Key Takeaways:
- Recent opt-in surveys suggest a Christian resurgence among young adults in the UK, but surveys based on random samples do not support this narrative.
- Online opt-in surveys may be biased by "bogus respondents" and may not accurately represent the general population.
- Surveys based on random samples, such as the Labour Force Survey and the British Social Attitudes survey, show that Christian identity and practice are declining among young adults in Britain.
- The narrative of a religious revival in the UK appears to be receiving more attention than data and commentary challenging this narrative.
- Online opt-in surveys may produce especially misleading results for young adults, and may not be representative of the general population.
Introduction to the Christian Resurgence Narrative
The concept of a Christian resurgence among young adults in the United Kingdom has been a topic of discussion in recent years. Several online opt-in surveys have pointed to a growing number of young adults identifying as Christian and engaging in religious practices. However, this narrative may be misleading, as surveys based on random samples do not show clear evidence of a Christian revival. In this analysis, we will explore the results of recent opt-in surveys and compare them with the results of surveys based on random samples.
Online Opt-in Surveys and the Christian Resurgence Narrative
Online opt-in surveys have been widely reported in the media, with many stories highlighting the findings of surveys commissioned by Christian organizations. These surveys often show high levels of religious activity among young adults, with some finding that the share of 18- to 34-year-olds who are regular churchgoing Christians has more than tripled between 2018 and 2024. For example, a 2020 opt-in survey commissioned by Tearfund found that 18- to 34-year-olds were more likely than older adults to have watched or listened to an online worship service. Similarly, a 2021 opt-in survey commissioned by the Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer project found that 18- to 34-year-olds were twice as likely as adults 55 and older to pray at least once a month. However, it is essential to note that these surveys may be biased by "bogus respondents" who answer survey questions dishonestly.
Surveys Based on Random Samples: A Different Story
Surveys based on random samples, such as the Labour Force Survey and the British Social Attitudes survey, paint a different picture. These surveys show that Christian identity and practice are declining among young adults in Britain. For example, the Labour Force Survey found that 28% of 18- to 34-year-olds identified as Christian in summer 2025, down from 37% in early 2018. The British Social Attitudes survey also found no clear evidence of a Christian revival, with the share of young adults who are Christian churchgoers remaining at 6% in 2024, similar to the 8% found in 2018.
Critique of the Christian Revival Narrative
Critics, including social scientist David Voas, have questioned the claims of a Christian revival in Britain. Voas has noted that churchgoing rates have risen from the lows of the coronavirus pandemic but remain below pre-pandemic levels. Humanists UK has also called for The Quiet Revival study to be retracted, citing methodological concerns. However, the Bible Society stands by its results and has published its responses to methodological questions in a public document.
Why Survey Results Differ
Online opt-in surveys do not randomly recruit respondents, instead relying on methods such as online advertising, self-enrollment, and email lists. While survey firms try to make these samples reflect the general population, results from these surveys may be biased by "bogus respondents" who answer survey questions dishonestly. Recent studies have demonstrated that large language models can be easily programmed to take opt-in surveys, even using multiple personas that evade fraud detection methods employed by survey vendors. This has been described as an "existential threat" to the validity of results from online opt-in surveys.
Implications of the Findings
The findings of this analysis have significant implications for our understanding of the Christian resurgence narrative in the UK. The fact that online opt-in surveys may be biased and not representative of the general population suggests that the narrative of a Christian revival may be overstated. Furthermore, the decline of Christian identity and practice among young adults in Britain, as shown by surveys based on random samples, highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of the complex and multifaceted nature of religion in the UK.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while online opt-in surveys suggest a Christian resurgence among young adults in the UK, surveys based on random samples do not support this narrative. The findings of this analysis highlight the importance of considering the methodology used in surveys and the potential biases that may exist. By examining the results of both online opt-in surveys and surveys based on random samples, we can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the complex and multifaceted nature of religion in the UK. Ultimately, this analysis suggests that the narrative of a Christian revival in the UK may be overstated, and that a more nuanced understanding of the data is necessary to accurately understand the trends and patterns of religious identity and practice in the UK.
