Contemporary social policy with regard to religion

Contemporary social policy with regard to religion

Contemporary Approaches to Religion in Social Policy

• Social policies related to religion are greatly influenced by the principle of religious freedom, which is enshrined in various international human rights declarations and national constitutions.

• The UK government, for example, has policies to promote religious tolerance and multiculturalism, such as the Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006.

• However, social tensions may arise when particular religious practices (e.g. wearing religious symbols on public, faith-based schools) are seen as challenging social cohesion or equality.

Intersection of Religion and Education

• One area where social policy and religion interact significantly is in education. Many western societies have adopted a policy of ‘religious pluralism’ in schools, acknowledging and teaching about a variety of religions and faiths.

• However, there are ongoing debates about the place and role of religion in state-funded schools, with issues surrounding faith schools, compulsory Religious Education (RE), and collective worship.

• Davie points out that many faith schools in the UK are funded by the state but are allowed to give priority to applications from pupils of their faith, promoting religious segregation.

Religious Freedom and Discrimination

• Some modern social policies are aimed at preventing discrimination on grounds of religion or belief. For example, the Equality Act 2010 in the UK protects people from religious discrimination in the workplace and wider society.

• However, a tension can arise when adhering to religious beliefs might be seen as conflicting with other protected categories such as sexual orientation, leading to controversial legal cases and debates over ‘competing rights’.

Secularisation and Public Space

• Social policies also involve ongoing negotiations on the role of religion in public spaces. While some insist on the separation of church and state (secularisation), others advocate for recognition of religion as part of cultural heritage.

• Casanova argues that restrictions on public displays of religion can actually be a form of ‘excluding’ religion from public life and can lead to the ‘privatisation’ of faith.

Revision suggestion: Research specific examples of how these policies have been enacted or challenged in different societies. Make sure you understand the sociological theories and concepts related to social policy and religion, and link them to wider debates on secularisation, religious freedom, and discrimination.