If the latest survey is to be believed, the only churchgoers in 30 years' time will be Sir Cliff Richard and Tony Blair. The Religious Trends report suggests that there will be fewer people attending churches than mosques by 2040, and that the Church of England will be in the red.
Is Britain a post-Christian society? And can it still be a Christian country if it becomes, as Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor put it last week, a God-free zone? I am not best placed to comment on faith matters, being a sort of moonlighting agnostic. But I am suspicious of any study that extrapolates the future by extending a straight line forward from the past. The report, published by Christian Research, assumes that half of all Muslims are active worshippers in mosques, and that they will continue to be. It is similarly simplistic about Christian worship and the figures have sparked an unholy row.
I am also suspicious of those who claim that Britain will cease to be a Christian country if average Sunday attendance passes some arbitrary threshold (at the moment 6.3 per cent of the population attend church on an average Sunday). Clerics like to believe that attendance is the same as faith, but I am not at all sure that it is. Secularists conclude that lack of faith makes Christianity a minority religion, and that we should rush to disestablish the Church of England. I am not so sure of that either.
The divine decline is indisputable. But it is not a recent phenomenon. In the early 18th century, the outlook for Christian worship was thought bleak despite the absence of Match of the Day and Nintendo Wii. There followed an unexpected boost from Methodist dissent, which lasted for about 100 years. Then from the late 19th century, churchgoing started on a decline that has been unbroken. Regular worshippers made up only 30 per cent of the population by 1900, down to 19 per cent in 1970 and 15 per cent in 1990.
Even at its peak, our Christianity seems to have had as much to do with pragmatism as faith. During the Victorian revival, it was useful to go to church, at least in the countryside, because the local squire was there. A few years ago Alasdair Crockett, of Nuffield College, Oxford, studying the religious census of 1851, found that the strongest correlation with churchgoing at that time was population density. Fewer than half of people in isolated rural areas went to church, until John Wesley's Methodist movement built chapels closer to them. In more densely populated communities, worship touched 90 per cent levels. But in the densest cities, where church spires were everywhere, attendance was lower.
Not being able to get to church easily was clearly a turn-off. But so, it seems, was not knowing or caring much for your neighbour. As communities weakened and the original fire-and-brimstone preachers faded, Methodism's decline was as dramatic as its rise. Even 100 years ago, rationality and the cities were the enemy of organised religion.
There is a fascinating debate to be had about cause and effect. But the only point I want to make is that being a Christian country has always been about more than belief in God and Sunday worship. In the 2001 census, seven in ten people described themselves as Christian, to the astonishment of many bishops; 22 per cent claimed to be still going to church at least once a year.
Britain is still a Christian landscape, dotted with spires. It is still a place of Christian ritual, where people go to churches to mark marriages and deaths. It still has some heroic pastors who help people cope through terrible times. These things are part of the fabric, but they are strangely absent from much of the debate about national identity.
I had not thought much about all of this until five years ago. My first child was a year old and my mother, who had always been a militant atheist, suggested I should start taking him to church. She thought he should “have the option” of being part of a religious tradition. I was stunned. My parents had reacted with detached amusement when I had flirted with churchgoing at the age of 13, a brief period that ended with my deciding that I could not be confirmed, because God would know that I didn't really believe the words I would have to speak. The vicar, I think, was floored by my pagan levels of superstition. My father, whose own father was a vicar, still sees religion primarily as device by which elites exercise power over the people. And I am inclined to agree.
Nevertheless, my mother had hit on something. I dutifully explored various churches. The first surprise was how much my son enjoyed the ritual, the kindness. The next surprise was how deeply the rhythm and the language resonated with me. The writers and composers of the best religious works can still sharpen the senses and infuse the spirit like nothing else. The hymns that we sang at school, the cadences of Bible stories, are part of my identity. What other identity can I have?
