Religious diversity in Northern Ireland

Welcome to Cambridge House Grammar School

Religious diversity

Learning objectives

• To discover the meaning of religious diversity

• To establish the link between Comenius and religious diversity

• To identify religious diversity within the Northern Ireland context

What is religious diversity?

• The recognition of many different faith groups active in the same country

• Religious diversity is also referred to as ‘religious pluralism’

Is religious diversity worldwide?

• Religious diversity is a world wide notion and therefore effects every individual

• Religious diversity should be positive

Objectives of Comenius

• To develop an understanding of the diversity of European cultures and language

• To encourage students to be active European citizens

• Religious diversity links culture and language

Northern Ireland

• According to the 2001 Northern Ireland Census there are 119 identifiable religious groups present in Northern Ireland and a further 366 other denominations with less than ten followers

• Most of the religious groups are Christians of one kind or another, but the other main world religions are all present in this country

This pie chart represents the religions evident throughout our world

today

Northern Ireland

• Northern Ireland is traditionally seen as a Christian society made up almost exclusively of either Catholics or Protestants, but this has never been the total reality

• Ethnic and religious minorities in Northern Ireland have long seemed invisible, but now their presence is becoming much more evident and even celebrated

How does Northern Ireland encourage positive religious diversity?

School:• Many schools in Northern Ireland are

based on an integrated approach to education

• This develops a very clear understanding of religious diversity and prepares young people in being good citizens

Northern Ireland along with the rest of the UK and Ireland, includes Religious studies in its curriculum

Here are a number of comments made by Northern Ireland teenagers regarding the importance of Religious education:

‘If we study other religions, people can find out if what they are saying is going to offend someone’

‘It helps to learn how to interact with different faiths within our society’

‘It stops people thinking that their religion is the only way to get to God’

Northern Ireland along with the rest of the UK and Ireland, also includes Citizenship in its curriculum

This is a subject where young people explore and discuss issues in today’s society and are then challenged to become better citizens

Citizenship acts as one of three components of the GSCE subject ‘Learning for life and work’

This GCSE prepares the student for the challenges of life as well as gain a qualification

Citizenship resource

This is an activity for pupils to explore and discuss the journey they will make to school every day

Community:

The Northern Ireland Inter-faith forum (NIIFF) was formed in May of 2003 following discussions with members of the ethnic and religious communities in Northern Ireland

The forum provides a safe place for members of different faiths to meet

This group meets four times a year and is a way to create new friendships and the recognition of the

rich diversity of community and cultural life in Northern Ireland

Does religious diversity exist in Northern Ireland today?

• Through our presentation it is evident that schools and the wider community use religious diversity in a very positive way

• The project of Comenius is an excellent way of incorporating religious diversity with culture and language

We hope you enjoy your ‘Comenius’ experience with Cambridge House

Grammar School