How Scotland’s Christians Feel About Their Place in Society: Logos Scotland Survey

Logos Scotland, a think tank founded by a group of like-minded Christians, recently published the results of a national survey conducted among the adult population of Scotland concerning Christian faith and public life.

Approximately 1,300 individuals participated, with 923 completing the full survey.

The primary goal of the survey was to assess how Christians feel about their faith’s place in politics and society. It aimed to explore how confident people of Christian faith felt in their private and public lives, whether they experienced prejudice or discrimination because of their faith, and whether they felt supported by the Scottish Government. To provide a broader societal perspective, the survey also included questions for non-Christians.

Both Christians and non-Christians were asked about their concerns regarding the criticism faced by Christian politicians and their views on the level of support the Scottish Government provides to Christians.

One of the notable findings was that Christians generally feel more confident expressing their faith in private settings, such as at home or with family and friends, than in public spaces like workplaces, schools or public services. Notably, Catholics reported the highest level of confidence in expressing their faith, followed by the members of the Church of Scotland, while members of the Free Church and independent churches showed more reluctance.

Catholics also felt the most equipped to discuss their faith with others, while other denominations also showed a high level of confidence.

The survey also highlighted a prevalent experience of prejudice among Christians, with nearly 70% encountering negative comments or attitudes. However, reports of more severe forms of discrimination were less common. This trend suggests that, while negative attitudes and comments are notable, extreme forms of discrimination are relatively rare.

Interestingly, there was a significant difference in perception between Christians and non-Christians regarding Christians’ treatment in public life. Many Christians felt they faced opposition and discrimination, whereas non-Christians largely disagreed.

A particularly intriguing finding was the shared concern among both Christians and non-Christians regarding the Scottish Government’s support for Christian values. Both Christians and non-Christians agreed that the government does not particularly support Christian principles; however, Christians strongly felt a lack of support, while non-Christians were more neutral, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

The treatment of Christian politicians was another significant area of disagreement. More than 75% of Christians expressed concern about the criticism faced by Christian politicians, while only a quarter of non-Christian respondents shared this concern.

The survey reveals a confident but cautious Christian community in Scotland. While many Christians feel confident in their personal expression of faith, there is a significant concern about the negative attitudes and potential discrimination they face in broader society.

For more information, you can read the full survey below. Hover over the bottom of the document to navigate to the next page.