THE phrase "aggressive secularism" is increasingly used by people who fear religion is under threat.
In truth, however, secularity simply refers to the separation of religion from state: a situation that in fact creates the best environment for people of all faiths or none to practise their beliefs unhindered.
Secular Scotland's call for religious observance in schools to become an opt-in activity deserves to be considered in similar vein. The petition does not read as an attack on the practice of religious observance in schools per se, but a call to ensure all children's rights to be educated in a way that doesn't counter their own beliefs and values, faith-based or not.
Faith groups appear uncomfortable about the proposal, with the Church of Scotland arguing that religious observance "adds something unique and special to the whole education experience" and the Catholic Church saying it supports young people's "personal spiritual development". They also point out that parents already have the right to withdraw their children from religious observance.
However, given Secular Scotland's claim that only 39% of parents are aware of this right, one wonders if schools are doing enough to ensure parents are properly informed. The Government should investigate and, if necessary, take steps to ensure the law is complied with in schools. Meanwhile, Secular Scotland's argument that many parents prefer not to withdraw their children from lessons or assemblies for fear of stigmatising them seems reasonable.
Given our plurality of faiths, and the fact that a significant proportion of the population does not participate in acts of worship, we believe the Scottish Government should carefully consider the opt-in proposal, while examining whether the existing arrangements are sufficient to ensure that the rights of non-religious parents and their children are being respected.
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