RELIGION

INTRODUCTION
Around AD 300 Earliest conversions from paganism. Since then British
religious history has been predominantly Christian.
C 16th Protestant Reformation.
Gradual creation of the Church of England: Religion was characterized by
conflict between Roman Catholics and Protestants and by quarrels among
different Protestant traditions which led to
Division into Nonconformist Churches and sects.
Appearance at various times of non- Christian faiths, such as Judaism, and
groups with humanist and special beliefs.
Today, Britain possesses 170 religious denominations which have been
added to over the years, particularly in the c20th by immigrants and their
religions, such as Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism.
Continuing decline in religious observance, a largely secular country.
Secularization (the movement from sacred to worldly concerns and the
Enlightenments challenge to believe in God) is allegedly affecting most
faiths, particularly Christianity.
Affiliation to the Church of England is more apparent. Religious observance
to other faiths such as Roman Catholicism, Islam and Ultra-Orthodox
Judaism is actually increasing while Hinduism and Sikhism are relatively
stable.
Religion still remains a factor in national life, whether for believers or as a
background to the national culture reflected in an active adherence to
specific denominations, and in a general ethical and moral code of behaviour.
Formal adherence to a religious faith is proportionally greater in Wales,
Scotland and (particularly) Northern Ireland than in England.

RELIGIOUS HISTORY
Missionaries and monks in Ireland, a Gaelic variant of Roman Catholicism brought
from Rome had converted some of the pagan kings to Christianity around AD 300.
Much of Ireland was converted by AD 432 by St Patrick and other monks. Irish
missionaries spread Christianity to Wales, Scotland and northern England.
In AD 596-7 the Anglo- Saxon kings of Kent were further influenced by St Augustine
and other monks sent by the Pope Gregory, and who founded the ecclesiastical capital
of Canterbury in AD 597. Anglo-Saxon kings and church advisers and administrators
were able to control their kingdoms more efficiently and show an established
connection between church and state.
In AD 664 at the Synod (meeting) of Whitby all churches accept the Catholic form of
worship and practice after years of conflicts and divisions between Southern English
Christianity and Gaelic identification.
Christianity became a central and influential force in society and a part not only of
religious culture but of the administration, government and law. It was increasingly
accused of worldliness and materialism and thought to be corrupt and concerned with
politics rather than religion.
In 1529, Henry VIII argued that the King, not the Pope was the supreme legal authority
in the country and that the church and the courts owed their allegiance to him. In 1534
broke away from Rome and declared himself head of the Church of England. Two years
later he dissolved many monasteries and confiscated much of the churchs property. He
didnt still consider himself a Protestant and indeed defended the papacy against Martin
Luther in 1521.

RELIGION
The influence of the European Reformation meant that the English, Scottish and Wales
churches moved away from Rome and beliefs became more protestant.
In 1560 John Knox founded the separate Protestant Church of
Scotland. Meanwhile Ireland remained mostly catholic.
Conflicts between Catholics and Protestants began with violent
persecution. The protestant Elizabeth I (1558-1603) established the
protestant status of the Church of England. The doctrine was stated in
the 39 Articles of Faith and its forms of worship were contained in the
Book of Common Prayer.
During the 16th and 17th centuries some Protestants were of the view
that the church had not distanced itself enough from Rome and they
left to form their own religious organizations, initially called
Dissenters, they were later known as non- Conformists and today are
members of the Free Churches.
In 1660 After Cromwell's death, Charles II brings some religious
moderation. The Church of England solidified its dominant position
after the death of James II, the last English king to sympathize openly
with the Catholic cause.
- C18th and c19th see the appearance of other denominations:
The Methodists: stressed the emotional aspects of salvation and
religion.
The Evangelists: Based their faith on a literal interpretation of the
Bible and a humanitarian idealism. They accomplished many
industrial and social reforms in c19th Britain. Today the 'Low
Church' wing of the C of E is influenced by Evangelicalism.
The Baptists: Particularly strong in Wales, emphasized the C of E's
connections with Roman Catholicism. Today their influence is
represented by the Anglo-Catholic or 'High Church wing of the C
of E.
By the end of c 19th Judaism was scattered throughout Britain.
- C20th immigrants added further religions diversity: Islam, Hindus,
Sikhs, Pentecosta lists. The Evangelical movement continues to grow.
There is religion freedom in contemporary Britain. The Monarch must
be a member of the C of E. None of the churches is tied to a political
party. Surveys suggest that the traditional mainstream Christian
Churches have lost their ability to attract the young and need a more
contemporary image. The average age of Christian church-goers is
over seventy. People under fifty five tend to opt for more evangelical
forms of worship.
THE CHRISTIAN TRADITION
The Church of England (C of E)
- Based on an episcopal hierarchy.
- Divided into two provinces one under the Archbishop of Canterbury
(called the Primate of All England) who is the senior and the other
under the Archbishop of York who
- Together with 24 senior bishops sit in the House of Lords.
- Subdivided into 44 dioceses each under the control of a bishop.
