The nationally representative survey, conducted by Whitestone Insight between the 31st July and 4th August 2024 indicates that only 67% of 18-24 year olds agree with the statement “Religious extremism poses a threat to British society”, compared to the national average of 81%. Concern over religious extremism was consistently high across all religious groups apart from Muslims.
The same research suggests that only two-thirds of younger religious Brits, under the age of 35, agree with “I think of myself as being British just as much as I identify with my chosen religious faith”, at just 59% for both 18-24 years and 25-34 years.
18-24 year olds were also 15% more likely than the national average to believe that politicians talking about faith is good. Similarly, they were the age group least likely to believe that we should not be talking about faith in public places. They were 10% less likely than the 65 plus group to agree that law and religion should be kept separate.
Charlotte Littlewood, senior research fellow of IIFL, says of the findings:
Gen Z is seemingly experiencing a faith revival, whilst results showed high levels of interfaith, faith tolerance and faith comprehension, it appears that increased religiosity amongst the youth is also leading to an increased emphasis of faith identity over national identity and holding less value for secularism.
Considering the diverse and multicultural societies we live in, a commitment to a joined identity and secular governance are a must if we are all to live together with tolerance and respect.
For any further information or commentary, please contact Dr Jake Scott, secretary for the Institute.
Dr Jake Scott
jake.scott@iifl.org.uk
Notes for editors:
- Whitestone Insight interviewed 2,279 UK adults online between 31st July and 4th August 2024. Data were weighted to be representative of all UK adults. Whitestone Insight is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.
- The survey included a booster sample of 215 Jews.
- Key statistics included:
- Christianity is having the lowest impact on its followers. When asked whether their faith had impacted their life the last four weeks Muslims reported the highest figures (84%), followed by Hindus (57%) and then Christians (37%).
- 87% of Muslims believe their faith to be the one true faith, followed by 49% of Hindus, 35% of Jews and just 26% of Christians.
- Jews feel the least free and least safe with respect to practising their religious beliefs at only 47% in agreement with this statement, a heavy contrast to 92% of Hindus, 69% of Muslims and 65% of Christians.
- Respondents of the Sikh, Jewish, Buddhist and other faiths were too small in number to draw statistically significant conclusions from.
- The data set for the June tracker can be found here.