Glossary

This glossary has been written to encourage debate and discussion.

It has been written from a Scottish perspective. This means terms used within Scotland may not have equivalent meaning when transferred to another part of the world. It has also to be remembered that terms are evolving and developing all the time and what is offered here reflects the discussions as it stands when this was written in June 2004.

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Glossary of terms
Sceptic	Someone who questions or doubts accepted opinions or information.
Sect	Any definable sub-group in a religion, although often used with a negative connotation.
Sectarianism (cultural)	This refers to the range of sub-cultures that are around within communities, workplaces and society. Certain norms, behaviours and attitudes are expected and those following such norms are positively endorsed. Those that do not or are seen as 'not belonging' are treated negatively and often perceived as inferior. Therefore cultural sectarianism will develop its own values and markers as to who is included and who is excluded based on your faith and belief. Cultural sectarianism takes place when the powerful or majority faith/denomination or belief group imposes its patterns, assumptions and values on others often in a manner that many do not even notice. This becomes the 'common-sense culture' taken for granted as part of everyday life. An example would be a workplace that is predominantly one denomination, which organises activities and develops banter/chat which draws from that denomination.
Sectarianism (institutional)	The term 'institutional sectarianism' has never really been defined. It might be helpful to reflect on the definition of 'institutional racism' now used across the UK derived from the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry Report. They defined it as: 'Institutional racism is the collective failure of an organisation to provide an appropriate and professional service to people because of their colour, culture, or ethnic origin. It can be seen or detected in processes, attitudes and behaviour which amount to discrimination through unwitting prejudice, ignorance, thoughtlessness and racist stereotyping which disadvantage minority ethnic people. It persists because of the failure of the organisation openly and adequately to recognise and address its existence and causes by policy, example and leadership.' Therefore it could be said that 'institutional sectarianism' is when an organization fails to provide an appropriate and professional service to people because of their beliefs and faiths. This can be evidenced through institutional attitudes, behaviour and practices. For example, An example of institutional sectarianism would be an organisation that refuses to acknowledge that sectarianism can occur within it's workplace and takes no action to address the issue.
Sectarianism (personal)	This refers to the negative/antagonistic thoughts, feelings and actions which occur at an individual level. Personal forms of sectarianism can have a significant effect on reproducing inequalities particularly if the individual concerned is in a position of power e.g. employer, police, teacher, youth worker, social worker, parent. Personal sectarianism can be open and explicit or covert and implicit. Examples of personal sectarianism can include: (a) being abusive, using sectarian slang and words (b) chanting sectarian songs (c) engaging in physical attacks based on religious / belief differences (d) allowing personal assumptions, prejudices or stereotypes on religious / belief issues to influence decisions e.g. regarding recruitment and selection of staff or students, condoning a culture which tolerates sectarian language and jokes in the workplace. An example of open and explicit personal sectarianism is a teacher who does not like pupils from particular beliefs, faiths or denominations, viewing them as problems in society and treating these pupils with less respect. Most people engage in personal sectarianism without realising that they are doing so. For example, dismissing using sectarian slang at football matches as being acceptable provided it is done within match time only.
Sectarianism (religious)	A narrow-minded following of a particular belief by members of a denomination that leads to prejudice, bigotry, discrimination, malice and ill-will towards members, or presumed members, of another denomination. Sectarianism can occur in different ways, either at an individual, group, cultural or institutional level.
Sectarianism (structural)	This is the broadest level and refers to political and economic processes at play. There is often no deliberate policy to discriminate but actions at public policy, political or economic level but affect one denominational grouping more than another. For example, housing in a particular area is demolished to pave the way for a new supermarket. Most of the people living in that area are of lower income levels. It is also the case that those who are on lower income levels in that part of the town tended to belong to one denominational group and would therefore be affected in greater numbers. A local council planning committee unaware of this or unheeding of this will have contributed to structural sectarianism.
Secularism	The word secular means "of this world" in Latin and is the opposite of religious. As a doctrine, secularism is usually used in reference to any philosophy which forms its ethics without reference to religious dogmas and which promotes the development of human art and science separate from religion.
Sikhism	Sikhism was founded in the Punjab by Guru Nanak and is a monotheistic religion. Sikhs think religion should be practiced by living in the world and coping with life's everyday problems. Sikhism is the youngest of the great world faiths. There are 20 million Sikhs in the world, most living in India. Sikhism is Britain's third most popular religion, with about half a million Sikhs living in the UK.
Spirituality	The state, quality, manner, or fact of being spiritual.
Stereotype / Stereotyping	A pre-conceived and usually oversimplified conception of a characteristic(s), which typify a person/group of people / thing. Presuming that a group of people will share a specific characteristic.