Anti-sectarianism

Introduction

Religious sectarianism is 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.

A denomination is a division or grouping within a faith. For example, Protestants and Catholics within Christianity, Sunni and Shia within Islam, and Orthodox and Reform within Judaism. Denominations within one faith share the same basic (fundamental) elements of the faith but they have differing practices or differing interpretations of specific elements of the faith.

Sectarianism in Scotland is often related to Protestant/Catholic divisions. In tackling sectarianism, it is helpful to understand that sectarianism occurs within other faiths as well as Christianity and is a feature of religious intolerance.