Theos Think Tank

14/10/2026

What does the UK population really think about Christianity and Britishness?

From our polling and analysis, we identified 5 distinct groups, each with a different understanding of how national identity and Christianity relate. We’ve called them:

• Committed Separatists (34%)
• Cultural Separatists (16%)
• Values Integrationists (26%)
• Identity Integrationists (11%)
• Belief Integrationists (13%)

👉 Swipe through to find out more about each group. Which one do you relate to the most?

13/10/2026

What is "Christian nationalism"?

It’s a phrase we hear a lot but, unless we get precise in our definition, it’s not necessarily a helpful term.

The first step in our new research on Christian nationalism was defining the term more precisely. From there, we can start to measure it properly.

12/10/2026

Christian nationalism is a big topic in British politics right now. But there's an underlying problem: we don't all agree on what it means.

Our new research explores what the British public actually thinks about Christianity, national identity, and belonging.

We surveyed 1,765 UK adults and found a much more nuanced picture than a simple divide between supporters and opponents of "Christian nationalism". In fact, the findings suggest that Christian nationalism, in its strict sense, may be less widespread than many assume.

🔻 8% strongly agree that you need to be Christian to be truly British.
🔻 9% slightly agreed
🔻 1% believe that being Christian is the most important factor

Our analysis identified five distinct groups, each with a different understanding of how faith and national identity relate. What values motivate these different groups? And to what extent? How do these different groups relate to each other?

Find out more in Beyond “Christian nationalism”: Measuring attitudes to Christianity and Britishness today by Nick Spencer and Yinxuan Huang: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/research/2026/10/10/beyond-christian-nationalism-measuring-attitudes-to-christianity-and-britishness-today

Dr Nick Spencer and Dr Yinxuan Huang unpack our polling on Christianity and Britishness. 11/10/2026

09/10/2026

How can St George's Day bring us together?

Catch Chine McDonald - Author, speaker, broadcaster speaking alongside John Denham and Sunder Katwala in a conversation chaired by Bishop Martyn Snow.

🌐 Online webinar
🗓️ Monday October 26, 2026
🕣 6:00 PM

Find out more and reserve your place here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-st-georges-day-can-bring-us-together-tickets-2000151240202

A free webinar for church leaders on marking St George's Day as a moment of belonging, shared pride, and faith.

06/10/2026

05/10/2026

Last chance to attend The Return of the Common Good.

Join us at Southwark Cathedral on 22 October to hear from Prof. Mariana Mazzucato about economics, morality and human flourishing, the lecture will be followed by responses from Prof. Anna Rowlands and Hannah Rich.

🎟️ https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-return-of-the-common-good-tickets-1998495327322

01/10/2026

"Perhaps France can now stop pretending laïcité means religion has no role to play in its public life."

George Lapshynov explores Pope Leo XIV's recent visit to France and unpacks the tension within French secularism.

Read the full blog here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2026/10/01/leo-in-paris-at-the-limits-of-lacit

George Lapshynov explores Pope Leo XIV’s recent visit to France and unpacks the tension within French secularism. 01/10/2026

25/09/2026

Don't miss researcher, George Lapshynov, speaking at Welcome Conference 2026 on churches and refugee welcome.

🎟️ Find out more and book your place before Friday 25 September here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/welcome-conference-2026-tickets-1990646471182 Welcome Churches

Join us on 16-17 Oct to share stories of hope and celebrate the contribution refugees and people seeking asylum make to the UK Church!

24/09/2026

“From a crisis of trust, to a culture of encounter”

Our 2025 Annual Lecture with Andy Burnham was featured in The New York Times.

Read the full article by David Gibson here: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/16/opinion/britain-andy-burnham-catholic-church.html

Andy Burnham is in some ways a throwback to U.S. Catholic politicians of past decades. He might be a signpost for the future.

18/09/2026

📸 A few moments from a memorable evening with Westminster Abbey on Wednesday.

As part of our Theos at 20 event series and in collaboration with Westminster Abbey Institute, we gathered to reflect on the relationship between faith and democracy.

It was a delight to hear from our panel Dame Caroline Spelman, Vicky Fox, Revd Dr James Hawkey and Dr Nick Spencer in an insightful conversation chaired by Bloomsburg’s Mishal Husain. We explored the changing landscape of religion in politics and how faith can continue to contribute to public life for years to come.

Photography by Joshua Lelo.