Scotland Passes Law Letting Children Override Parents on Religious Education

Scotland Votes to Let Children Override Parents on Religious Education in Schools

The Scottish Parliament has passed a controversial bill that gives children the power to override their parents' decision to withdraw them from religious observance in schools.

The Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill passed its final vote at Holyrood by 66 votes to 51, with 7 abstentions. It will now receive Royal Assent and become Scottish law.

Under the new legislation, schools will be required to inform pupils when a parent or carer requests their withdrawal from religious observance. The child can then object, and the school must consider that objection before proceeding.

An amendment passed during the bill's progress separates religious observance from religious and moral education. Parents will retain the right to withdraw their child from religious observance only. It will no longer be possible for parents to withdraw children from religious and moral education classes entirely.

The Scottish Government argued the measures were needed to meet criteria set by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

John Denning, The Christian Institute's Head of Education, warned:

For the vast majority of children, the best action the State can take is to empower parents to fulfil their unique role. This approach not only undermines parents but forces teachers into the difficult position of taking sides with a child against their parents.

Reverend Stephen Miller, the Church of Scotland's education coordinator, said the bill does not "seem sensible or desirable in obtaining a harmonious solution." The Church of Scotland warned the proposals could "exacerbate" family tensions rather than resolve them.

Catholic bishops in Scotland had previously raised fears about how the bill would affect religious teaching in Catholic schools. An amendment also grants ministers the power to create a pupil opt out right in the future through secondary legislation, bypassing the need for another full bill in parliament.

Scottish Bill Strips Parental Rights Over Children's Religious Education

Critics argue the legislation misinterprets human rights conventions and introduces undue state interference in family matters. Government ministers must now issue statutory guidance involving consultation with denominational schools, local authorities, and representatives of teachers, parents, and pupils.

The Crusader's Opinion

Let us be clear about what just happened. The Scottish Government has told Christian parents that the state knows better than they do about their children's spiritual formation. A child can now be pitted against their own mother and father by the school system, with teachers forced to referee a family dispute the government itself created.

This is not about children's rights. This is about the slow, deliberate erosion of the Christian family. When the state inserts itself between parent and child on matters of faith, it is not protecting anyone. It is claiming authority it was never given.

Ask yourself: would any Scottish politician dare pass a law that overrides Muslim parents on their children's religious instruction? We already know the answer.

Take Action

• Contact your MSP and tell them you oppose state interference in parental rights over religious education. Find your MSP at parliament.scot/msps.
• Support The Christian Institute's work defending religious liberty and parental rights across the UK: www.christian.org.uk
• Speak with your church leaders about the implications of this bill for families in your congregation and discuss how to respond collectively.
• Support Christian families and persecuted believers through www.TheShepherdsShield.org
• Share this article with fellow believers and parents. The more Christians who know about this legislation, the stronger the pushback will be.