England's Worldview

     England is a nation deeply rooted in Christian traditions but has also undergone significant cultural and ideological transformations over the past few decades. Today, the dominant worldview in England is increasingly secular, marked by a notable decline in organized religion and a rise in individualistic and humanistic values. While spiritual and religious minorities remain vibrant and active, the overarching cultural atmosphere reflects a worldview shaped by skepticism, empirical reasoning, and a focus on personal autonomy.

However, despite these changes, England and the broader United Kingdom still retain many Christian values and customs, suggesting that Christianity continues to underpin much of the nation's cultural and moral foundation.

Recent surveys indicate that most people in England no longer identify with any form of religion. A YouGov survey from 2020 found that more than half of Britons (55%) do not belong to any religion, while only 34% identify as Christian. These findings are echoed by Humanists UK, which has criticized census questions that may inflate religious affiliation by prompting respondents to tick religious boxes based on cultural background rather than active belief.

Many British citizens—particularly younger generations—are increasingly drawn to humanism. According to BibliU Course Materials, the concept of humanism is “directly related to the notion of reciprocity.” This idea, with roots in Confucian thought, suggests that people are naturally good and seek harmony in their interactions with others. Many in the younger generation place high value on scientific inquiry, personal freedom, and ethical responsibility, all of which are pursued independently of religious doctrine. Regarding death and the afterlife, many people within England’s secular majority are rejecting traditional religious concepts such as heaven and hell. According to the YouGov Death Study: Britons on life after death | YouGov, more than half the population does not believe in an afterlife. In this context, death is increasingly viewed as the end of consciousness, with meaning found in the legacy a person leaves behind rather than in spiritual continuation.

While secularism dominates, England is far from ideologically homogeneous. Its cultural landscape benefits from significant religious diversity. Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Judaism all have vibrant communities, particularly in major urban centers like London, Birmingham, and Manchester. In terms of public policy, England and the broader UK actively promote religious tolerance. Anti-discrimination laws safeguard freedom of religion, and many schools include Religious Education (RE) curricula that expose students to a wide range of religious and non-religious worldviews. However, some tensions remain. Secular groups have criticized the state’s continued support of faith-based schools, arguing that public education should not endorse religious doctrines. Conversely, members of religious minority communities sometimes feel marginalized in what they perceive to be an increasingly secular and indifferent society.

Despite the clear rise of secularism, Christianity continues to shape the moral and cultural foundations of English society in significant ways. Many of the country's legal systems, public holidays, social customs, and civic ceremonies remain rooted in Christian doctrine and tradition.

For example:

• Public holidays like Christmas and Easter are widely observed nationwide.
• The Church of England remains the established state church, and the British monarch still carries the title “Defender of the Faith.”
• Parliamentary proceedings often begin with Christian prayers, and bishops from the Church of England (known as the Lords Spiritual) sit in the House of Lords.
• Cultural practices such as church weddings, baptisms, and Christian funerals remain common—even among those who do not actively practice Christianity—due to their traditional and ceremonial significance.

These examples highlight how Christian values continue to exert cultural influence, even when religious belief itself is in decline.

England’s dominant worldview today is clearly secular and humanistic, emphasizing personal autonomy, rational thought, and ethical living independent of religious authority. Yet, the enduring influence of Christianity on English culture remains evident—from national holidays and legal frameworks to customs and ethical values. While many English citizens may not actively practice religion, Christian values still shape cultural norms and social expectations, revealing a complex interplay between belief and tradition. England also promotes religious tolerance and pluralism, although challenges persist in balancing the values of a secular majority with the rights and visibility of religious minorities.

In essence, England’s worldview is not simply secular or religious—it is a dynamic synthesis of both, evolving in response to modern values while remaining anchored in centuries-old traditions.