OPPOSITION to denominational schools in Scotland is dropping, with just over two out of five of the population against them.

The first major Social Attitudes Survey into sectarianism found 43 per cent of those asked opposed schools in the Catholic sector. But the number was down from 50 per cent in 2007.

According to the report, despite the eradication of institutionalised sectarianism, just under a quarter of Catholics still believe their faith stops them getting a job or promotion. Among Protestants the figure was 17 per cent.

The survey also found that despite plummeting figures for those who identify with any religious identity, more people consider themselves Protestant or Catholic than belong to any particular Christian church.

Commissioned by the Scottish Government and carried out by ScotCen Social Research with a team including Professor John Curtice, the report is intended to fill a gap in evidence with detailed information about attitudes towards sectarianism across the whole of the country.

It was unveiled alongside two other reports on sectarianism by communities minister Paul Wheelhouse and head of the Government's expert group on the issue, Dr Duncan Morrow.

It was revealed yesterday how in one of the survey's key findings, 88 per cent of those asked mentioned football as a catalyst while 55 per cent thought it was the main factor in sectarianism.

The reports have sparked a series of reactions, with the Catholic Church claiming certain causes of the problem were not addressed in solutions so far rolled out, with Dr Morrow calling for the authorities to act on the reports.

A Catholic Church spokesman said: "Anti-sectarian initiatives, by adopting a "one size fits all" approach, have not targeted specific behaviour.

"Funding for such work has never been made contingent on measurable improvements in the problem, which risks removing any incentive to succeed. Crucially, sectarianism existed in Scotland some centuries before the formation of any football clubs or the establishment of Catholic schools."

Mr Wheelhouse said: "This research also shows us that there is a gap between the perception of sectarianism and the reality of people's experiences, and this is something I know the advisory group will be considering in the coming weeks and months."

Anti-sectarian group Nil By Mouth welcomed the research, but renewed its call for Scottish football to introduce "strict liability", the UEFA standard for tackling offensive behaviour at games which has already been adopted by the English FA.

ScotCen said the 1,500 people surveyed were asked on a scale "How much do you support or oppose having some schools that are linked to a particular religious denomination, such as Roman Catholic?"

Catholics were more likely to support denominational schools, with 62 per cent in favour and 18 per cent opposed to them.

Elsewhere the survey found 14 per cent of people aid they had experienced some form of religious discrimination or exclusion at some point in their lives, from threats to non-invites to certain events. Catholics were more likely to say they had suffered discrimination.

A minority, around 14 per cent again, had thought twice about revealing their religion to others, many of whom had connections in Ireland.

Only between one and two per cent admitted they would be unhappy if a Catholic or Protestant married into their family, while five per cent or less do not know anyone of the other faith.

Professor Curtice said: "While sectarian chanting on the football terrace has been banned, nobody has as yet suggested banning football itself. But when it comes to some of the other aspects of Scottish life that are also widely thought to contribute to sectarianism it appears that banning or getting rid of them is just what many people in Scotland might be prepared to do.

"Any attempt at banning marches or getting rid of denominational schools would, of course, raise its own difficulties. Agreeing that sectarianism is a problem is one thing; finding a policy solution could well be quite another."