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Listen
Faith
Johann Lamont MSP
Deputy Minister for Communities
Church and faith groups play an important role in communities across Scotland and have an influence which guides the moral and ethical views of many people. They play a significant role in building bridges between and within communities. The willingness among church and faith groups to work together is reflected in the positive role these groups have played in helping to build a Scotland of trust and understanding. But we cannot afford to be complacent and need to keep pushing to ensure that we achieve a truly harmonious Scotland of many faiths and beliefs. Within this we must recognise that the tensions that have historically existed between Christian groups in Scotland remain the oldest form of sectarianism our country has experienced and it is right that this should be the main focus of our work to tackle sectarianism.
Charitable and voluntary organisations, such as churches, are important vehicles for tackling sectarianism in communities. One of the key organisations that we work with, and provide core funding for, is the Scottish Inter Faith Council ( SIFC). SIFC promotes better understanding across faith communities and help develop links between the Scottish Executive and these communities. Through visits to church and faith communities across Scotland, the SIFC Development and Equalities Officers are supporting the development of better relations, the removal of barriers and the provision of opportunities for faith communities to share experiences and identify common ground.
But it is important to recognise that there are also many other small groups, local organisations and projects that are working to tackle sectarianism and to bridge the divide between disparate Christian communities in Scotland. Many of these groups work in isolation and bringing them together would help them to establish links with each other and develop a network of organisations which will help to ensure that the anti-sectarian message is getting through to communities across Scotland. The network will also help to identify and spread good ideas and initiatives.
We will work in partnership with the Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations to establish a network of anti-sectarian groups and will host annual meetings which will facilitate information sharing and the promotion of good practice.
(ACTION 9)
At the same time as developing better links between the Executive and faith communities, we also want to see those communities developing better links with local government. That is why we are working in partnership with Glasgow City Council to deliver a three-year inter-faith liaison officer pilot project to find a practical way of achieving this. The officer is based at St Mungo's Museum in Glasgow and aims to develop positive relationships between Glasgow's seven main faith groups, including the Christian churches, and the council. The project began at the end of 2004 and, if successful, this model could provide a template for inter-faith officers in every council area in Scotland.
As well as having a responsibility to link in to the grass roots of faith communities we also have a responsibility to maintain good working relationships with the leadership of those communities. The First Minister's regular meetings with representatives of Action for Churches Together in Scotland ( ACTS) provides an opportunity for him to meet with the leaders of the Christian churches in Scotland, including both the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and the Cardinal of the Catholic Church in Scotland, and discuss the ways in which they are working to tackle sectarianism and can help to deliver an inclusive Scotland.
The meetings with ACTS have proven to be very beneficial for all involved and the First Minister will meet with them on an annual basis to support the development of co-operative partnerships at the highest level.
(ACTION 10)
The Cardinal and the Moderator are both firmly committed to tackling sectarianism and are excellent role models for intra-Christian partnership working. One of the very positive initiatives to which they have both been central is the development of the Charter on the Principles of Religious Freedom. The Charter describes how followers of faiths should be able to practise their religious beliefs freely and commits the churches to making a strong statement about their respective rights to follow their own beliefs without discrimination and the rights of others to do the same. The Charter provides a strong anti-sectarian message from the highest levels of both churches and its adoption and implementation by both churches will help to promote respect and understanding.
In February 2005, we published the report Analysis of Religion in the 2001 Census which uses the most recent census information to explore the characteristics of each religion in Scotland. While this report does not represent a definitive analysis of religion, it does cover the key policy areas of housing, education, labour market and health to help increase understanding of the different faith communities living in Scotland today. Using comparisons which highlight differences both between and within different religious groups will help to focus our policies on areas where positive interventions will be most beneficial.
Intra-Christian sectarianism must also be placed in the broader context of other religious tensions which exist in Scotland. Breaking down barriers across all religious groups will have a beneficial impact on intra-Christian sectarianism and we are keen to work with young people with a range of different backgrounds and experiences - the world of work, universities, the Youth Parliament, Dialogue Youth, different faith and ethnic communities - to discuss issues around identity, what it means to be Scottish in 21st-century Scotland and how they can influence change through participation and in democratic processes.
In partnership with the National Union of Students Scotland and the Scottish Trades Union Congress Youth Committee we will hold a conference bringing young people together to discuss breaking down barriers and developing participation in present-day Scotland. Tackling sectarianism will be high on the agenda.
(ACTION 11)
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