Categories: History

A Brief Introduction to Religions in England

Religion found its beginnings in England through Christianity back in the 3^rd and 4^th centuries according to archaeological evidence of the period. Overall, the country is seen as religious in nature due to the wealth of religions within its borders and the fact that it is home to buildings and monuments like Stonehenge, the Angel of the North, Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral and Canterbury Cathedral. Today, England is home to a large number of religions which has made it one of the most diverse countries in the world.

Christianity

Still the most practiced religion in England, it is based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ as presented in the gospels and New Testament. Christianity found its beginnings back in the 3rd and 4th centuries when it was introduced by the Romans, and throughout the centuries it has taken on various forms including Anglicanism, Roman Catholicism, Methodism, and Eastern Orthodox.

Islam

The second biggest religion in England, its name means “submission to God.” The text of Islam is the Qur’an which its followers believe to be the word of God. While many believe this religion only arrived in England recently, there has actually been a lot contact between the English and Muslims through the centuries. To date, about 1.5 million people in England are Muslims.

Hinduism

Having been in England since the early 19th century, the majority of Hinduism followers live in London. Both the predominant and indigenous religion of India, it is referred to as “the eternal law” by its adherents. England has seen waves of its followers come to them from India, Uganda, and Sri Lanka, and it is also home to the Hindu temple at Neasden which is the largest in Europe, and the Bradford Lakshmi Narayan Hindu Temple.

Sikhism

One of the more recent religions to arrive in England, it was founded in 15th century Punjab, India and is based on the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and ten successive Sikh Gurus. Its principal beliefs are of faith and justice, and it advocates the pursuit of salvation through disciplined, personal meditation on the name and message of God. London is home to the largest Sikh temple outside India, the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha. Currently, over 330,000 Sikhism followers can be found within England’s borders.

Judaism

The most noticeable non-Christian religion in England until the 20th century, it is the Jewish expression of the covenantal relationship God developed with the Children of Israel. Jews first appeared in England during the Norman Conquests of 1066, and today the country has one of the largest populations of Jews and Jewish culture in the world.

Buddhism

Another religion to arrive in England fairly recently, Buddhism is a philosophy designed to help individuals end suffering and escape the cycle of suffering and rebirth. London’s Buddhist Society was founded in 1924, and the religion’s influence grew tremendously throughout the 20^th century. Currently there are over 144,000 Buddhists living in England.

The Bahá’í Faith

Founded in 19th century Persia, it found its beginnings in November 1845. The Bahá’í Faith emphasizes the spiritual unity of all humankind, and its view of humanity is that it is understood to be in a process of collective evolution. Its followers see need of the present as the time for gradual establishment of peace, justice and unity on a global scale. Today in England, Bahá’í communities can be found across the country.

Rastafari

This particular religious movement is currently taking England by storm, and it found its beginnings in a Christian culture in 1930s Jamaica. The Rastafari movement encompasses themes like the spiritual use of cannabis and the rejection of Western Society. The St Agnes Place in London contained a Rastafari place of worship until its occupants were evicted in 2006, but it continues to grow despite that.

Neopaganism

As a term it is used to describe a variety of modern religious movements which have over 250,000 followers in England today. Neopaganism movements range from the existence of gods and goddesses independent from the human mind and one another to ones where they are seen as distinct entities part of a greater unity such as “The One.

Many religions have come and gone from England over many centuries, but it all serves as proof of how much it has evolved over time. They all speak well of the country’s diversity, and it looks to embrace many other worthwhile religions in the future.