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UK News

Church needs "historical revival" to keep white Britons

by Aaron James

Professor David Voas said Islam and black-majority churches are growing, whilst average Church of England attendance declines.

Whilst Muslims only made up 4.4% of the British population in 2011, they currently account for 10% of British births. This means that even if only half of these children follow Islam, they will still make up a significant proportion of Britain's religious community in several decades' time.

Mr Voas also says Christians from African-Caribbean backgrounds will also form a large part of Britain's religious adherents in years to come.

He told Premier's News Hour: "It's always possible things could turn round but it would require a historical revival, something that's really exceptional as opposed to variations on business as usual.

"Immigrants from Africa and elsewhere bring with them a real enthusiasm for worship, and of course want to maintain connections when they're in this country that mean church is a great place to find community."

"It's certainly not for what of trying or coming up with creative solutions. And in fairness, even the Church of England has been putting a lot of effort into new forms of church, fresh expressions, the Alpha programme to name just a few."

The Redeemed Christian Church of God, one example of the black-majority church, has founded 296 churches in the last five years according to surveys.

Church of England attendance has fallen by 41% from 1980 to 2012, according to research collected by Professor Voas.

Listen to Prof David Voas speaking to Premier's Marcus Jones on the News Hour:

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