Why now?
Now is an important time to address this subject. Beyond the historical legacy, the recent Scottish census has indicated that religion is something that fewer and fewer Scots feel defines their identity. And yet, at the same time, the nation’s religious diversity gathers apace in ways that do not fit the traditional rubric of ‘Catholic’ and ‘Protestant’.
In light of this, and particularly in the face of pressing political change, fundamental debates about what it means to be Scottish remain prominent in public discourse. For this reason, a fresh assessment of where, how and even if religion fits in Scottish society is an important undertaking.