- Divided into 13,000 parishes, most have a priest (called vicar or
rector). They occupy rent-free accommodation in a vicarage and have
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a small salary.
- The C of E is the third largest landowner in Britain (after the Crown
and the Forestry Commission). Assets estimated at 400 million are
administered by the Church Commissions.
- A variety of beliefs and practices coexist, that is to say, it is a 'Broad
Church'. There are two wings:
Elaborate ritual of the 'High Church, 20 % of the membership
Simple, functional presentation of the 'Low Church', 80 % of the
membership.
They not always cooperate happily. Some priests try to appeal to
younger generations. In deprived and inner-city areas their role
cannot easily be restricted to a purely religious one.
- 40 % of British population has been baptized. Only 5 % are later
confirmed.
- 1. 2 million people are formal member of the church. Weekly
attendance to Sunday service is less than 1 million people.
- Lay members are associated to the parochial church councils. These
send representatives to the local diocesan councils (or synods) to
discuss matters of common concern. The General Synod, the
general governing body of the church has spiritual, legislative and
administrative functions. They make decisions on subjects such as the
ordination of women priests (from 1994.) and their consecration as
bishops. There are now 1,262 full-time women priests (compared to
7,720 male clergy). Some part of the church is against it.
- Other area of inside conflict is the question of whether priests should
be openly gay or in practicing gay relationships.
- Today much of its members are middle-age and upper-class rural
based and ageing and it is identified with the ruling establishment
and the authority.
- As a worldwide community of churches it is known as the 'Anglican
Church' with some 90 million people.
The Church of Scotland. Commonly known as the Kirk.
- Founded in 1560 by John Knox.
- From 1707 is the official national Church of Scotland.
- Followed the teachings of Calvin and developed a rather severe form
of Presbyterian Protestantism.
- It has democratic structure.
- Governed by ordained ministers, including women, and elected
elders, lay members of the Church in the Kirk Session.
- The supreme organization, the General Assembly, meets every year,
under the presidency of a yearly- elected Moderator.
- Official membership around half a million (declining in age).
- Financial problems, difficulties with the acceptance of
homosexuality, struggling to maintain its relevance among younger
generations.
The Roman Catholic Church in Britain experienced much persecution
and discrimination for centuries after the Restauration. Today
Catholicism is widely practiced.
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- 8 Roman Catholic provinces in the UK each under the supervision of
an Archbishop.
- 30 dioceses under the control of a bishop each.
- Over 3,000 parishes.
-The head is the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster and the senior
lay Catholic is the Duke of Norfolk.
- Estimated 5 million nominal members of the Roman Catholic faith in
England and Wales (under 10 % of the population). Active participants
under 2 million. Regular weekly observance over a million which
makes it the single largest Christian Church in Britain.
- Its membership is centered on the urban working class, settlers of
Irish descendants (particularly in Liverpool), a few prominent upperclass families and middle-class people. In recent years it has been
strengthened by the arrival of migrants from Poland as well as others
from other EU countries.
- The Church emphasizes the important role of education for its
children, staffed by members like the Jesuits and the Marists, and it
also carries out social work such as nursing, hospital duties, child care
and looking after the elderly.
THE FREE CHURCHES
In general they dissented from some of the Church's theological
beliefs. They refused to accept the episcopal rule and most have
women ordained ministers. There are many different sects due to
schism and separation among themselves.
- Egalitarian beliefs reflected in the historical association between
political and religious dissent. Important in the formation of the
Labour Party and the radical wing of the old Liberal Party.
-Simple church services, worship and buildings.
- Strongest in Northern England, Wales, Northern Ireland and
Scotland.
- Membership historically derived from the working class.
Main Free Churches:
- The Methodist Church. The largest of the Free Churches with
267,257 membership (2007) and a community of 800,000 people who
have active connection.
Established in 1784 by John Wesley after C of Es opposition to his
evangelical views.
1760-1820 Major impact and influence upon the growing English
working class.
Some independent Methodist Churches still exist after the 1932
Union.
Total worldwide membership 15 million.
- The Baptist Church. Roots in post-Reformation c16th Netherlands.
Baptism by water is a cleansing symbol (they wished to purify the C of
E).
Membership of 145,000 and 2,150 churches. Worldwide fellowship 37
million.
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- The United Reformed Church (URC)
It's a union of old churches, with 100,000 members, 1,600
congregations and 800 ministers. All members collectively make
decisions through their local churches or congregations.
- The Salvation Army. International Christian evangelical movement.
It emphasizes saving souls through practical Christianity and social
concern. Founded by William Booth in 1865. Active membership
55,000. In 118 countries with a 2.5 million strength. It's an efficient
organization, and has canters nationwide to help the homeless, the
elderly, the abused, the poor, the sick and the needy. Its uniformed
members may be frequently seen in the streets singing, collecting
money, preaching and selling their magazine War Cry.
OTHER CHRISTIAN CHURCHES
-The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) founded in c 17th. No
ministers. Their individual beliefs can range widely and may include
influences from other religions. Their pacifism and social work are
influential. Membership in Britain 18,000; worldwide 305,000.