I have not sent my boy to a church school, but to a school that has hymns in assembly, as well as plenty of acknowledgement of other religions. If I don't expose him to that canon, what other can he have? I suspect there are many people who would regret the passing of the Church even if they never set foot in one. The Church of England is rather like the BBC, a beloved institution, mainly mush but with flashes of inspiration. Despite my criticisms of the trend projections, it may be that one day we will have to contemplate paying a church licence fee.
Like TV I may not use it often, but I'd pay for the option. Because it represents something precious, something that we take for granted, and which is presented as faith but is also about the national soul.
I love the mumbo jumbo i.e. ritual , of religion. But help me my unbelief.
ian cheese, london, uk
An another major omission from the debate on Christianity in the UK is the enormous amount of voluntary and community work undertaken by Christians in a wide variety of forms; often unseen and unpaid.
The impact on the social fabric of this country in this way is enormous.
Mike Nightingale, Southampton,
Belief in a Supreme Being does not imply support for the doctrine of organised religions which seems to be without provenance, and in part without morality or ethics. People enjoy singing and chanting together, look at the proms. What we need is more community, more goodness and less doctrine.
Keith, Rayleigh, England
In answer to Rob's question about what Christains believe... that Jesus is the son of God, that his death on the cross enables the forgiveness of our wrongs and that his resurrection opens the way to eternal life. Being a Christian is not about what we do (being religious) but about what we believe.
Mick, Herts, Herts
Contrary to popular belief, Christianity doesn't stand or fall with the Church of England and Catholicism. There are other churches out of the mainstream which are thriving and adding to their congregations on a weekly basis.
AB, London, UK
There is always tension if not conflict between Christianity & the state. They are separate but always interacting - see Michael Burleigh's books. Christianity is perfectly compatible with reason, but not shallow rationalism or reductionism.
Dave, Wrexham,
Its no good worrying to much about surveys and how the church is in decline, although this is quite sad. We must remember that God says in the Bible that He is building His Church,{ ie. people who become Christians and are born again} and He says even the gates of hell will not prevail against it.
Mrs Margaret Elward, Bridgend, Glam
The Bible is a history book which also teaches us the right way to live, loving all others who do no harm to others. Unfortunately, man is basically wicked and many have used all types of religions for their own greedy empowerment. Children who learn from an early age grow up to be better for it.
B J Deller, Marbella, Spain
dominic - I don't believe the crazy idea that an imaginary deity is going to "judge" anybody.
But if you believe it, well, I bet you're really worried about his judgement. We're all sinners. So tremble at the thought of what might be your fate.
Boy, I'm glad I don't have these problems.
alan, germany,
Bravo, Camilla! A very interesting piece.
Michael, London,
Even a casual look over our island history will show from the first century onwards a growing and thriving church revived and renewed time and time again to the benefit of the country.
that there is a direct link between the spiritual state of the church to the spiritual condition of the country.
Gerald Blezard, london, uk
"Cars and contraceptives are the great enemies of churchgoing. Cars because they destroy communities, contraceptives because they make viable a sexually promiscuous lifestyle."
Good, huh?
Andrew Milner, Karuizawa, Japan
Christianity is a major influence in our literary identity, if nothing else.Few believe the validity of Greek myths, but they are still used as a starting point for many ideas about what it means to be human(Oedipus etc).Something can still have huge value, even if you don't exactly believe in it.
Ollie, Sheffield, England
What would Britain be without the thousands of churches and cathedrals which dominate our skylines and equally draw thousands of tourists to the country? People forget that we have religion to thank for a lot of the long-running institutions which form the backbone of Britain.
Marie, Sunderland, UK
I find religious belief extraordinary as it defies all logic, yet some people accept it without ever thinking to ask who, where and why? Does it ever occur to people that "holy books" were written by men for the benefit of men and not by any gods.
lyn, Argyll,
Being a 'Christian' without going to church is not viable long term - even though some churches are off-putting. A lone individual, even a group, becomes detached from the historic faith & solipsistic. Some churches have done this, becoming absorbed into secular culture: they are declining rapidly.
