Since the Church of Scotland Act 1921, the Church of Scotland has been independent from the state. The monarch of the United Kingdom does, however, take an oath to preserve the Church of Scotland at the meeting of the Privy Council immediately following his or her accession. [1] The monarch also has the right to attend the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, but usually sends a High Commissioner in his or her place. [1]
As of the 2011 census, Christianity was the largest religion in Scotland, chosen by 53.8% of the Scottish population identifying when asked: "What religion, religious denomination or body do you belong to?" This represented a decline from the 2001 figure of 65.1%. More recent polls of public opinion have shown that the majority today consider themselves non-religious. In 2017, the Scottish Social Attitudes Survey, conducted by ScotCen Social Research found that 58% of Scots identified themselves as non-religious, compared to 40% in 1999. [2] [3]
On 28 October 2021, the Scottish Parliament formed the Cross-Party Group on Freedom of Religion or Belief. At the time of forming, the group was represented by MSPs John Mason, Murdo Fraser, Jeremy Balfour, Stephen Kerr and Katy Clark. A number of non–political figures and organisations from across Scotland also collaborate with the group. [4] The groups purpose is to meet in order to discuss and consider how best to promote the freedom of religion or belief for any and all individuals and organisations across Scotland. [5]
Lawful rights
Article 9 of the Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment states that
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice or observance. Freedom to manifest one’s religion or beliefs shall be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of public safety, for the protection of public order, health or morals, or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others. This means that everyone is free to hold a range of views, beliefs and thoughts and to follow a religious faith. This right can never be restricted". [6]
The Scottish Government "value Scotland's diverse faith and belief communities and the important role they play in making Scotland a safer, stronger and more inclusive society". In order to promote this, the Scottish Government work in partnership with Interfaith Scotland to "promote interfaith dialogue and support faith and belief communities", Scotland's national Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration and Srebrenica Memorial Day to "ensure lessons are learnt about what can happen if hatred remains unchecked", undertake work in order to minimise instances of hate crime to "make sure no individual or community experiences discrimination due to their faith or belief", as well as the Scottish Governing funding a "variety of faith and belief organisations" in order to "tackle religious intolerance and promote equality and community cohesion".
Scots law
Bills and legislation
The following bills have been passed by the Scottish Parliament which have some, either wholly or in part, a relation to the freedom of religion and belief in Scotland:
- Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003
- Offences (Aggravation by Prejudice) (Scotland) Act 2009
- Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010
- Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012
See also
References
- ^ a b "The Monarchy Today > Queen and State > Queen and Church > Queen and the Church of Scotland". Archived from the original on December 2, 2010. Retrieved June 18, 2010.
- ^ "Religious affiliation in Scotland 'declines sharply'". BBC News. July 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
- ^ Scottish Social Attitudes survey 2016 – Religious identification tables ScotCen Social Research
- ^ "Cross-Party Group Annual Return" (PDF). www.parliament.scot. Scottish Parliament. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
- ^ "Freedom of Religion or Belief". www.parliament.scot. Scottish Parliament. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
- ^ "Article 9 Freedom of thought, conscience and religion". www.eqhria.scottishhumanrights.com. Scottish Human Rights Commission. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
