74%) Good Friday and Easter Sunday. 

And there was broad support for British schools putting on Nativity plays during the Christmas period, with 45% of the public saying they "strongly approve" and a third saying they "somewhat" approve.  Only 12% were against schools organising Nativity plays.

When it comes to teaching in schools though, only a third of Britons felt that children should be taught more about Christian festivals than those of other religions. Over half (53%) said they should be taught equally about the festivals of Christianity and other religions. 

News
Russia and Ukraine agree to temporary Orthodox Easter truce
Russia and Ukraine agree to temporary Orthodox Easter truce

In the Orthodox calendar, Easter falls one week after the date celebrated in western Europe.

Bishop urges people of Britain to stand up for Christian truth
Bishop urges people of Britain to stand up for Christian truth

It follows an earlier open letter addressed to King Charles, calling upon him to defend Christianity in line with his titles of Supreme Governor of the Church of England and "Defender of the Faith".

Fundraising Regulator reminds churches that collections are subject to code of practice
Fundraising Regulator reminds churches that collections are subject to code of practice

Churches can breach the code even when acting in good faith.

Religion is often left unspoken in the workplace despite widespread faith identity, research finds
Religion is often left unspoken in the workplace despite widespread faith identity, research finds

Fifteen per cent of UK employees with a faith say they have experienced religious discrimination in the workplace.