Religion and Society in Twentieth-Century Britain

Investigates the role of religion in British life from 600 AD. This is an introduction to religion and religious change in modern Britain. This book provides an account of religion in British society and culture between 1900 and 2000. It displays the diversity and richness of British religion.

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During the twentieth century, Britain turned from one of the most deeply religious nations of the world into one of the most secularised nations. This book provides the first comprehensive account of religion in British society and culture between 1900 and 2000. It traces how Christian puritanism and respectability framed the people amidst world wars, economic depressions, and social protest, and how until the 1950s religious revivals fostered mass enthusiasm. The 1960’s saw a sudden and dramatic change, triggered by the cultural revolutions of young people and women. This drift away from faith was followed by the appearance of religious militancy in the 1980s and 1990s.

With a focus on the themes of faith cultures, secularisation, religious militancy and the spiritual revolution of the New Age, this book uses people’s own experiences and the stories of the churches to display the diversity and richness of British religion. With examples from across the U.K.and across the religious traditions, this is the first coherent history of the religious experience of the British people during the last century.