Dave, Wrexham,
I am surprised people today still subscribe to the mumbo-jumbo that is religion. However, I can appreciate the works of art inspired by religion, & for that to happen one needs to be an atheist ,as T.S. Eliot said.
ian cheese, london, UK
I agree that being a churgoer does not make a Christian out of myself. It is important, though. To be a real Christian -according to the Bible's standard, I have to do more. British people and others of equally rich nations have put their faith and their confidence on their possessions. Rev 3.17-19
Ezequiel Franesi, Brasópolis / MG, Brazil
Until people accept that God is going to judge those who reject Him, because tbey reject Him, then 'doing religion' and 'attending church' will remain pointless for them.
dominic, Teddington, Middlesex, UK
Britain was a Pagan country, still is for a lot of people.
FMD, Chipping Norton, England
I agree that ritual is not religion. I recently attended a Russian Orthodox Easter service, and I was struck by how ritualistic it was. I identify with it culturally, and I was brought up Orthodox, but years ago I started going to a non-denominational church, which held much more meaning for me.
Maria, Medford, USA
Mrs Cavendish is very right in saying that Christianity is a big part of our identity, and of our civilisation! Without it, our culture and just everything would fall aprt. And: what would you like to replace it with??? There is no better religion, and no better civilisation.
G. Bonnet, Brugg, Switzerland
I do agree that being a churchgoer does not make a Christian out of myself, but the matter in England and other rich nations is that people place their faith and confidence on their possessions. I attend church every Sunday. But, I must do more than attend church. British people I have been with, do
Ezequeiel Franesi, Brasópolis / MG, Brazil
Firstly the British believe they are RICH, Secondly Jesus Christ came to preach The Good News to the poor and release the Oppressed. Isaish 61:1-2
Africa may be taken as a poor nation but what is left in England is The Church Of Africa because are the ones filling Worship Houses every Sunday.
Mathews TN, Stockport, England
Church attendance is not the point. Christianity in the Uk has migrated to a more internal, personal belief. Hymns and the sermon are often seen as irrelevant, because the language the church continues to use is opaque to most people.
michael clarke, kensington, uk
Church attendance is not merely about religious faith. A shared canon, music, holidays, and rituals are part of what knit a people together as one society and culture. When we lose that, we lose something of ourselves.
Scott Palmer, Indianapolis, USA
A Christian put simply is one who accepts Jesus Christ as the Son Of God and that he is Lord and Saviour over their lives! that is the basic principle! I'm the daughter of a Pastor! the church you guys talk about sounds like the roman catholic church with sounds like catholicism! not Christianity
Rebecca, Birmingham, UK
Please ppl visit and apostolic or pentecoatsal church! there is a big difference! the church is in fact the people! not the building! Christianity is a faith, its a lifestyle! if you are not living the life of christ in terms of your relationship with God then you are not a Christian!!
Rebecca, Birmingham, UK
I attended a C of E service last night. After the service, a small group of us were chatting together, and the topic drifted to how we were each members of a different minority group that the church had alienated in the 1960's. Our generation is now in charge, and the Church is growing again here.
Andrew, London, England
Cavendish's version of religion is precisely what is wrong about the C of E. Larkin summed it up "a vast moth-eaten musical brocade created to pretend we never die." What the C of E needs to do is get rid of its churches, its choirs, its statues, stained glass, vestments, and get back to basics.
Kevin Straw, Leicester,
I do not agree that the Church of England is a beloved institution. When I consider the disgraceful treatment the openly gay bishop, Gene Robinson, has received, together with the role of women in the Church, I see an archaic institution exempt from key aspects of equality legislation.
Des, Edinburgh,
Churches and denominations are basically different responses by different sorts of people to a revelation given over time. No denomination or church has a monopoly on the truth. It matters not whether you are a Catholic, Protestant or Orthodox, as long as Jesus Christ's Spirit lives in your heart.
