MSP speaks out against forced prayer in schools

The National Secular Society has welcomed calls from a member of the Scottish Parliament to let children opt out of prayers in schools.

Last week, Scottish National Party MSP Emma Roddick (pictured) criticised Scotland's laws on religious observance (RO), which do not allow children to withdraw themselves from acts of worship.

State funded schools in Scotland are legally required to hold "community acts" which promote "the spiritual development of all members of the school's community". Non-denominational schools are "encouraged to draw upon" Christian traditions in RO.

While the law allows parents to withdraw their children from RO, there is no independent right of withdrawal for children, even when they are over 16.

During First Minister's Question Time, Roddick said: "Parents have always had the right to opt their children out, but pupils have no equivalent right, no matter their age, maturity or personal beliefs.

"In an increasingly secular and religiously diverse country, it is critical that young people of all faiths and none have their beliefs and choices respected at school".

In January the Scottish Government concluded a consultation into changes to RO, which would require parents to give "due weight" to a pupil's views when exercising their right of withdrawal.

Roddick highlighted how Scotland's Children and Young People's Commissioner has said these proposed changes "do not represent significant progress" towards compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), because they do not allow young people to independently opt out of RO.

Article 14 of the CRC enshrines a child's independent right to freedom of religion of belief.

The NSS also criticised the plans, saying that only requiring parents to give "due weight" to a pupil's views when exercising their right of withdrawal was "entirely misguided" and "unworkable". It said that Scotland should ultimately repeal RO laws, and introduce an independent right of withdrawal for all children while the laws remain in place.

The committee overseeing the CRC has repeatedly recommended laws mandating RO be repealed, most recently in 2023.

Scotland incorporated the CRC into Scots Law last year, creating a legal duty for public bodies to act in compliance with the convention.

In response, First Minister John Swinney said there are "a wide range of views on the topic, and ministers will consider them and decide on the way forward".

He added: "We will consider all the responses to the consultation and will publish an analysis in due course".

The 2022 Scottish census found the majority of Scots are non-religious, including 60% of children.

NSS head of campaigns Megan Manson said: "Emma Roddick is absolutely right to point out that the feeble changes to religious observance laws proposed by the Scottish Government are not enough to secure children's rights to freedom of religion or belief.

"The only way to guarantee this fundamental human right is to abolish these archaic and unnecessary laws. There is no justification for legally requiring religious worship in schools.

"While the laws remain in place, children should have complete freedom to withdraw themselves from RO".