"Religion or belief":identifying issues and priorities

Abstract

Non-legal solutionsAlthough the significance of the recent equalities legislation relating to religion was recognised by participants, non-legal solutions to the resolution of disputes concerning religion were also commended.Examples were given of effective negotiation taking place between equalities professionals and religious officials, lawyers and experts.Intractable conflicts are often the outcome rather than the starting point of disputes. 'Religious literacy'There was concern about the low level of knowledge about religion at all levels of society, and recognition that this can foster discrimination, as well as hinder attempts to understand and counter it.A comprehensive response would require changes in many sectors of society, including education, which is beyond the remit of the Commission.An improved knowledge of the place of religion and belief in British society is, however, relevant to the work of the Commission. Representation of religionState-religion relations in the UK reflect the legacy of a situation in which there were -and still are -established churches with formal and informal links to government.This legacy has strengths (for example, better channels of communication with religion, particularly churches, than some other European countries) and weaknesses (including representation and consultation which is skewed towards certain types of religion, especially those which resemble churches).Growing religious diversity in the UK makes it important to consider whether different forms of religion are being fairly consulted, represented and treated in an even-handed way. Good relationsThe Commission's objectives include the promotion of good relations.Religion is already widely recognised in research and policy to be relevant to this aim in four main ways:• Resource provision (for example, buildings, staff and networks).• Delivery of welfare, education and other social services.• Contributions to 'community cohesion'.• Potential partner in extended forms of participative governance.Several participants spoke of the dangers of 'using' religion as a tool to achieve policy objectives, and of distinguishing between 'good' and 'bad' forms of religion in terms of whether they promote the interests of the state or government policy.It was concluded that, in addition to the points above, it is important to recognise and v 'RELIGION OR BELIEF': IDENTIFYING ISSUES AND PRIORITIES preserve religion's ability to contribute to society as an agent of value commitment, moral and political critique, and social change. RisksConcerns about possible consequences of the new mandate for religion or belief were raised.Risks include:• Clashes between equality strands (for example, religion and sexual orientation).• Discrimination by and within religious communities.• Unfair treatment of secular and non-belief.• Causing intra-religious resentment by favouring some minority religious groups over others.• Alienating a majority Christian culture.• Curtailing religious freedom in the quest for equality and good relations.It was also recognised that there is a risk that the new equalities legislation, or at least the way it appears to be working in practice, will alienate religious groups from the Commission.Whether true or false, there is a perception among some that the equality project is antipathetic to religion. Opportunities• The current work to counter religious discrimination is timely and important in the context of historic discrimination (for example, anti-Semitism, sectarianism), and the current vulnerability of religious minorities in Europe.• There is an opportunity both to counter unequal treatment of religion, and to prevent unequal treatment by religious groups and individuals.• The mandate for religion or belief has a part to play in moving towards a more equal, diverse and tolerant society in which religious and secular groups and commitments are treated in an even-handed way.Emerging priorities for the Commission:1. Equality and discrimination • Introduce clearer definitions and measurements of equality of religion or belief.• Develop the evidence base on religion and belief discrimination, including by:o further analysis of existing datasets and studies, and o commissioning mixed-method research designed to gather new data on discrimination towards, and by, religious communities.• Monitor the working of religious discrimination case law.• Monitor and evaluate the impact of recent legislation relating to religion.• Monitor 'claims' -who is bringing cases?Are there patterns and regularities?• Monitor the working of the religious 'exemptions'. Understanding and representation of religion or belief in British society• Clarify definitions of 'religion' and 'belief', appropriate for different purposes.• Commission research (for example, a panel survey) which would be representative of the current forms of religious and possibly non-religious belief, and which could be utilised regularly to sample opinion on important issues.• Establish a 'bank' of scholars and authorities who have legitimacy in their own communities and organisations and can be called upon in dealing with questions and disputes.• Reflect on how to achieve better representation of religion or belief at state, regional and local levels. Good relations• Clarify how the Commission's role on religion or belief and good relations relates to that of existing governmental and non-governmental actors.• Review or undertake research which deepens understanding of the experiences of different religious minorities, their 'settlement' and 'claim-making' in Britain.• Review research which assesses 'what works' in terms of enhancing good relations between religious and secular constituencies.

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