Opting out or opting in? Conscience clauses, minority belief communities and the possibility of inclusive Religious Education in Northern Ireland

Abstract

A recent research study has examined the role and effectiveness of conscience clauses as a means of protecting the freedom of religion and belief of members of minority faith communities in relation to the teaching of religious education (RE) in schools. While the specific context for this study related to young people from such communities in Northern Ireland, its implications have wider application to other national contexts. In this article, the principal focus is on the significance of the study for the content of, and approach to, RE in schools.

Keywords:

• religious education
• Northern Ireland
• minority belief communities
• opting out
• conscience clauses

Notes

This is an adapted and expanded version of a paper given at the International Seminar on religious education and Values (ISREV) Session XVII, at the Saint Paul University, Ottawa, Canada, July 2010.

1. The Catholic Church in Ireland; the Presbyterian Church in Ireland; the Church of Ireland (Anglican); and the Methodist Church in Ireland.

2. In the case of Leirvag v Norway (CCPR/C/82/D/1155/2003. Decision of 23 November 2004), however, the UN Human Rights Committee acknowledged that in relation to opt-outs there might well be ‘loyalty conflicts experienced by children’.

3. Award number AH/G016690/1.

4. A copy of the correspondence with the Department of Education was offered to the research team by the person making the Freedom of Information enquiry – a parent with children currently at post-primary school in Northern Ireland. The letter is quoted with the correspondent’s permission.