Scotland considers allowing children to opt out of religious classes

Catholic school in Scotland. Photo: sces.org.uk

A new education bill is being discussed in Scotland that changes the rules on students’ participation in religious classes and collective prayer, reports Scottish Legal.

The Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) Bill was drafted after the incorporation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scottish law last summer. Article 14 of the Convention enshrines the child’s right to freedom of religion or belief.

According to the text of the bill, a child’s opinion will determine his or her participation in religious education: a parent will not be able to withdraw a child from religious classes against his or her will.

However, the National Secular Society (NSS) proposed amendments to the bill, saying that it should be amended to repeal mandatory RO.

The Scottish Government says that its bill will help “put its convention obligations beyond doubt.” However, the committee overseeing its implementation recommends that Scotland repeal the legislation mandating collective worship altogether.

As the UOJ has previously reported, in Scotland, praying against abortion even in one’s own home will soon become illegal.

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