ABSTRACT Ethnic harassment is a common experience among ethnic and religious minorities in the UK and can reduce wellbeing. However, previous research on ethnic minorities suggests that experiences of harassment could increase identification with religious minority groups, and that a strong religious identity may buffer against some of the negative effects of harassment. Using panel data from the UK Household Longitudinal Survey (2009–2021), we investigate whether people who experience ethnic harassment have a subsequent increase in religious identification or practice, and to what extent this affects their wellbeing. We find evidence for a religious buffering effect which reduces distress following ethnic harassment for Christians. Similarly, we observe an increase in religiosity among Christians, but not other religious groups following ethnic harassment. Finally, we examine whether stronger religious identification would increase the likelihood of harassment experiences, and find only partial evidence for this reverse effect.