A non-religious father and his seven-year-old daughter in Northern Ireland are challenging laws requiring the teaching of Christianity and daily collective worship in the region’s schools.
Judicial review proceedings have been brought against the Department of Education (DoE) in relation to the core syllabus for religious education and collective worship in school.
The RE curriculum is defined by the DoE and the four main Christian churches in Northern Ireland. Parents are allowed to withdraw their child from part or all of RE or collective worship.
However, the applicants argued that the laws are focused on Christianity to the exclusion of other religions and beliefs, and are discriminatory on the basis of religion or belief under human rights legislation. Their lawyer has told the court that RE arrangements are incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights ‘because they lack pluralism and involve proselytising the Christian faith’.
‘Not neutral’
Ben Jaffey QC also told the court: ‘The education is not neutrally presented as merely learning about the Christian faith, but it is also seeking to promote and encourage in children Christian practice and Christian belief.’
If the challenge succeeds, changes to the laws may be required.