The High Court will consider a challenge to the laws requiring faith-based Christian religious education (RE) and collective worship in schools in Northern Ireland today. A non-religious family is mounting the legal challenge arguing the exclusively Christian nature of RE and worship violates their human rights.
The case is being supported by Northern Ireland Humanists. It has been brought by a Belfast-based father and his child. Both have been granted anonymity by the Court. Lawyers for the family will argue that the privileged status of Christianity across the school system is discriminatory on the basis of religion or belief under the Human Rights Act. They will also highlight the lack of a meaningful educational alternative to Christian worship and RE.