Religion In School Questioned

A discussion needs to take place on the role of religion in Scots law.

That is according to the Humanist Society Scotland, who say beliefs influence much of the legal system North of the border, despite nearly half of Scots saying they don't associate with any religion.

The organisation has released the first part of a report on the subject, which focuses on education.

In 2014, Humanist Society Scotland commissioned three academics at the University of Glasgow to undertake an audit of the place of religion in Scots law.

HSS Chief Executive Gordon MacRae said: "This landmark report offers the first comprehensive review of the legal framework for religion in Scotland. This chapter comes a few weeks after the latest Scottish Household Survey found that 47%, nearly 1 in 2 people, in Scotland identify with no religion. Despite the Churches maintain a special status well in excess of their day to day role in people's lives. By presenting the cold hard facts we hope to generate a debate of how we create a modern society that reflects the diversity of beliefs in 21st Century Scotland.

"Today's chapter looks at the role of religion in schools and highlights that it is: 143 years since Protestant schools became state run non-denominational schools, 97 years since Catholic schools became state run denominational schools, 69 years since religious observance in non-denominational schools became law, and only 42 years since the law required local authorities eduction committee to include unelected seats for Church leaders on their Education Committee."