In Scotland, sectarianism is most often related to Protestant and Roman Catholic divisions within Christianity and the bigotry that manifests itself through abusive actions and words. The focus of this area is to encourage educational centres to tackle these divisions.
Definition of sectarianism
A person is sectarian if he or she ‘adheres in a bigoted or narrow-minded fashion to a sect or body of persons who have agreed upon particular doctrines or practices’. (Oxford English Dictionary)
Sectarianism can occur in different ways, and at an individual, group, cultural or institutional level.
PDF file: Three levels of prejudice (32 KB)Sectarianism can be displayed in:
- jokes and little asides
- name-calling
- chants and songs
- graffiti
- verbal abuse
- intimidation
- discrimination
- physical violence
- domestic violence
- murder.
Sectarianism can also relate to other religions, for example Sunni and Shia Muslims within Islam, and Orthodox and Reform Jews within Judaism.
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