A new report has found that Catholic students and teachers are sometimes targeted for bullying in Irish schools, and that teachers see evidence of pressure on students to hide their religion.
The survey of 214 Religious Education teachers, conducted by the National Anti-Bullying Research and Resource Centre in Dublin City University, found that students who practised their faith, particularly those who are Catholic, are a vulnerable group.
The “Religious Inclusive Education” report, which was authored by Dr. Amalee Meehan and Derek A. Laffan MSc, said that students who are open about their faith can experience hostility from other students in secondary schools – and also even from staff.
“Expressing religious based convictions can lead to low level bullying by staff members … e.g. expressing anti-abortion views”, noted one of those surveyed.
“Holding a religious worldview can be a lonely experience in modern Ireland”, one of the respondents told researchers.
The report found that those who identify as Catholic are the group most likely to be associated to negative stereotypes, while those who identify as atheist are at the opposite end of the spectrum.
Amongst the concerns expressed by respondents was the prevalence of anti-religious views and stereotypes, such as ‘the lazy way that Muslims can be categorised as terrorists, and Catholics as paedophiles or supportive of such behaviour’.
“It is socially acceptable in Ireland to insult and belittle Catholics and Catholicism”, noted one of the teachers. It is seen as archaic to hold Catholic values, said another.
Commenting on the report, the Iona Institute noted that “Religiously committed students feel vulnerable as they are a minority in Irish schools now. A different study mentioned in the report claims that when religious students are forced to conceal or deny their identity, both their personal and the school’s well-being are compromised.”
“This has particular implications for Irish schools, where it seems that some young people are religious at some level, but may not want to appear so”, noted the authors of the report.
Religious education teachers also said they experienced hostility. “They spoke of ‘having to apologise for being Catholic’ and ‘having to justify a Catholic ethos,” the report said.
“The teachers said that faith schools are inaccurately portrayed in the Irish media and depicted in Irish society, noting that a secular agenda can often be promoted, instead of a fully inclusive one which respect all faiths,” Dr Angelo Bottone of Iona Institute said.
The report acknowledges the importance of religious education in preparing young people to live in a global society. “Further attention needs to be given to creating inclusive classrooms in which the beliefs and sensibilities of every child is respected.”, it says.
“Obviously, this cannot be achieved without recognising the problem that this study raises, i.e. practicing Catholics are being bullied because of their faith,” said Dr Bottone.
“When society in general is becoming more hostile to religious believers, and especially the Catholic faith, the findings of this valuable new study shouldn’t come as much of a surprise.”