As an American, this is rather interesting to me. Americans fill their "God shaped hole" with either God, or with vaguely "God shaped" fillers (mostly "scientism" if "intellectuals" and "hedonism" if "sensualists").

If England takes it's identity from the CoE, then might Englandistan be near?

CAttila, San Francisco, USA

"it feels as if the soul of of Britian is dying" yet interest in religion outside the church is flourishing??. It is not the soul of Britian that is dying but simply the institution of the church is not keeping up because it refuses to change and grow.

Liz, swanage, Dorset

Then, Mike Poulsen, it's my prayer you'll see fewer strutting Christians, and more who display the majesty of Christ. "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him". (John 3:17)

Kim, Bath,

This may be a crisis for Britain, but not for Christianity. The decline of a form of religion that has moved away from the Bible, becoming more politicised and institutionalised – plus an intolerance to the church – will see more followers of Christ willing to give up much for their faith.

Kim, Bath,

Amen John of Durham.

The CofE is working to recover from past failings but is now so dominated by elderly congregations that it struggles to meet the needs of diverse communities.

Christian faith is growing! But takes a VERY different form, from what most have experienced.

Nathan, Inverness, UK

The article has it the wrong way round. Loss of religion is an effect, not a cause.

Too many 'christians'are so full of themselves and their own selfish existence that they don't have room or time for God and morals.

"And what shall we do now God is dying?"

Mike Poulsen, Reading, Berkshire

All the time the church ties itself to the latest government and voices anti British slander against parties like the BNP is it any wonder its falling apart ,
As seen recently in votes the BNP are growing quite rapidly and if the church wants to propel itself into the main society ,just be British.

Tony Winchester, Southend , G.B.

Christianity is alive and well in the Uk and many Christian churches are experiencing growth... but generally not the C of E. Part of the reason for this is the fact that the Church of England's leaders have often abandoned Biblical Christianity for a pale liberal imitation.

Andrew Brown, derby, UK

The C of E was only ever a device invented by the ruling classes for their own benefit.
That it will eventually "wither on the vine" without Goverment priveleges is axiomatic and a good thing too.
I fear the other "worlds great religions" artifically planted in the UK will be given "life support"

Peter Bolt, Redditch, UK

Since a soul is by defnition the immortal part of a being it doesn't die. And as a Scot I have no problem of identity. My passport is little more than an administrative necessity, not my nationality. My faith is my own belief, not a requirement to prove itself to others through religious practice.

KR, Stockport,

Organised religion in any form is just a clever salesman playing on human superstitions. It is to be welcomed that the vast majority are now finally seeing this brand of voodoo for what it is and dumping it.

Mikko, Drumnadrochit, Scotland

Working abroad in the middle and far east has made me see how much Britain, including our morales and laws, is influenced by the Anglican Church. We have become complacent and now only turn to the Church when ill, dying or tradgedy strikes. Christianity has more to offer.

Chris, Salisbury, UK

It's payback time for a lazy and apathetic Church that has/had no stomach to be the Established Church and has failed the nation..
If only Alan Sugar were in the Canterbury hotseat !

John, Durham, UK

What shape is God?

Tom Welsh, Basingstoke,

Secularism is not anti-religious. It just allows people a choice. If religion is dying (and I'm not sure it is) then it is because that is what people have chosen. There is no "systematic demolition" of religion. The Britain that is dying is being killed off because its citizens want it to be so.

Steve, Altrincham,

A God shaped hole at the heart of society? I hope so. I think there has always been a society shaped hole in the heart of God. Who is man made. So does not exist. Can someone please tell me why "rational beings" still teach this mythology in purported educational institutions? Power? Oh I see...

Brocken, London,

'The soul of Britain is dying'? Souls are, by there very nature, part of individual human beings. And if the vast majority of individual souls are rebelling against orthodox Christianity, then let nature take its course. Rejection of institutionalised Christianity is the real enlightenment.

Andrew, London, England

One can, of course, be interested in religion without believing in it. Presumably otherwise a 'Religion Correspondent' would be compelled to adhere to every faith (and none). Interest in a human institution is perfectly rational, whether or not one agrees with the underlying premiss.

John Scott, London,

What most secular peeps don't realise is that many christians simply "aren't on the books". Certainly, the explosion of american style churches in this country that agree with CofE in terms of theology but not in style, hides a great host of Christians that remain uncounted officially.

Colin Younge, Southampton,

Membership of the Church of England and the views of that same church have nothing to do with being British. They have to do with being English! And as an addendum to the West Lothian Question- Why should Anglican Bishops sit in the House of Lords and not Scots ministers?

George Manson, Elgin, Scotland

This will be the final nail in the coffin of Britain which has been systematically demolished since the 1960s. We will reap what we sow. Tremendous intolerance, huge government, lack of freedom of speech etc. will take over. The future is doomed for Britain without Christ.

David Thomas, North Wales, UK