The Commission on Religion and Belief in Public Life (CORAB) is coming to the University of Glasgow on Monday 13th April for an evidence hearing from over 30 distinguished members of the Scottish faith and belief sectors, as well as Scottish politicians, journalists and civic leaders.

The Commission have been touring the UK taking evidence at locations hosted by faith and belief organisations. Uniquely, co-hosting the event here is the Humanist Studies Hub, which includes academics in the Schools of Humanities and Law; the University will be the only place visited by the Commission where Humanist organisations are acting as hosts.

Professor Callum Brown, a professor of History in the School of Humanities, and Professor Jane Mair and Dr Thomas Green, both from the School of Law, will be making presentations to the Commission, but the bulk of the day will involve evidence being taken by the Commissioners. The University of Glasgow is delighted to be welcoming the Commission to Glasgow for its only day of taking evidence in Scotland. The Humanist Studies Hub in the School of Humanities is co-hosting the visit with the British Humanist Association and Humanist Society Scotland.

The Commission as a whole is chaired by Baroness Elizabeth Butler-Sloss, and the visiting commissioners will include Dr Edward Kessler, Revd Canon Dr Angus Ritchie, and Andrew Copson. The Commission has been convened by the Woolf Institute, Cambridge, to: 

  • Consider the place and role of religion and belief in contemporary Britain, and the significance of emerging trends and identities
  • Examine how ideas of Britishness and national identity may be inclusive of a range of religions and beliefs, and may in turn influence people's self-understanding
  • Explore how shared understandings of the common good may contribute to greater levels of mutual trust and collective action, and to a more harmonious society
  • Make recommendations for public life and policy.

Callum Brown says: "The University and the Schools of Humanities and Law are delighted to be welcoming so many distinguished visitors from the Scottish faith and belief communities, as well as Commissioners from outwith Scotland. This is bound to be a huge information day for the Commissioners, learning as much as they can about the distinctive religious and belief character of Scotland, including its History and the distinctive place of religion in Scots law."

Media enquiries: nick.wade@glasgow.ac.uk / 01413307126

First published: 13 April 2015

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Related links:

Prof Callum Brown

Secularisation and Humanist History blog