Tags: Scotland
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 »
Complaint lodged after Scottish Parliament used to launch evangelical Christian manifesto
Posted: Tue, 03 Jun 2014
Secular campaigners in Scotland have lodged a formal complaint after the Scottish Parliament was used by an evangelical Christian group to launch a manifesto ahead of the Scottish independence referendum. Read More »
Scottish local authority plans to introduce discriminatory schools admissions policy
Posted: Mon, 19 May 2014
Falkirk Council has announced plans to change admissions policies for all its denominational (Roman Catholic) schools to ensure baptised children are given priority over other children. Read More »
Scottish Parliament challenged over 'Time for Reflection'
Posted: Tue, 06 May 2014
Campaigners in Scotland have called for the Scottish Parliament's weekly 'Time for Reflection' to be more representative of the diversity of religion and belief in Scotland. Read More »
Magazine raises potential conflict of interest in Scottish gay adoption charity decision
Posted: Wed, 02 Apr 2014
The Scottish Review, an on-line magazine for discussion of Scottish affairs, questions in its latest issue whether there may have been a conflict of interest in the controversial decision by the Scottish Charity Appeals Panel on St Margaret's Catholic Adoption Society. Read More »
Edinburgh secularists challenge religious privilege in Scotland’s education system
Posted: Thu, 16 Jan 2014
Edinburgh Secular Society (ESS) has presented its case for the removal of unelected religious representatives on local authority education committees to the Scottish Government's Petitions Committee. Read More »
Bill submitted to Scottish Parliament that would abolish religious representatives on education committees
Posted: Wed, 06 Nov 2013
An independent Member of the Scottish Parliament, John Finnie, has given his support to a campaign to remove the legal right of religious groups to vote on education matters on local council committees. Read More »
