Issues Today Volume 9: Relgion and Belief

Editor: Claire Owen
Publisher: Independence Educational Publishers
Price: As part of subscription only, £79.95 for one year
Cover: Paperback
Pages: 32
ISBN: 978 1 86168 431 8
Published: January 2008

Britain is a multi-faith society with many different religions currently being practised. A large proportion of the population claim to be Christian, yet only 7% of people go to church regularly, and attendance at a place of worship is falling across all religions. Meanwhile, people continue to debate about what part religion should play in our communities and schools. This book looks at the issues surrounding religious diversity and tolerance in Britain.

The information comes from a variety of sources, including government reports and statistics, newspapers and magazine articles, surveys and polls, academic research and literature from charities and lobby groups; articles have been tailored to an 11 to 14 age group. Additionally, at the end of each chapter is a page of activities relating to the articles and issues raised in that chapter.

Table of Contents

Chapter One: Relgious Beliefs

What is religion?, Faith: the statistics, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism, Religion in Britain, The Golden Rule, Religion and moral decline, Crisis of faith?, Activities.

Chapter Two: Religious Tolerance

Are Christians discriminated against?, Religious hate crime, Extremists battle for hearts and minds, Diversity and dialogue, Faith schools in Britain, Sneaking God into science by the back door, Religion does more harm than good?, Activities.

Key Facts

Glossary

Acknowledgements

Key Facts

• Many religions offer their followers answers to philosophical questions about topics such as how and why the universe came into existence, the purpose of life and the best way to live it, and what happens after death. (page 1)


• 62% of people surveyed by Ipsos MORI in 2006 believe that human nature by itself gives us an understanding of what is right and wrong, whereas 27% believe that people need religious teachings in order to understand what is right and wrong. (page 12)


• An overwhelming number of people believe that Britain is experiencing a moral decline according to a BBC/Com Res poll. (page 12)


• One in seven adults in the UK attends a Christian church each month. (pages 13-14)
• A new survey carried out by the BBC has revealed that 33% of Christians think that the way they are portrayed in the media amounts to discrimination. (page 16)


• Religious hate crimes happen when someone is attacked or threatened because of their religion or their beliefs. Although racial and religious hatred may seem very similar, the police and the courts may treat racial crimes differently to religious ones. (page 17)