Understanding Religion in the UK

Historical Context

The UK has a long history of Christianity. In a survey conducted in 2009, it was found that 70% of people in the UK identified as Christian. Other religions are represented but in smaller numbers:

  • Muslim: 4%
  • Hindu: 2%
  • Sikh: 1%
  • Jewish: Less than 0.5%
  • Buddhist: Less than 0.5%
  • Other religions: 2%
  • No religion: 21%

Freedom of Religion

In the UK, everyone has the right to choose their religion or to not practice any religion at all. This means you can follow any faith or none at all without fear.

Religious Buildings

You can find many different places of worship across the UK. Here are some examples:

  • Islamic mosques for Muslims
  • Hindu temples for Hindus
  • Jewish synagogues for Jews
  • Sikh gurdwaras for Sikhs
  • Buddhist temples for Buddhists

Christian Churches

In England, the Church of England is the national church. Here are some key points:

  • It is also known as the Anglican Church.
  • The monarch (the king or queen) is the head of the Church of England.
  • The Archbishop of Canterbury is the spiritual leader of this church.
  • The monarch usually selects the Archbishop, but often the choice is made by the Prime Minister and a special committee.

In Scotland, the national church is the Church of Scotland, which is a Presbyterian Church governed by ministers and elders.

In Wales and Northern Ireland, there is no established church. Other Protestant groups include Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, and Quakers. The largest Christian denomination is Roman Catholicism.

Patron Saints’ Days

Each part of the UK has a patron saint with a special day to celebrate:

  • 1 March: St David’s Day (Wales)
  • 17 March: St Patrick’s Day (Northern Ireland)
  • 23 April: St George’s Day (England)
  • 30 November: St Andrew’s Day (Scotland)

Only Scotland and Northern Ireland have official public holidays for their patron saints’ days. However, events and celebrations also occur in England and Wales.

Questions

Easy Level Questions

  1. What percentage of people in the UK identified as Christian in 2009?
    • A) 50%
    • B) 60%
    • C) 70%
    • D) 80%
  2. Which religion has the smallest percentage in the UK?
    • A) Hindu
    • B) Sikh
    • C) Jewish
    • D) Buddhist
  3. What is the official church of England?
    • A) Church of Scotland
    • B) Catholic Church
    • C) Church of England
    • D) Baptist Church
  4. What is the spiritual leader of the Church of England called?
    • A) Bishop
    • B) Moderator
    • C) Archbishop of Canterbury
    • D) Priest
  5. In which part of the UK is St David’s Day celebrated?
    • A) England
    • B) Wales
    • C) Scotland
    • D) Northern Ireland
  6. How many people identified as having no religion in the 2009 survey?
    • A) 10%
    • B) 15%
    • C) 20%
    • D) 21%
  7. What type of church is the Church of Scotland?
    • A) Catholic
    • B) Presbyterian
    • C) Anglican
    • D) Baptist
  8. Which of the following is a place of worship for Muslims?
    • A) Gurdwara
    • B) Temple
    • C) Mosque
    • D) Synagogue
  9. Who is the head of the Church of England?
    • A) The Prime Minister
    • B) The President
    • C) The Monarch
    • D) The Archbishop of Canterbury
  10. How is the Archbishop of Canterbury selected?
    • A) By the public vote
    • B) By the monarch alone
    • C) By the Prime Minister and a committee
    • D) By random selection

Medium Level Questions

  1. What percentage of the UK population identified as Muslim in 2009?
    • A) 3%
    • B) 4%
    • C) 5%
    • D) 6%
  2. Which church has bishops that sit in the House of Lords?
    • A) Church of Scotland
    • B) Church of England
    • C) Roman Catholic Church
    • D) Methodist Church
  3. Which day is celebrated as St Patrick’s Day?
    • A) 1 March
    • B) 17 March
    • C) 23 April
    • D) 30 November
  4. What is the role of the Moderator in the Church of Scotland?
    • A) Head of the church
    • B) Appointed for life
    • C) Appointed for one year
    • D) None of the above
  5. Which of the following is NOT a Protestant group in the UK?
    • A) Methodists
    • B) Quakers
    • C) Catholics
    • D) Baptists
  6. Where are events held to celebrate patron saint days?
    • A) Only in Scotland
    • B) Only in Northern Ireland
    • C) Across the UK
    • D) None of the above
  7. How many people in the UK identified as Hindu in 2009?
    • A) 1%
    • B) 2%
    • C) 3%
    • D) 4%
  8. Which church is known for its connection with the state in England?
    • A) Roman Catholic Church
    • B) Church of England
    • C) Church of Scotland
    • D) Baptist Church
  9. What type of church is the Anglican Church?
    • A) Catholic
    • B) Protestant
    • C) Orthodox
    • D) None of the above
  10. Where do you find Sikh places of worship?
  • A) Temples
  • B) Mosques
  • C) Gurdwaras
  • D) Churches

Hard Level Questions

  1. Who usually makes the choice for the Archbishop of Canterbury?
    • A) The Church alone
    • B) Monarch only
    • C) Prime Minister and a committee
    • D) Public election
  2. Which of the following is a characteristic of the Church of Scotland?
    • A) Governed by a single leader
    • B) Governed by ministers and elders
    • C) Has bishops in the House of Lords
    • D) None of the above
  3. In what year did the Church of England establish its link to the state?
    • A) 1500
    • B) 1530
    • C) 1534
    • D) 1600
  4. What is the significance of patron saints’ days?
    • A) They are public holidays for all
    • B) They celebrate the national saints of each country
    • C) They are only for Christians
    • D) They are ignored by most people
  5. What is the main duty of the Moderator in the Church of Scotland?
    • A) To govern the church
    • B) To represent the church for one year
    • C) To choose the Prime Minister
    • D) To select bishops
  6. What is the main difference between the Church of England and the Church of Scotland?
    • A) The Church of England is Catholic
    • B) The Church of Scotland is Presbyterian
    • C) The Church of England has no bishops
    • D) The Church of Scotland does not exist
  7. In which part of the UK is St Andrew’s Day celebrated?
    • A) England
    • B) Wales
    • C) Northern Ireland
    • D) Scotland
  8. What is the largest Christian denomination in the UK?
    • A) Anglican
    • B) Baptist
    • C) Roman Catholic
    • D) Methodist
  9. Which of the following countries has no established church?
    • A) England
    • B) Scotland
    • C) Northern Ireland
    • D) Wales
  10. How is the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland governed?
    • A) By a king
    • B) By members of the Church
    • C) By ministers and elders
    • D) By Parliament

Answers

Easy Level Answers

  1. C) 70%
  2. C) Jewish
  3. C) Church of England
  4. C) Archbishop of Canterbury
  5. B) Wales
  6. D) 21%
  7. B) Presbyterian
  8. C) Mosque
  9. C) The Monarch
  10. C) By the Prime Minister and a committee

Medium Level Answers

  1. B) 4%
  2. B) Church of England
  3. B) 17 March
  4. C) Appointed for one year
  5. C) Catholics
  6. C) Across the UK
  7. B) 2%
  8. B) Church of England
  9. B) Protestant
  10. C) Gurdwaras

Hard Level Answers

  1. C) Prime Minister and a committee
  2. B) Governed by ministers and elders
  3. C) 1534
  4. B) They celebrate the national saints of each country
  5. B) To represent the church for one year
  6. B) The Church of Scotland is Presbyterian
  7. D) Scotland
  8. C) Roman Catholic
  9. B) Scotland
  10. C) By ministers and elders