Motion
- Motion title
- Secularism - National Executive Committee
- Session
- 2008-2009
- Meeting link
- Annual Congress
- Meeting date
- 27 May 2009
- Status
- Passed
- Motion
- 8
- Motion text
Congress believes that universities and colleges should be predominantly secular in character, respecting the rights of those who practise a faith and those who do not:
They should make appropriate provision for religious observance by those staff and students who practise a faith, and they should provide secular space to respect the rights of those who do not.
To be inclusive, university and college ceremonies and public events should be secular in form.
Equality auditing in respect of religion and belief should include checking that the rights of non-believers are respected.
Congress supports academic freedom and the advancement of science. This must include the right to challenge and debate religious beliefs and to prioritise scientific explanations in the teaching of science.
Congress supports a comprehensive equality agenda. It does not accept religious belief as a justification for sexist or heterosexist behaviour or discrimination against disabled people.
- Proposing body
- National executive committee (NEC)
- Amended
- No
- Allocated to
- Equality committee
- Notes
Administrative info
- Listing reference
- 2009/C/05-27/026/8