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Christian nationalism in Britain driven by non-churchgoers, report finds

Theos thinktank identifies 'identity integrationists' as smallest group but most hostile to immigration and Islam

By LineZotpaper
Published
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A new report from the thinktank Theos has found that Christian nationalism in Britain is driven largely by people who rarely attend church and are more concerned with defending the country's Christian heritage than with religious practice. The group, termed 'identity integrationists', accounts for just 11% of respondents but holds strongly hostile views toward immigration and Islam.

The research, which surveyed attitudes toward Christianity and Britishness, identified five distinct groups within the UK. The smallest group, at 11% of respondents, most closely matched the profile of Christian nationalism. While 81% of this group identified as Christian, only 13% attended church weekly — barely above the national average of 11%. Less than a third (31%) prayed weekly, though 47% expressed interest in the Bible.

The group was strongly hostile to immigration and to Islam. Only 19% agreed that Christian values required welcoming and supporting asylum seekers, while just 30% supported the equal treatment of religions in public life.

In contrast, a second group dubbed 'belief integrationists' — representing 13% of respondents — showed higher levels of religious observance: 31% attended church weekly, 46% prayed weekly, and 62% expressed interest in the Bible. They were far more welcoming, with 48% agreeing that Christian values required supporting asylum seekers, and 63% supporting equal treatment of religions.

Despite the belief integrationists including the highest proportion of practising Christians, only 18% thought defending Britain's Christian culture and heritage was important for being Christian. Among the Christian nationalist group, that figure stood at 90%.

The findings come amid visible expressions of Christian nationalism in Britain, including a Unite the Kingdom rally in London in September 2025 where participants carried wooden crosses.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The report challenges assumptions that Christian nationalism is fuelled by devout churchgoers, revealing instead a culturally defensive movement among nominal Christians.
  • The findings have implications for immigration debate, interfaith relations, and the role of religion in British public life.
  • It highlights a divide between those who see Christianity as a cultural identity marker and those who practice it as a faith with ethical obligations toward outsiders.

Background

Christian nationalism — the belief that a country should be defined by its Christian identity and heritage — has become a topic of growing interest in the UK and elsewhere. The phenomenon often intersects with debates over immigration, secularism, and national identity. Theos, a religion and society thinktank, regularly surveys British attitudes to faith. This latest study segments the population into nuanced categories rather than treating Christian nationalists as a single bloc.

Key Perspectives

'Identity integrationists' (Christian nationalist group): They see Christianity primarily as a marker of British culture and heritage, and are sceptical of immigration and religious diversity. 'Belief integrationists' (more observant Christians): They prioritise faith practice and are more supportive of welcoming asylum seekers and equal treatment of all religions. Critics and researchers: The report suggests that conflating low-church-attendance Christian nationalism with genuine religious commitment may misrepresent both movements.

What to Watch

  • Whether political parties engage with or distance themselves from Christian nationalist rhetoric.
  • Future polling on immigration attitudes and religious identity in the UK.
  • Potential for further research comparing Christian nationalism in Britain with similar movements in Europe and the United States.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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