BHA responds to Government’s interfaith strategy
The BHA has reacted with frustration at the Interfaith Strategy released by the Department for Communities and Local Government today. The strategy spells out the government’s plans for community cohesion initiatives based on dialogue and shared social action between those of different beliefs, but has little scope for allowing non-religious people to become involved in this work.
The BHA is concerned that specialist resources and support for ‘interfaith’ work does not take account of the good community cohesion work done by inclusive community groups, and may also widen the gap between religious and non-religious people in local communities.
Pepper Harow, BHA Local Campaigns Officer, stated, ‘The Commission for Integration and Cohesion specifically recommended dialogue between those who are religious and those who are not, but the government is just not acting on this. We do not think a priority focus on religion and religious groups is a useful, legitimate or proportionate way for government to promote social cohesion and social action – there are not many actively religious people in our communities and an approach based on religion can also be divisive. Instead, the government should be promoting inclusive activities for all the community, based on locality rather than on identity politics.
‘Although the strategy mentions non-religious people there are no specific plans as to how they can be included. The government continues to focus on religion rather than including all people who can add to the process. This excludes local humanist groups and local community groups who are not based on any particular religion or non-religious beliefs. It also excludes the BHA itself which, despite being on the Religion and Belief Consultative Group and the Equality and Diversity Forum, has not been invited to take part in the work leading up to this strategy.’
Notes
For further comment or information, please contact Pepper Harow, BHA Local Campaigns Officer, on 020 7462 4992
The BHA has recently undertaken a project which aimed to increase the level of community cohesion work undertaken by humanists and non-religious people at local level. Read a copy of the report here.
The British Humanist Association (BHA) is the national charity representing and supporting the non-religious and campaigns for an end to religious privilege and to discrimination based on religion or belief. It is the largest organisation in the UK working for a secular state.
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