Religion & Belief and Discrimination

Discrimination with a focus on religious belief and religious difference is not a new phenomenon. For many years the West of Scotland has been characterised by sectarianism which continues today. Religious discrimination, and suspicion of religions, has come to the fore again due to a rise in Islamophobia - particularly after September 11th and the July 7 bombings in London.

In the past there was no specific protection against discrimination for most religious groups. There was, however, protection for people from Sikh and Jewish communities who were protected under the Race Relations Amendment Act as an ethnic group. Religion is often woven in with race and culture to form personal or group identity. Black/Minority ethnic communities, who can be on the outskirts of society, have often used religion to express and to sustain their identity.

There is now greater protection from religious discrimination through the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003. This act makes it unlawful, broadly, for an employer to discriminate against or harass a person on the basis of their religion or belief. (See also The Equality Act (2006))

There is still widespread ignorance and indifference towards religion and belief within health care settings. This mainly arises due to a lack of knowledge of a patient's or staff member's religion or belief and can result in unwitting discrimination. The NHS is striving to highlight the improtance of considering someone's religion or faith in the delivery of overall care.