Theos (think tank)

Theos was launched in November 2006 with the support of the then Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, and the Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor. Its first Director was Paul Woolley. The think tank was founded one month after Richard Dawkins published “The God Delusion”, during the height of the 'New Atheism' movement in the United Kingdom, which sparked a renewed interest in religion in public debate.

Theos believes that religion is a significant force in public life and should have an active role in public debate. The think tank has openly opposed attempts to diminish and privatise faith, and has repeatedly argued that Christianity has played a seminal role in the formation of British, and Western, politics and ideas.[2] Theos believes faith is “not just important for human flourishing and the renewal of society, but that society can only truly flourish if faith is given the space to do so.”[3]

Opposing the idea that politicians ‘don’t do God’,[4] as famously stated by Alastair Campbell in 2003, Theos’ first major research report was titled ‘“Doing God”: A Future for Faith in the Public Space’ and was published on 1 November 2006. Dr Rowan Williams and Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor wrote the foreword to the report, stating that Theos encourages the “reassessment...of the importance of faith to individuals and society...by increasing public understanding of faith and its contribution to public life”.[5]

Theos has focused on finding creative ways to counter secularist and atheist arguments. As part of its “Rescuing Darwin” project, it commissioned the play "Mr Darwin's Tree" from the Christian playwright Murray Watts, to explore “Darwin's questions about his science, himself, God and suffering, creating an intimate portrait of the man, his life and his work.”[6][7] The think tank also donated £50 to the Atheist Bus Campaign in 2009, finding it a way to encourage people to consider the question of God.[8]

In its first years, the think tank produced reports on faith in areas of public life as diverse as sports,[9] multiculturalism,[10] Christmas,[11] and politics.[12] Its "Rescuing Darwin" project, which coincided with the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth, explored the extent and nature of evolutionary and non-evolutionary beliefs in the UK and their perceived relationship with theism and atheism.[13] The project included an essay on Darwinism and theism in modern Britain, an extended interview with philosopher Mary Midgley, a ‘spiritual biography’ of Charles Darwin, and two major independent research studies conducted by polling company Savanta (then ComRes) and ethnographic social research agency ESRO. [14][15][16][17]

In 2011, Elizabeth Oldfield became the Director of Theos, succeeding Paul Woolley. Under Oldfield’s leadership, Theos sought to promote informed and depolarised conversations about faith in society, with a focus on the belief that humans thrive in relationships of mutual dependence. Theos also expanded its network by collaborating with individuals from various fields, including academics, musicians, actors, and authors.

Continuing the earlier search for creative outlets and for ways in which to tell stories in different ways, the think tank launched two ongoing podcasts, ‘The Sacred’ and ‘Reading Our Times’, which serve as platforms for discussing faith and current issues.

In this second phase of its history, Theos continued to take a holistic approach to the study of faith and society, covering a wide range of areas. Some of the think tank's most impactful reports were on social issues, and most notably on the topics of community,[18][19] work,[20] and social innovation.[21] The research report "Religious London: Faith in a Global City" published in 2020 had a significant impact on the debate about the role of religion in public life.[22] Its findings were reported in The Guardian, BBC News, The Telegraph, The Times and The Independent, among others.[23][24]

Chine McDonald, a writer, broadcaster and public theologian, became the Director of Theos in January 2022, succeeding Elizabeth Oldfield. Prior to this role, she worked as a journalist and held communications and fundraising roles in various organisations, including Christian Aid. McDonald is also the author of the book God Is Not a White Man and regularly appears as a commentator on religion and ethics programs, including as a presenter of BBC Radio 4's “Thought for the Day.”[25][26][27]

In response to the 2021 Census results, which showed the Christian make-up of the UK dropped below 50% for the first time in history, Theos is now responding to the continued changing nature of faith and belief in the UK, seeking to articulate a proactive vision for human flourishing based on centuries of Christian wisdom.

Since 2022, Theos has published several notable works, including “The Nones: Who are they and what do they believe?”[28] and “A Torn Safety Net: How the Cost of Living Crisis Threatens Its Own Last Line of Defence”,[29] produced in partnership with the Church Urban Fund, with a joint foreword by former Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams and former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Live recording of The Sacred featuring Richard Ayoade and Lydia Fox, September 2019

The Sacred is a podcast produced by Theos, which is hosted by Elizabeth Oldfield, the former director of the think tank. The podcast explores the things people hold sacred in the broadest sense, including guests' deep principles or values to live by. The aim of the podcast is to create a forum for richer and more meaningful conversations, and to promote understanding, empathy and a model for more constructive public dialogue.[48]

The podcast has been releasing episodes since late 2017 and has featured a wide range of guests from various backgrounds, including academics, journalists, actors, musicians, and politicians. Some notable guests have included Justin Welby, Lord Charles Moore, Ash Sarkar, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, Dame Prue Leith, Sally Phillips, Richard Ayoade, Nick Cave, and Rainn Wilson.[49]

On 11 September 2019, Theos held a live podcast recording of The Sacred at Curzon Bloomsbury in London, featuring an interview with Richard Ayoade and Lydia Fox. After a break during the Covid-19 pandemic, the podcast has resumed its annual live podcast recordings as of April 2023, with an interview featuring guest Oliver Burkeman.[50]

Reading Our Times is a podcast produced by Theos and hosted by Nick Spencer. The podcast aims to explore the books and ideas that are shaping contemporary society and thinking, examining what these books have to say about the times we live in and about ourselves as human beings. The podcast seeks to introduce its audience to authors, books and ideas that can shed light on human nature and the world today.

The guests on the podcast are leading authors from across the anglosphere, who discuss a wide range of issues with the host, including meritocracy, justice, populism, human rights, the brain, liberalism, and religion.

Notable guests who have appeared on the podcast in the past include Thomas Piketty, Marilynne Robinson, Lord Jonathan Sumption, Michael Sandel, Margaret Macmillan, Charles Taylor, Minouche Shafik, Martin Rees, Rowan Williams, Iain McGilchrist, Maryanne Wolf, Alan Rusbridger, and Stefan Dercon.[51]

• Chine McDonald - Director - 2022 to present
• Paul Bickley - Head of Political Engagement - 2006 to present
• Nick Spencer - Senior Fellow - 2006 to present
• Madeleine Pennington - Head of Research - 2018 to present
• Elizabeth Oldfield - Head of The Sacred / former Director - 2011 to present
• Lizzie Harvey - Head of Content and Communications - 2018 to present

• Paul Woolley - former Director - 2006 to 2011
• Ben Ryan - former Head of Research - 2014 to 2019