Religion - Background

'People, and especially theologians, should try to familiarize themselves with scientific ideas. Of course, science is technical in many respects, but there are some very good books that try to set out some of the conceptual structure of science.'
John Polkinghorne, English physicist and priest who publicly championed the reconciliation of science and religion
 
According to the 2001 census, 76.8% of adults in the United Kingdom identified themselves as having a religious faith and over 170 distinct religions were counted. The population of the UK is one of the most religiously diverse in Europe and include Baha'is, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jains, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs and Zoroastrians.
 

2001 Census figures indicate:

  •  72% of the population of Britain stated their religion as Christian
  • Muslims were the largest religious group after Christians. This group comprised 3 per cent of the total population.
  • The other main religions in the UK, highlighted in the 2001 Census are Hindu, Sikh, Jewish and Buddhist.
 
A recent report into inter-faith bullying of young people found that the majority of young people are tolerant, interested in each other's religion and feel strongly about their own faith. The majority have never been bullied because of their faith or what they believe, their families encourage them to mix with young people from all religions and they feel comfortable discussing faith, religion and God with their peers, in schools and with their families. However the research also found that:
  • 23% report being bullied because of their faith
  • 9% have been bullied because of religious symbols they wear or present
  • 13% believe they were bullied because of religious stereotyping

It is important to ask young people if they have specific needs with regards to their religious beliefs. It might be that some industries are unacceptable due to a young person's faith. For example certain STEM related careers may not be suitable for some individuals. The most obvious sectors are the defence industry, brewery/alcohol production, stem-cell research and some areas of food production. However it is also important not to stereotype a young person and make assumptions based on their faith.

The interplay between gender, race and religion can lead to particular inequalities. For example, Muslim girls from Pakistani or Bangladeshi backgrounds may face particular barriers in entering a STEM career. It is  important to ensure that practitioners widen choice and raise aspiration for these groups.

See case study: Engineering Placements for further advice 

Quotes 

‘Engineering Islam was a really diverse and interesting event bringing together not only Muslims but also people from other religious backgrounds to work on challenging activities. The LEP, in cooperation with the Royal Academy of Engineering, coordinated the whole event brilliantly with guest speakers and SEAs from various disciplines. It was very encouraging to see youngsters with a flare for science successfully working in teams and enjoying themselves.’
Usman Saeed, LEP
 
'I'm a Quaker and for me that means being committed to peace, justice and equality. I therefore wouldn't work in a job that was connected to the military and the production of weapons. I tend to be interested in jobs that I believe may be of benefit to people, society and the environment'.
Anonymous, UK