As the government-funded ‘Interfaith Week 2010’ begins, the British Humanist Association (BHA) has called for government approaches to community engagement to be inclusive of all, regardless of religion or belief. The BHA has criticised initiatives such as Interfaith Week because of their largely exclusive nature.
‘Interfaith Week’ is an initiative started under the Labour administration and has been continued and supported by the coalition government. The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) is part-funding the week and is working in partnership with the Inter Faith Network for the UK. The week runs from 21st to 27th November and is designed ‘to strengthen good inter faith relations at all levels’.
Naomi Phillips, BHA Head of Public Affairs, commented, ‘By funding interfaith week, the government is sending a clear message that they will continue with community initiatives which divide people along lines of belief. Many ‘interfaith’ groups and forums are highly exclusionary and have no representation of non-religious people. Moreover, non-religious people may feel uncomfortable participating in groups which, as the name suggests, are for ‘faith’ groups rather than humanists. Despite their exclusive nature, many interfaith bodies and representatives have access to policy and decision making processes at many levels, putting non-religious people at a real disadvantage.
‘Rather than promote ‘us and them’ policies encouraging divisions between people who are religious and those who are not, we would much rather see work which celebrates and encourages the contribution of all to civil society, regardless of their religion or belief. That is why we have encouraged our members to get involved in local events to make sure their voices are heard.’
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For further comment or information, contact Naomi Phillips, 02070793585
Read about our work on government and faith communities, interfaith week and local dialogue work.
The British Humanist Association is the national charity representing and supporting the interests of ethically concerned, non-religious people in the UK. It is the largest organisation in the UK campaigning for an end to religious privilege and to discrimination based on religion or belief, and for a secular state.