Tags: Scotland
NSS urges Scottish Government to tackle governance failures concerning religion in schools
Posted: Tue, 10 Jan 2017
The National Secular Society has highlighted failures in the governance of Scottish schools, identifying a string of incidents where pupils have been exposed in schools to extreme religious views. Read More »
Scottish Government consults on religious observance, as poll shows majority favour reform
Posted: Thu, 05 Jan 2017
The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on religious observance, following a court case last year and a poll from The Times which found a majority in favour of change. Read More »
Call to found an Islamic faith school in Scotland ‘open to all’
Posted: Wed, 14 Dec 2016
An academic at the University of Edinburgh has called for the Scottish Government to open an Islamic faith school in response to the country's "multifaith and multicultural landscape". Read More »
Sabbath swimming campaign succeeds, thanks to islanders and secularists
Posted: Tue, 13 Dec 2016
Local campaigners have succeeded in their effort to secure funding to open a popular swimming pool on Sundays – denying the local council of their last pretext not to open it on the Sabbath. Read More »
Help stop sabbatarians spoiling Sunday swimming
Posted: Fri, 02 Dec 2016
The National Secular Society is appealing to the Great British public to help a fundraising effort to open a swimming pool on the Isle of Lewis on Sundays, which councillors are currently refusing to open on the Sabbath. Read More »
Scottish Government to consult on religious observance guidance
Posted: Mon, 07 Nov 2016
Campaigners in Scotland have agreed to "pause" their legal action on religious observance in Scottish schools, pending a consultation by the Scottish Government. Read More »
Scottish secularists challenge unelected church-appointees on Local Authority Education Committees
Posted: Thu, 13 Oct 2016
The Scottish Secular Society has launched a petition challenging the lack of democratic accountability in Local Authority Education Committees automatically including Church nominees. Read More »
New survey reveals Scots’ attitudes to religious symbols at work
Posted: Tue, 04 Oct 2016
The 2015 Scottish Social Attitudes Survey has found Scots to be increasingly accepting of ethnic and religious diversity, though many still have particular concerns about Islam. Read More »
Campaigns against school worship gain momentum in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Posted: Wed, 14 Sep 2016
The Humanist Society Scotland (HSS) has launched a judicial review against the Scottish Government following its refusal to allow sixth form pupils to opt themselves out of Religious Observance. Read More »
Scottish Anglicans move towards religious same-sex marriage
Posted: Wed, 15 Jun 2016
The Scottish Episcopal Church has paved the way towards allowing gay marriage, raising the prospect of a clash with the Church of England. Read More »
Religion-based Scottish education system needs to adapt to social change, say academics
Posted: Tue, 01 Mar 2016
A report into the influence of religion in Scottish law has said that Scotland's education system is out-of-step with society, despite progress in other areas in establishing rights for the non-religious. Read More »
SNP to host Muslim group whose staff member calls for prosecution of anyone who criticises Islam
Posted: Thu, 15 Oct 2015
A Muslim activist has boasted of plans to ban criticism of Islam, days before his organisation is due to appear at the SNP conference. Read More »
Holyrood ‘religious freedom’ group backed by organisation which 'heals the wounds of atheism’
Posted: Thu, 01 Oct 2015
Plans to set up a "religious pressure group" featuring creationist MSPs in the Scottish Parliament have come under fire from non-believers and minority faith groups. Read More »
University refuses to strip honorary degree from disgraced Cardinal O’Brien
Posted: Thu, 17 Sep 2015
St Andrew's University has rejected attempts to strip Cardinal Keith O'Brien of an honorary degree, despite his role in blocking an inquiry into sex abuse and his admission of sexual misconduct. Read More »
Alex Salmond: “I prefer people of faith to people of no faith”
Posted: Thu, 03 Sep 2015
The National Secular Society has criticised the former First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond for his "divisive rhetoric" after he stated that he prefers religious people to atheists or apostates. Read More »
Hundreds of students sign petition calling on their school to end Christian religious assemblies
Posted: Mon, 22 Jun 2015
In just three days over 300 students at a Scottish High School signed a petition against compulsory Christian assemblies. Read More »
Creationism blocked in Scottish science classes
Posted: Thu, 28 May 2015
The Scottish education minister has stated that creationism should not be taught in science classes in publicly-funded Scottish schools. Read More »
Creationism motion gains more support in Scottish Parliament
Posted: Thu, 29 Jan 2015
Two MSPs have offered formal support for a motion which calls for Scottish children to be made "aware of" creationist teaching. Read More »
Car park charges “threaten” Christians, according to church leaders
Posted: Wed, 14 Jan 2015
Christian groups have responded angrily to plans by Edinburgh Council to abolish free parking on Sunday mornings. Read More »
Glasgow University investigates impact and extent of religious privilege
Posted: Fri, 14 Nov 2014
Researchers in the history and law departments of Glasgow University are beginning a research project to map the historical and current religious privileges in Scotland's laws. Read More »
