United Kingdom
Red Letter Christians gear up for UK launch
By Rosie Dawson — January 4, 2019
LONDON (RNS) — The evangelical group that has fought the Trump administration — and other evangelicals — on immigration and other social justice issues has struck a chord with British activists.
Church of England struggles to find its voice on Brexit
By Rosie Dawson — December 7, 2018
LONDON (RNS) — Calls are growing for Britain’s established church to somehow mark Britain’s departure from the EU, but the Anglican clergy is finding that its pro-Europe sentiments are at odds with its rank and file.
No longer the default, Church of England goes to battle in religious marketplace
By Catherine Pepinster — September 20, 2018
LONDON (RNS) — For the past two years the Church of England has committed itself to developing a strong presence online, with a particular target of attracting people who do not regularly go to church.
Defending Islam, gays and Blackpool, Brits oppose Franklin Graham’s UK visit
By Rosie Dawson — September 12, 2018
(RNS) — Blackpool’s two ministers to Parliament have also expressed their concern, with one suggesting that Graham’s comments amounted to 'hate speech.'
Labour Party legislator’s resignation increases unease for Britain’s Jews
By Catherine Pepinster — August 31, 2018
LONDON (RNS) — For generations of Jews, Britain has been a safe place to live, but now many Jews are feeling a deep unease about new evidence of anti-Semitism in the country and especially within the left-wing Labour Party.
Fighting intolerance, Ahmadi Muslims have won unlikely allies
By Aysha Khan — August 7, 2018
ALTON, United Kingdom (RNS) — Many Muslim groups say they've been shut out of religious freedom advocacy. But the persecuted Ahmadi community, which touts the motto 'Love for all, hatred for none,' has scored a different level of access.
Church of England goes cashless for worshippers’ contributions
By Catherine Pepinster — April 2, 2018
LONDON (RNS) — Contactless payment machines will first be used for funeral fees, wedding notices and, eventually, for the weekly offering to the collection.
Greggs’ portrayal of Jesus as a sausage roll echoes the Gospel of John, says biblical studies expert
By M J C Warren — November 18, 2017
(The Conversation) — Not unlike the current furor over Jesus the Sausage Roll, the Gospel of John depicts uproar and offense at Jesus being compared to food.
Biggest Christian festival in the UK decides to showcase some Islam too
By Catherine Pepinster — August 18, 2017
LONDON (RNS) — 'It is because we are Christian that we do this. Not because we want to dilute or deny our faith,' said Paul Northup, the festival's creative director.
Man charged with terrorism-related murder in London van attack
By Reuters — June 23, 2017
LONDON (Reuters) Darren Osborne, 47, is accused of plowing the rented vehicle into the group of worshippers in Finsbury Park in the early hours of Monday morning.
Van rams worshippers leaving London mosque; Prime minister calls it a ‘sickening’ terrorist attack
By Reuters — June 18, 2017
LONDON (Reuters) - Shortly after midnight, the rented vehicle swerved into a group of people leaving prayers at the Muslim Welfare House and the nearby Finsbury Park Mosque in north London, one of the biggest in the country, witnesses said.
Debate about Islam and security dominates British election
By Catherine Pepinster — June 7, 2017
LONDON (RNS) After three major terror attacks in as many months, Muslim leaders are under pressure to acknowledge a connection between their faith and jihadi violence, while the government is under pressure to take firm action.
Faith matters as UK votes on whether to remain in EU
By Arthur Keefer — June 23, 2016
(RNS) To 'Brexit' or not to 'Brexit'? Today's decision by British voters will have religious motivations for some, and religious implications for everyone.
British Muslim group criticized for rejecting Ahmadi Muslim sect
By Aysha Khan — April 8, 2016
(RNS) The Muslim Council of Britain's statement comes less than two weeks after a member of the persecuted sect was murdered in Scotland.
In Britain, a glut of anti-terrorism campaigns draws fans, detractors
By Trevor Grundy — August 14, 2015
CANTERBURY, England (RNS) The Quilliam Foundation's #NotAnotherBrother video on YouTube joins an increasingly crowded market of online counter-extremism campaigns in Britain. Is it #JustAnotherVideo?