Island churches oppose religious observance change 30/1/14
The Lewis Presbytery of the Church of Scotland (CoS) - the collective voice representing
the denomination’s churches on the island - has announced it is opposed to the CoS’s
controversial joint bid with humanists to change the law on religious observance
in schools.
The CoS and Humanist Society Scotland are collaborating to remove the legal reference
to “religious observance” in the Education Act.
They want it replaced it with by a new activity they call “time for reflection” as
a way of ensuring these events are not all about the Christian faith.
The CoS and Humanist Society Scotland made a joint submission to MSPs who are considering
a petition from Secular Scotland which wants school assemblies to be an opt-in activity,
instead of the present opt-out arrangements.
Concerned ministers and elders across Lewis debated the contentious move at a special
meeting of Presbytery today.
Following the forum, a Presbytery spokesman stressed it “wishes to dissociate itself
completely from the action taken by the Church and Society Council in making this
joint submission to the Public Petitions Committee calling for ‘Religious Observance’
in schools to be replaced with a ‘Time for Reflection,’ and for school chaplains
to have to agree first with the equality and diversity policy of a school, or local
educational authority, before being allowed access to a particular school.”
He added: “Presbytery also affirms that since the issue has not been discussed by
and agreed upon by a General Assembly, the substance of this submission does not
constitute the mind of the Church of Scotland as a whole.”
A statement said the Lewis Presbytery “strongly affirm its support for the place
of Christian principles within ‘Religious Observance’ in schools in the Western Isles
and throughout Scotland as contained within its Declaratory Articles which recognises
that as a national church, it is representative of the Christian faith of the Scottish
people; acknowledging its distinctive call and duty to bring the ordinances of religion
to the people in every parish of Scotland through a territorial ministry.”
It added: “The importance of Christian principles is acknowledged by the Presbytery
which recognises that it adds value to the life and educational experience of pupils:
a blessing, which under God’s hand, was experienced by previous generations, and
provided them with a distinctive religious and cultural bed-rock upon which to build
their lives.”
The statement said: “The Church and Society Council wish to see “a greater sense
of equality for all beliefs”, and have the view that “no one particular belief system
is valued over any other in Scottish education.”
“While wishing to cooperate with all who aim to promote society's well being, Presbytery
believes the characteristic, unique Christian truths of God's word and grace must
be adhered to especially, in the public place; and that where these are, society's
ultimate well-being is assured.