Religion
Although the UK is historically a Christian society, everyone has the legal right to practise the religion of their choice. In the 2001 census, just over 75% said they had a religion: 7 out of 10 of these were Christians. There were also a considerable number of people who followed other religions. Although many people in the UK said they held religious beliefs, currently only around 10% of the population attend religious services. More people attend services in Scotland and Northern Ireland than in England and Wales. In London the number of people who attend religious services is increasing.
Religions in the UK | % |
Christian (10% of whom are Roman Catholic) | 71.6 |
Muslim | 2.7 |
Hindu | 1.0 |
Sikh | 0.6 |
Jewish | 0.5 |
Buddhist | 0.3 |
Other | 0.3 |
Total All | 77 |
No religion | 15.5 |
Not stated | 7.3 |
Source National Statistics from the 2001 census
The Christian Churches
In England there is a constitutional link between church and state. The official church of the state is the Church of England. The Church of England is called the Anglican Church in other countries and the Episcopal Church in Scotland and in the USA. The Church of England is a Protestant church and has existed since the Reformation in the 1530s. The king or queen (the monarch) is the head, or Supreme Governor, of the Church of England. The monarch is not allowed to marry anyone who is not Protestant. The spiritual leader of the Church of England is the Archbishop of Canterbury. The monarch has the right to select the Archbishop and other senior church officials, but usually the choice is made by the Prime Minister and a committee appointed by the Church. Several Church of England bishops sit in the House of Lords. In Scotland, the established church is the Presbyterian Church; its head is the Chief Moderator. There is no established church in Wales or in Northern Ireland.
Other Protestant Christian groups in the UK are Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists and Quakers. 10% of Christians are Roman Catholic (40% in Northern Ireland).
Patron saints
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each have a national saint called a patron saint. Each saint has a feast day. In the past these were celebrated as holy days when many people had a day off work. Today these are not public holidays except for 17 March in Northern Ireland.
Patron saints’ days
St David’s day, Wales | 1 March |
St Patrick’s day, Northern Ireland | 17 March |
St George’s day, England | 23 April |
St Andrew’s day, Scotland | 30 November |
There are also four public holidays a year called Bank Holidays. These are of no religious or national significance.