The House of Lords held a debate yesterday on ‘interfaith’ dialogue, focussing on how to improve communication between religious groups to improve social cohesion but also covering ‘faith’ schools and the role of religion in politics.
There was much discussion about the role which religion should play in public life. Government Minister without Portfolio Baroness Warsi asked people to ‘pay tribute to the role of the established church and its Christian values in making Britain a welcoming and tolerant society.’ ‘Faith’ schools were also discussed, with several peers declaring their opposition to them because of their negative impact on community cohesion. Lord Mitchell called for more inclusive education, asking ‘How can a child from one faith understand a child from another if they never mix, play together or visit each other’s homes?’ Lord Haskel agreed that ‘publicly funded faith schools act as a barrier to dialogue and the Government should not encourage them’, and Leader of the Opposition Baroness Royall stated that she ‘wonder[ed] how closed institutions that educate children of one faith only can contribute to combating ignorance and lead to a more tolerant society in which the traditions of this country are honoured and respected’.
BHA Chief Executive Andrew Copson commented, ‘Rather than focussing on inter-religious activities in an institutional sense, government would do better to sponsor and promote initiates that bring people together regardless of religion in shared activities. By definition, the concept of “interfaith” dialogue excludes all of those who are non-religious or otherwise not an active participant in a religious community. There is always a danger that these dialogues will segue into an attempt to increase the general presence of religious groups in public life by promoting religion itself. Where it is warranted as a mechanism of furthering social cohesion, dialogue should in any case be between people of all different beliefs, not just those practising a religion. Otherwise, it will to be the pursuit of a small minority.’
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For further comment or information, contact Andrew Copson on 020 3675 0959.
Read about our work on government and ‘faith communities’ and ‘faith’ schools.
The British Humanist Association is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people who seek to live ethical and fulfilling lives on the basis of reason and humanity. It promotes a secular state and equal treatment in law and policy of everyone, regardless of religion or belief.