Bob Ericson, Tewkesbury, Glos,
Of course children should be "exposed" to religion. But not indoctrinated.
I get great pleasure from reading or listening to the nonsense spouted by professional believers. It merely strengthens my atheism.
The most important thing is that children should be given the CHOICE - without pressure.
alan, germany,
Nicholas Lee, I'm not sure if your summation of what a christian is is entirely accurate. I would say a christian is someone who holds Christ up as the son of God who died for our sins and rose again to save mankind, and tries his hardest to be like christ. Regardless of all other belief and action.
Stuart, Southampton, UK
Like everyone else, I already pay a 'church licence' through tax relief for church repairs or government grants to restore historic buildings. As a non-Christian I don't use it and cannot even hire the church hall because my charitable interests and the common bigotries of churches conflict.
Stuart Hartill, Ramsey, Isle of Man,
Most of the colonial colleges in the US started out as religious seminaries. Then congress and the first ammendment cut financial ties between church and state. Many colleges responded by ditching theism in favor of state funds. Kevin, you could live off state coffers if you taught Nietzsche here.
Joseph, New York City, USA
Christainity is an absolute belief in god as creator, in the fact of Jesus being the son of god, and in the fact that all morals come from god. Just being moral and good is not enough to be a Christian. I think I am good and moral, but I don't believe in god. This means I am not a Christian.
Steve, Altrincham,
"Unfortunately, rationality is expected today, which leaves little room for faith without proof.
Annie, Woking, Surrey,"
Why is it unfortunate that people think rationally rather than irrationally? Surely that is a good thing.
James, Bristol, UK
Religion and Religious Ritual is not the same as Faith. So, just because you go to church, does not mean you are automatically a christian; just as lack of church attendance does not mean you are not a christian.
Kathryn, Belfast,
Religion is not going to go away in the U.K., but for the non-religious, we should be thankful that we have in Anglicanism something often so ambiguous, liberal, woolly, fudged and non-dogmatic rather than some fundamentalism, dark paganism, extremist sect or a cover for a Tsarist or communist state
McGinty, Glasgow, U.K.
To become a doctor or lawyer takes year s of study, to become a Christian one only has to decide in a split second, without ever opening and reading the good book,which I suspect most "Christians" never have.
iain rae, Tunbridge Wells, U.K.
ex-Bishop Carl Cooper of St David's Diocese, who you may recall was hounded by moralising clergy, now has a new job heading up Volunteer Services for Powys County Council. Hanging up your dog collar to roll up you sleeves and get stuck in may be the better way forward for practicing Christians
Boris, Belgravia, London
To Trevor from Sheffield, even satan believes in God!! That does not make you a Christian. What makes a person a Christian is someone who put God first and obey His teachings and commands. And that God is Jesus Christ. Christians rely on the saving grace of Jesus who is Lord and Saviour.
virginia, Brisbane, Australia
Church going among one particular age group in our area seems to be very strong. It is for those with children between the ages of 2 and 5 who want to get them into a good church school.
I even know people from other faiths who attend church simply to make use of this loophole.
Sanjay Mazumder, London, UK
Summary
My local Church in Wales is to do with religion and family interests. It is also to an extent territorial. Certain families attend others do not. It is a thing that you have always done but never discussed why you do it. The style of service is Victorian and still uses the same old books.
Colin, Llanddeusant, Rural Wales
The church is disliked because of the triumphalist arrogance of archbishops like Rowan W. Get the bishops out of the H of Lords where they kill progressive measures like the Right to Die. Their entitlement stinks in a modern democracy! They should stop pronouncing on moral questions. What a cheek!
David, London,
I consider myself Christian, by that, I believe in God and his authority. I believe who God is and I believe his teachings. I don't attend church anymore, though I used to when younger. I don't consider myself to be religious, I don't partake in any tradition or festivals.
