Representatives of Scotland's religious communities came together to consider the role they wish to play in Scottish society.
At an interfaith conference a joint statement was agreed affirming the important contribution churches and faith groups make to our modern Scotland and their continued commitment to serving the communities of which they are a part. Representatives of the nine member churches of Action of Churches Together in Scotland (ACTS) were invited to participate.
The two-day event was held on 14-15 July 2014 at the Conforti Institute in Coatbridge, at the invitation of the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, with the support of ACTS and Interfaith Scotland. It followed a meeting earlier this year that identified the need for Scotland's religious communities to respond together to the place of faith in the Scottish Government's consultation on a proposed future written constitution.
Responding to issues raised in the debate on Scotland's future, delegates agreed the role of faith goes beyond the outcome of September's referendum. The General Secretary of ACTS gave presentations on the legal and constitutional implications as potentially affecting religious communities. Further discussions centred on the rights of religious freedom and diversity, as well as education, social justice, and the voice of religious communities in Scotland's civic society.
Click here for the statement agreed by the participants
Image © Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body – 2012. Licensed under the Open Scottish Parliament Licence v1.0.
Action of Churches Together in Scotland
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