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RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION & SECTARIANISM IN SCOTLAND: A BRIEF REVIEW OF EVIDENCE (2002-2004)
4. Research by Specific Policy Areas
Education
4.1 There are two main areas of work which relate to education and sectarianism. Firstly, there is the work of school and community education (the latter includes academic, community or specific support groups which work to combat sectarianism), and secondly there is the debate about the existence of Catholic schools.
4.2 The Scottish Executive Education Department held an anti- sectarianism conference in Dundee on April 26, 2004, where a number of papers and workshops were presented. Elinor Kelly and Tom Devine were among the key speakers. Kelly discussed the basis of open and closed views on religiosity and how this impacts on discrimination. Devine looked at the history behind the development of sectarianism and religious or ethnicity based discrimination. He argued that sectarianism is not at the same overt levels as the 1960/70s, although it can still exist in more discreet forms. Looking back on specific times of religious conflict he linked any resurgence of sectarianism to politics in Northern Ireland, social memory and the economical circumstances of the day. 8
4.3 The Education Department's anti sectarian resource for schools was also highlighted at this conference. This resource is currently at pilot stage and it draws on a range of initiatives and good practice in schools and the wider community. Nil By Mouth and Sense over Sectarianism are linked to such work.
4.4 In terms of more academic papers, a handful of these are available which look at the existence of Catholic schools. Papers by Finn (2003) and by Torrance (2004) discuss the positive and negative implications for society and political debates surrounding Catholic schools. They also raise the question of whether other denominational or religious schools should gain state funding to prevent discrimination escalating. Neither paper cited here agrees that Catholic schools are divisive.
Health (and links to employment)
4.5 The MRC Social and Public Health Sciences Unit (University of Glasgow) conducts various pieces of research, including a research programme on ethnicity and health. This programme includes work on Irish and Catholic health, religiosity and health, housing and health and the impact of racist and sectarian graffiti on health and social welfare.
4.6 Focusing on health and employment, Wells and Williams (2003) make a distinction between reporting of discrimination from a Protestant and Catholic viewpoint. They suggest that some Catholics don't report discrimination as there is little overt evidence, whereas Protestants were more likely to acknowledge discrimination against Catholics.
4.7 Another aspect of this programme looked at the role of public and social health and levels of graffiti among areas of Glasgow. Ellaway et al (2002) suggest from their initial findings that sectarian graffiti is more prominent that racist graffiti.
Crime and Justice
Elinor Kelly
4.8 From 2002 until 2004, Elinor Kelly has produced a number of papers which discuss various issues around sectarianism. An earlier piece of collaborative work with Graham on the murder study (which methodology was criticised by Steve Bruce and colleagues) is not within the remit of this report, however it is important to note in the wider academic debate on sectarianism.
4.9 One of the most relevant of the academic papers which Kelly has produced appeared in 'Scottish Affairs' in 2003, entitled 'Challenging Sectarianism in Scotland: The Prism of Racism'. Here she discusses various elements of the debate around sectarianism both in social and political contexts. As in other pieces of work she also refers to sectarian violence and criminal justice issues.
4.10 What is perhaps most interesting in this paper, is her comparison of sectarian violence and discrimination against the conflict caused by racial discrimination. She further goes on to say that procedures which are now in place to react against such racial intolerance, must be revisited and used in light of sectarianism among Catholic and Protestant groups and other faiths that suffer such discrimination. This is highlighted in other papers which she has produced along the more specific lines of hate crime.
Government Research
4.11 Currently, the Scottish Crime and Victimisation survey, commissioned by the Scottish Executive, includes questions on racial and religious incidents. Furthermore, there is a commitment from the Criminal Justice research branch to consider research into the various issues behind those cases deemed to be 'religiously aggravated' brought forward under recent criminal justice legislation.
Housing
4.12 Little research is known of that focuses on this area- unless in more generic issues concerning health (please see above) However, one historical paper which focuses on the debate surrounding whether or not municipal housing in the inter war and post war period was based on sectarian loyalties, has been produced by Paterson (2002). This research largely concludes that there is no evidence of such discrimination. Paterson was involved in working with Steve Bruce on the recent 'Sectarianism in Scotland' text.
Sport and Culture
4.13 Joseph Bradley has issued a number of papers on the issues of identity and how this is a mix of religion or religiosity, politics and social attitudes, which are often manifested through football allegiances. The majority of his earlier work was completed prior to this review. However, he has recently published 'Celtic Minded: Essays on Religion, Politics, Society and Football' (2004). This looks clearly at the culture, community and identity that have developed around Celtic FC.
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