Trevor, Sheffield,
'"What exactly do christians believe in?" asks Rob Green. There are probably as many answers to that question as there are Christians, but my short answer would be 'those who recognise Jesus Christ as an inspired moral teacher, and who attempt to follow his teachings in their daily lives".
Nicholas Lee, Windsor, UK
Surely you can keep English culture and values without having to buy any Anglican (or other) theology? You appear to like the culture but not the theology; very English! We can be (and are) decent, moral, tolerant, without God, Jesus, the Bible. If only we had more Humanists composers, though!
Alex Howard, Bristol, UK
i am Chinese senior teacher,i am fond of learning other languages so that i can get a deeper understand of my beloved Chinese and other languages such as English.
Since i began learning English,i found Christian was,has been taken a great part in western cultures.
Michael Johnson, Hebei, CHINA
Tom in Beijing: You may be leading your son down a dangerous path. Like Paul, he may be surprised by faith some day. And how exactly did you get through the baptism ceremony, lying to the vicar? I'm RC myself, but I imagine that you have to affirm the faith in some way in the C of E's ceremony.
MAR, Sarasota, FL, USA
I am glad to read Camilla's finding about the church. She is concentrating on the main stream churches which seems to be in decline. There are many churches that are growing and are flourishing. Where people experience God in a personal way and Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour.
John Daniel, Larbert, Scotland
Hi,
In German one has a precise definition of going to Church; Seelensorge. The care of your sole (not to be confused with the base of a shoe). The sermon of a vicar who basically works one day a week with the odd christianising, marriage or funeral is individual. Not speaking about Scientology but. In my opinion the church has not evolved to the needs of modern society. Looking through my window at the pointed church tower with a cross and a weather cock that does not move with the wind, I think.
Regards Dr Terence Hale
Terence Hale, zandvoort, Holland
An ex-landlord of mine & one of the most evil people I have ever known used church to excuse his actions against others & make him feel like a 'good' person. He is now a warden of one of the oldest parishes in the UK. Unfortunately he is not the only such person mis-using the church for absolution
Claire, Avranches,
I'm a Brit living overseas, have done for the past 18 years! Yet when I do visit the UK for 2 weeks every year, i am amazed at the about of times i am "witnessed to" ether I hear a ranting preacher or get passed a gospel track. Christians may be fewer but they are active.
shajjad, Cluj Napoca, Romania
I have just written my final year Theology dissertation on this topic and I have to say that it is very difficult to deny the decline of religious belief in Europe, particularly Christian belief. Unfortunately, rationality is expected today, which leaves little room for faith without proof.
Annie, Woking, Surrey,
The Bible is full of great stories, which are just that - stories. The minute you start deriving meaning and taking it literally is the minute you're in trouble. You might as well start worshipping C S Lewis or Conan Doyle. Knowledge of religion is good for kids, indoctrination into it isn't.
Dan X, Cardiff, Wales
- all the wars and death because of religion people killing people in gods name! and they keep on doing it - taking money and lives for what who where? how can they be so stupid ? it is obvious that education has failed if gullible naive people are conned into religions that manipulate and kill!
Dave, brighton, uk
At the risk of being severely mocked, may I point out that the Latin "religio" means "binding together"? The Romans saw religion primarily as an outward, communal observance that bound the nation together through common beliefs and ceremonies. That's still a valid point of view.
Tom Welsh, Basingstoke,
One acid test of whether you are a Christian or not, is does Jesus live in you. If not, then you are not in the kingdom of God. Jesus said that "You must be born again".
Christian culture, what is that? It is a place where we live as we please and falsely comfort ourselves that we are ok with God.
Gary, Burnley, UK
As a fully involved Roman Catholic I can only say, that the Church was started on first Pentecost Day when the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles and the Blessed Virgin Mary and to date every Pentecost is the Birthday of the Church. The Holy Spirit keeps the Church going.