- Recent increase in 'enthusiastic' Christian churches. They emphasize
the miraculous and spiritual side of the New Testament rather than
dogma, sin and salvation. Fundamentalist evangelical groups like 7th
Day Adventists. From USA Jehovahs Witnesses, Mormon Church,
Christian Scientist, Spiritualists. Greek Orthodox Church.
THE NON- CHRISTIAN TRADITION. Mainly associated with immigrants.
The Jewish Community.
Came with the Norman Conquest or with the Romans. Expelled in the
c13th. The present community dates from mid-seventeenth century.
Composed of the original Sephardim (from Spain Portugal and North
Africa) and the subsequent majority Ashkenazim (from Germany and
Central Europe). Membership 267,000 2nd largest Jewish population
in Europe. The majority is Orthodox faith, with its main spokesman the
Chief Rabbi; the minority is Reform and Liberal groups. The majority
of British Jews live in London, traditionally in the East End. The
community has declined in the past 20 years due to disenchantment,
growing secularism, increased mixed marriages, emigration of young
Jews and low birth- rate.
Islam, Sikhism and Hinduism. Immigration particularly during the last
60 years. The number of practitioners is growing due to relatively high
birth- rate and conversions by young working non- whites and middleclass whites.
Muslims Some 2.4 million in 2010 estimates. Religious observance is
higher than in the general population. Origins in Pakistan, Bangladesh
as well as India, the Arab Countries, Cyprus, the Middle East and
Eastern Europe. The Islamic Cultural Centre and the Central Mosque in
London are the largest Muslim institutions in the West.
Hindus 1.5 million in 2007. Sikhs 500,000 in 2005. Various forms of
Buddhism around 152,000 in 2001.
It is estimated that non- Christian religions may amount to some 2
million active observers or practicing members. Nevertheless, 72% of
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the British population remains nominally Christian despite the growth
in the number of atheists and those who claim no denominational
identity. They have altered the religious face of British society,
influenced working conditions and become more vocal in expressing
their opinions on a range of matters.
COOPERATION AMONG THE FAITHS
-The early intolerance and bigotry of Christian denominations in
Britain have gradually mellowed after centuries of hostilities,
restrictions and repression. An Anglo- Roman Commission explores
points of possible unity. Tension continues in Northern Ireland.
- A clear growth of inter- faith and multi- faith bodies since 2000
indicates both a desire and a need for such cooperation in order to
solve some of Britain's current problems.
RELIGION IN SCHOOLS
- Non- denominational Christian religious education is legally
compulsory in state primary and secondary schools in England and
Wales (not in Scotland). The school day starts with an act of collective
worship. Religion lessons concentrate on Christianity but also include
other faiths.
Frequent proposals have been made that the legal compulsion in
religious education should be removed.
- 'Faith Schools' or religion- based schools, have long existed in Britain
and were promoted by the Labor government but it is argued that
they will lead to a 'balkanization of the society and an increase in
intolerance, as the experience in Northern Ireland illustrates.
ATTITUDES TO RELIGION (1) AND MORALITY (2)
(1) There 3 opposed positions on religious life:
- 1st position suggests falling levels of involvement with the main
Christian churches.
- 2nd position suggests a religious renewal in some churches and an
increase in the diversity of faiths.
- 3rd position suggests people still have religious beliefs (in God, sin, a
soul, heaven...) on a personal level; religion has become privatized
and fragmented.
(2) British Social Attitudes Survey 2000- 2001
- 52% pop. Believe in God
22% pop. Did not know
25% pop. Did not believe
Such results mean that people in modern Britain are becoming more
individualistic and less dependent upon church authorities, so they
adopt a more personal approach towards religion and no longer
automatically follow the lead of organized religion.
- Religion broadcasting on radio and TV attracts large audience
figures.
- Religion is also reflected in traditions, ceremonies and public or
national morality.
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- Religious leaders of all faiths publicly debate doctrine, social and
political matters.
The results of a Leeds University survey in 1997 show that lacking
traditional faith in conventional religion means more people appear to
put their trust in materialism, physical appearance, fashion, trends,
the celebrity circus and individualism. Nevertheless, there also seems
to be a longing for spirituality, particularly among the 18- 30 age
group. Some people believe in alternative spiritual disciplines like New
Age, mysticism, the paranormal, etc. and belong to smaller religious
groups such as Paganism, Wicca, and Spiritualism and so on.
About matters of personal morality and civic responsibility Britons
have strong views about right and wrong. The majority believe that
the following are morally wrong: hard drugs, scenes of explicit
violence on TV, adultery, pornography on the Internet and scientific
experiments on humans and animals. They have become more
tolerant of sex in films, homosexuality, and cohabitation outside
marriage, soft drugs, alternative lifestyles and euthanasia. Attitudes
to authority remain relatively conventional. Children should be taught
to respect honesty, good manners and others as well as to obey.
Negative attitudes to 'yob culture' and to teenage excess have
increased. More people now believe that one should follow one's
consciousness, even if it means breaking the law.