For the first time in Scotland, the majority of the population has no religion, and only 39 percent would call themselves Christians.
While many wonder how Scotland lost the faith, Christians, greater in number than a mere remnant, remain faithful. Some may predict a continuous decline in church attendance, but new evidence bolsters optimism for Christian Scots.
A national survey from Logos Scotland asked Christians about their participation in the church, experience in discipleship and training, and willingness to engage in public discourse.
Church attendance may have fallen dramatically since 1984, but Logos found that engagement is still incredibly high. Over 80 percent of Christian respondents say they go to their church at least one time each week—a level of commitment that is uncommon in many other countries.
The survey also showed that many Christians feel equipped and ready to share their faith with others, yet they believe that their fellow Christians are hesitant to do so. This perception gap may contribute to a wider silence of Christian voices in public discourse and stifle their freedom to joyfully share their faith.
From the earliest missionaries, such as Saint Ninian and Saint Columba, to the Scottish Reformation, Christianity has influenced Scotland’s moral framework and political institutions. Even as the nation grapples with evolving secular and pluralistic values, the legacy of Christian virtues undergirds the freedom and civility expected in public discourse.
Yet the public square becomes diminished if any one part of the vibrant fabric of Scottish society is self-censoring. Christian leaders are challenged to correct any misunderstandings within the broader church to promote engagement within local neighborhoods and in public spaces.
A supermajority of 71 percent of Christians report feeling equipped to discuss their beliefs with people of different religious or secular views. This is a significant finding in an era marked by reports of declining church attendance and waning Christian influence.
Across various denominations—Catholic (76%), Church of Scotland (74%), Free Church (71%), and Independent (51%)—Christians express confidence in their ability to articulate their faith.
The majority of Christians (57%) also feel equipped to speak about current issues from a biblical perspective. As commentators worry about the decline in biblical literacy, Christian Scots feel confident in their biblical viewpoints, even in the context of current issues capturing headlines.
There is a good amount of variation, however, across church affiliations. Congregants in the Church of Scotland feel the least equipped (50%) and Christians in the Free Church feel the most prepared (70%) to speak on issues affecting Scotland from a biblical perspective.
While Christians may feel equipped, they are not as confident when the potential for negative reactions is introduced. The survey indicates that 43 percent of Christians disagree with the notion that they are reluctant to speak about their faith due to fear of reprisal. Yet a significant number remain neutral or slightly agree, suggesting a nuanced hesitation when it comes to public expression.
This reluctance is more pronounced among certain denominations, with the Free Church members (39%) expressing the most hesitation and Catholics (28%) the least. Indeed, Catholics in Scotland are the most confident in speaking about their faith with others both in terms of feeling equipped and being less reluctant to self-censor due to fears of negative reactions.
The survey also found that Christians notice the reticence among fellow believers. In fact, 67 percent of Christians consider others to be reluctant to share their faith; fewer than 10 percent of Christians disagreed.
This is a surprising finding given that a majority of Christians feel individually equipped and only a minority are personally reluctant to speak about their faith. It may be that a self-fulfilling prophecy is at work.
Even if individuals feel confident, they may be less prone to speak about their faith if they believe others are reluctant. No one wants to be alone in speaking from one’s faith identity in public, and thus, a joint perception of others’ reluctance may paradoxically cause the most equipped and ready Christian to become individually reluctant.
Interestingly, non-Christians do not think Christians are reluctant to share their faith in public spaces. When non-Christian respondents were asked whether Scottish Christians were reluctant to share their faith in public, only 22 percent agreed that Christians were reluctant, and 42 percent disagreed.
Christians often view their peers as hesitant or ill-equipped, which may foster a sense of collective insecurity. The public square, therefore, risks becoming less vibrant if any group, including Christians, is self-censoring.
Christianity has profoundly shaped modern Scotland, leaving an indelible mark on its societal values and public discourse. The Scottish church has played an important role in developing the freedom and civility that undergird the public square.
But too few Christians avail themselves of these freedoms to enter public spaces and represent their faith-based identities. It is not that Christians are ill-prepared, but their very belief in others being reluctant leads to a general retreat from public thought and conversation.
Thankfully, leaders can use data to dismantle myths of timidity and biblical illiteracy across Scottish churches. Christians are able and ready to join conversations on important societal topics. May each congregation believe other churches are standing as faithful presences within their communities.
A necessary step in entering the public square is believing one is not alone. For centuries, Christians have boldly and joyfully engaged public discourse. It is time for Christians to reenter public spaces and trust that many more will follow.
Timothy W. Taylor is associate professor of politics and international relations at Wheaton College.
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