Tom Krosing, Wembley, UK
"Churchgoing isn't always religious"? Shouldn't that be the other way around Camilla? There are many who are firmly Christian [or other] in belief, yet for many and various reasons don't, won't or can't attend church regularly. This doesn't stop them being 'religious' people.
S. Barraclough, Huddersfield, W. Yorkshire
A Christian society??
Britain isn't even a single society much less a christian one.
As to Christian values permeating into British culture you forget the fact that the Christian church in all its guises has been evolving and changing over time.
Russ, Glasgow,
Christian?
What exactly does that mean? What defines being a "Christian" as distinct from humanists , ordinary doubtful human beings , atheists or some other variation of the human condition?
What exactly do "christians" really believe in? Knowing that might help census accuracy next time.
Rob Green, Braintree, Essex
The Bible is accurate & offers unnending scientific, geograghical & historical proof. 10,000 of our top thinkers like Sir Isaac Newton spent two thirds of his life studying this amazing living oracle of Yahweh. Diffusion of light, rivers at the bottom of oceans & Currents for our navigation
Jas, Alders, UK
"My father, whose own father was a vicar, still sees religion primarily as device by which elites exercise power over the people."
Unfortunately, it is true. Governments have been using religion as a device to rule over people and this is the main cause of peoples turning their back to religion.
ebrahim khodadoost, ardebil, iran
Spot on. I am atheist - the only rational postion to take post-Enlightenment. But I am still culturally Christian and I will ensure that my son, who was baptized despite having two non-believing parents, grows up knowing the Bible stories - though I hope to God he never finds faith!
Tom Miller, Beijing,
It's not a bad thing to realise that Christian faith has helped the British nation to be kind and loving and good to a degree, but is it true? Did Jesus rise from the dead or not? This is the question you have to answer. Like the apostle Paul said, if he didn't then we are to be pitied above all men
Andrew Chapman, Newcastle upon Tyne, England
All people each have a spirit within them (or perhaps it is so organic to them that there is no way to distinguish the spirit within from the body even though both exist as part of the same person. The gospel of John, the most "theological" of the gospels says that God is "spirit", that's a connect.
John Burke, Santa Cruz, USA
"Religion primary as devise by which ELITES exercise power over people"--as opposed to what? Atheist secular progressives, Marxists, socialists, Nazis, fascists, liberals, conservatives, Global Warming gurus, scientists, academia, Hollywood or the media?
No wonder there are a few Christians left.
cathy hansen, ruckersville, virginia, USA
You miss something important: without SOME kind of expression, "faith" becomes, over time, a kind of feeling, imagination, unconnected to any kind of action. Church attendance may not be reliable, but anedotes are even less so. Can you name a better measure?
Marty, Baltimore, USA
In Germany, ten percent of your total income tax is levied additionally and paid to the church of your choice. But you can opt out. This has the excellent side-effect of encouraging people to come out from the woodwork and refuse to be counted. Maybe the UK should try it.
Rosemary, Germany,
Faith can be exercised without attendance at a recognized church and attendance doesn't equate with a meaningful faith. Camilla identifies a "national resonance" in the words and music of hymns and the cadence of liturgy that is separate from finding meaning in those words. Ritual is not religion.
Robey Jenkins, York, UK
A very good article that seems to grasp that Christanity in England is about more than regular overt worship. Like many British traditions it has permeated our culture over many centuries.
Gareth, London, UK
Cars and contraceptives are the great enemies of churchgoing. Cars because they destroy communities, contraceptives because they make viable a sexually promiscuous lifestyle.
Malcolm McLean, Bradford, UK
Being a atheist I think I will pay the church licence fee as well since it shows so clearly the rank hypocrisy of a religion given over to the god of money. This is not so much give to Ceasar what is Ceasars as take from Ceasar what ever you can....
kevin, Lincoln, UK