Northern Ireland poll reveals most parents want less church influence and a more inclusive approach to religion in schools
A new poll commissioned by Northern Ireland Humanists has revealed that most adults aged 18-54 – those most likely to have children currently in school – strongly support changing how religion is taught and practised in Northern Ireland’s classrooms. The poll was carried out by LucidTalk and explored three key issues: compulsory collective worship, Religious Education, and church involvement in school governance. The findings suggest that people across the board are unhappy with the dominant role Christianity still plays in schools. 72% didn’t know of the legal requirement for schools to hold daily Christian worship. 53% think ‘the requirement to provide a daily act of collective worship in schools should not be compulsory’, while just 34% think it should remain compulsory. Northern Ireland Humanists believes these findings show legislation is out of step with modern families, many of whom hold diverse religious or non-religious beliefs. Northern Ireland Humanists want inclusive assemblies for all instead, allowing pupils to gather without a requirement to participate in religious practices. The poll also asked what the focus of Religious …
